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Thousands watch Vulcan bomber’s border flypast

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By Fiona Reid
Annan and Eskdale
Thousands watch Vulcan bomber's border flypast

HUNDREDS looked skywards in the border country on Saturday afternoon for the last chance to see an iconic Vulcan XH558 bomber in the air.

The British-built aircraft, which played a key role in the UK’s defence during the Cold War, was on a two-day final tour before being grounded.

Country roads between Gretna and Brampton were busy with aviation enthusiasts and other spectators hoping to get a glimpse of the Vulcan’s once familiar v-shape silhouette and hear the distinctive loud engines.

They were not disappointed as the delta-winged aircraft, which was visiting 17 locations around the UK, made several circuits of the countryside around Crosby-on-Eden airport, at times tilting it wings in a final airborne salute.IMG_3801

A charity maintains what is thought to the last air-worthy Vulcan in the world but costs and lack of parts have meant it will become a ground-based attraction after this summer.

David Kirkpatrick, a committee member at the Solway Aviation Museum at the airport, explained the tribute fly-past came about because parts from their own ground-based Vulcan had been donated to keep the last one flying longer.

He said: “We estimated there were around 4,500 people at or in the vicinity of the airport. It was a fantastic turnout which demonstrates the level of interest in these remarkable aircraft.”

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