CROWDS at next month’s Bournemouth Air Festival are in for a double Vulcan Effect.
Organisers have confirmed that, thanks to two sponsorship deals, the legendary Cold War bomber will now display twice at the event, being held between August 18 and 21.
S&D Leisure will sponsor the Saturday display, while Bournemouth Airport will back the Sunday flight.
The Vulcan is operated by the Vulcan to the Sky Trust and relies on private cash to keep it in the air – it took 10 years and £7 million before she could take to the skies once more in 2007.
CEO of the trust, Dr Robert Pleming, said: “We have always said that Bournemouth is a real highlight for us.
“The flight path along the beach is glorious, the huge crowds very enthusiastic and the reception to the Vulcan is always extremely warm, so we’re very grateful to S&D Leisure for allowing us to extend the Vulcan effect to a second display.”
Stanley Reeves, owner of S&D Leisure, said: “We’re proud to support the Vulcan display on Saturday where she’ll be joining the Red Arrows and Tornado Role Demo for what I’m sure will be another great festival ‘power hour’. It’s certainly going to get loud.”
Jon Weaver, air festival director, added: “What a great addition to an already great flying programme. We’re so pleased to have the Vulcan for a second display, so a big thank you to S&D Leisure and Bournemouth Airport for their generous contribution.”
Sally Windsor, spokesperson for Bournemouth Airport, said: “The Vulcan is such a tremendous crowd-puller at every event she displays at, so the opportunity to bring her to Bournemouth was too tempting to pass up.”
The Vulcan to the Sky Trust has recently found a new home for the popular warbird at Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield Airport, where she was based in the 1960s when it was RAF Finningley.
Its aim now is to create a permanent home for the jet so that the trust’s hopes of educating and inspiring young people can be realised.
By Steven Smith at the Bournemouth Daily Echo
Read more at bournemouthecho.co.uk/bournemouth_air_festival or at bournemouthair.co.uk.