Vulcan project closes on 6th of March if $1M isnt raised

Mark_Pilkington · **Posted:** Tue Mar 03, 2009 3:25 pm

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The Flying Vulcan project in the UK will close down on the 6th of March if 1 million UK pounds is'nt raised in the current appeal,
which currently stands at just over 700k with 2 & 1/2 days to go!

For those who want to support the project, now is the time to step forward.

http://www.vulcantothesky.org/

Quote:

XH558 Will Be Grounded
In
02 Days, 10:34:27 Pledged £708,698

Quote:

Vulcan '09 Pledge Campaign
<-- TIME IS RUNNING OUT

Vulcan XH558 will be grounded forever, unless further funding of £1million is identified by early March. This funding will allow the project to pay its monthly expenses, clear debt and provide a stable financial footing for the future.

But why is your Vulcan so important?
In a word - EDUCATION!

In line with our motto "Honouring the Past, Inspiring the Future", we returned XH558 to display status for two educational reasons:

To teach Britain's youth about the pivotal role that Britain played in the Western World's defence at a time of political uncertainty and instability

To inspire our children and grandchildren to choose a career in Britain's design, engineering and scientific industries

Vulcan XH558 is not privately owned, but operated as a National Heritage Asset. She belongs to every man, woman and child in Britain and is an iconic and emotive example of Britain's pivotal position in World technology and foreign affairs.

'The Vulcan Effect' is a unique and powerful tool - without your immediate help it will be gone forever.

The Vulcan '09 Pledge Campaign will raise those funds so please sign up now (via the Pledge button) and play your part in securing the future of the world's only flying Vulcan. Your pledge will only be called upon when we are confident of reaching the target.

Please help us weather this economic Perfect Storm; we are working on a new business model aimed at avoiding this situation arising again next year.

Please remember that even a relatively small monthly pledge is a significant help - supporters have already pledged in excess of £410,000, with a significant proportion coming from the intensive efforts of members of the Vulcan to the Sky Club.

Thanks to all who are intent on keeping XH558 flying and thrilling through 2009.

To Make A Pledge Click Here
http://www.vulcantothesky.org/pledge1.asp

Robert Pleming
24th February 2009

good luck and fingers crossed for the project team and volunteers,

Regards

Mark Pilkington

Mark_Pilkington · **Posted:** Wed Mar 04, 2009 5:53 am

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4 hours into the second last day, and another 100k pledged since the same time yesterday!, thats two days running of 100k pledges!!

XH558 Will Be Grounded
In
01 Days, 20:15:19 Pledged £742,650

With just under 2 days to go a total in the order of 950k is well within target if the 100k average is maintained.

Quite impressive given the economic outlook? and recession in place!

Again well done to those doing the hard work.

http://www.vulcantothesky.org/

Quote:

Vulcan '09 Pledge Campaign
<-- TIME IS RUNNING OUT

Vulcan XH558 will be grounded forever, unless further funding of £1million is identified by early March. This funding will allow the project to pay its monthly expenses, clear debt and provide a stable financial footing for the future.

To Make A Pledge Click Here
http://www.vulcantothesky.org/pledge1.asp

Fingers crossed for them

regards

Mark Pilkington

Dan K · **Posted:** Wed Mar 04, 2009 8:01 am

The website counter indicates there are 280 days to go. So what's the real story?

EXPAT0149 · **Joined:** Fri Nov 18, 2005 9:44 am **Posts:** 163

1day 23 hours

noizeedave · **Posted:** Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:18 am

Yeah I need $1 Million US Dollars to build a hanger, clear debt and fund this years flying and theres only 1 week left, so start throwing money my way to keep my bombers flying too!
Paypal link on our website! hahaha

Vulture · **Joined:** Tue Nov 07, 2006 11:44 pm **Posts:** 202

Ok ... bash me if you wish, but as much as I want to continue to see the vulcan fly I dont like the ..."it will be your fault that we turn her into a museum static aircraft" promotion. (see the video link on their site at the bottom)

I am sure we all have projects that you would like to get flying too but one would assume that originators of this program would have had a better plan to keep her in the air for x time. Was this just an excersise in "I told you so?". You spend 5 plus million pounds for a couple air shows?

I see someone like Art Nalls with the harrier and he got that aircraft operational and had the financial ability to do so. Yes I understand he is seeking sponsors to reduce the financial burden but he has not gone to the public to plea for funds to keep his dream flying, or for that matter to get it flying.

The point is, something just does not sit right with me when it comes to the financial side of this project. Don't get me wrong, very impressive but the negative marketing to me is a true turn off. It is truly not a viable program if every year you have to beg for money to keep her going.

Some suggestions to consider (you may have already tried):
1) funding from the heritage section of your government
2) Annual Million Dollar International Lottery (flights, T-shirts etc...)
3) Economies of Scale, with the infrastructure for this aircraft what about other aircraft as a complete heritage flight? could that broaden the appeal for donors?

I am sure there are other possibilities, but one thing I think is critical is for the Vulcan to survive it must be able to establish a clear financial path wherein the program generates residual income or the public will tire for calls of help (in a positive or negative marketing program)

V

HogDriver44 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:38 pm

Vulture wrote:

It is truly not a viable program if every year you have to beg for money to keep her going.

Isn't that the slogan of National Public Radio (NPR)? :wink:

Mudge · **Posted:** Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:52 pm

Didn't we beat this to death a while back? I seem to remember that it got kinda' hostile. I even got invited to "step outside".

Mudge the historian :roll:

EXPAT0149 · **Joined:** Fri Nov 18, 2005 9:44 am **Posts:** 163

Thats right Mudge cannons at ten paces if im not there start without me

JDK · **Posted:** Thu Mar 05, 2009 3:27 am

Mudge wrote:

Didn't we beat this to death a while back?

It's not quite dead, although I detect a hint of 'Norwegian Blue' around the gills.

Anyone tempted to shore up the project might like to bear in mind that the current funding 'request' just keeps the ongoing circus in the game - it doesn't (AFAIK) deal with the 2009 show season, nor further plans beyond.

IMHO, the current request for funds is just delaying the inevitable (and I suspect, imminent even with the requested funding) failure of the project.

More specifically, while I tip my hat to the engineers, I wouldn't trust the current management and publicity team with running a toilet.

Just, of course, my opinion.

Richard Woods · **Posted:** Thu Mar 05, 2009 3:41 am

JDK wrote:

Anyone tempted to shore up the project might like to bear in mind that the current funding 'request' just keeps the ongoing circus in the game - it doesn't (AFAIK) deal with the 2009 show season, nor further plans beyond.

IMHO, the current request for funds is just delaying the inevitable (and I suspect, imminent even with the requested funding) failure of the project.

More specifically, while I tip my hat to the engineers, I wouldn't trust the current management and publicity team with running a toilet.

Just, of course, my opinion.

I'll second that, as its more or less mirrors my own opinions. I just don't see what their phobia of turning the aircraft into a ground exhibit is.

Regards

Ric

JDK · **Posted:** Thu Mar 05, 2009 3:50 am

Richard Woods wrote:

I'll second that, as its more or less mirrors my own opinions. I just don't see what their phobia of turning the aircraft into a ground exhibit is.

Sure. H*ll, if I saw a viable plan to keep a Vulcan in the air, I'd be behind it. I just don't think there is one, and I certainly don't think the current team would know one if it bit them.

Mark_Pilkington · **Posted:** Thu Mar 05, 2009 4:46 am

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Three hours into the "final day", and effectively another @100k raised (90k in 23 hours) thats now 3 days of @100k on the roll, suggesting a result in the order of 950k+ subject to a final day surge!

I have to say I was a pessimistic doubter of the ability of the team to pull this off, but the proof appears to be there. (yes I know pledges dont directly convert to donations), again good luck to them and well done.

Quote:

XH558 Will Be Grounded
In
00 Days, 21:24:30 Pledged £833,517

http://www.vulcantothesky.org/

Quote:

Vulcan '09 Pledge Campaign
<-- TIME IS RUNNING OUT

Vulcan XH558 will be grounded forever, unless further funding of £1million is identified by early March. This funding will allow the project to pay its monthly expenses, clear debt and provide a stable financial footing for the future.

To Make A Pledge Click Here
http://www.vulcantothesky.org/pledge1.asp

Looks like the Vulcan will fly through 2009 and subject to a revised business plan and membership subscriptions might have a possibility of ongoing flight? (who would have thought that possible without an intervention by HLF or sole benefactor?)

Fingers crossed for them

regards

Mark Pilkington

JDK · **Posted:** Thu Mar 05, 2009 5:15 am

VTS wrote:

...This funding will allow the project to pay its monthly expenses, clear debt and provide a stable financial footing for the future.

How far into the future, and how 'stable'?

The creative accounting shown by the organisation so far, coupled with a remarkable lack of actual solid facts, makes me sceptical of the truth of the predicted security. If we get to mid 2009 without more begging from VTS, I'll be amazed.

Mark_Pilkington · **Posted:** Thu Mar 05, 2009 5:34 am

Quote:

VTS wrote:
...This funding will allow the project to pay its monthly expenses, clear debt and provide a stable financial footing for the future.

well of course VTS will be judged by their reforms etc being put in place (if in fact this pledge buys them time to do so)

We have all doubted its ability to get this far, they wont be able to run this same campaign every year.

Regards

Mark Pilkington

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Vulcan project closes on 6th of March if $1M isnt raised

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