By Cheryl Wood

IT WAS A momentous occasion for air enthusiasts when an Avro Vulcan touched down at Leuchars yesterday.

The Delta-winged bomber is one of the highlights of this year’s air show programme, which also features the Red Arrows, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the Eurofighter Typhoon.

The Vulcan formed part of the V-Bomber Force during the cold war era, acting as a nuclear deterrent to the Soviet Union.

It was also used as a conventional bomber during the Falklands War before being withdrawn from service in 1984.

XH558 is the last remaining Vulcan in flying condition and, after more than 15 years spent languishing in a hangar in Bruntingthorpe, it has returned to the skies thanks to a £7 million restoration project— although its future remains uncertain.

The iconic aircraft last flew at Leuchars in the 1990 air show.

As it touched down yesterday one man who flew the Vulcan was there to see it.

David McIntyre, who lives near Meigle, Perthshire, flew Vulcans for four years in the early 1960s during his 16 years in the RAF.

He was shown inside the aircraft by Vulcan To The Sky Trust chief pilot David Thomas, and described the experience as “wonderful.”

He said, “It brings back an awful lot of memories.

“The aircraft is as beautiful as it ever was.

“People struggle to find the right words to describe the Vulcan, but I think it is like geese flying past.

“It has the grace of something that is really meant to fly.”

The Vulcan was flown into Leuchars by Mr Thomas, who flew it into retirement on March 23, 1993.

He told The Courier that following its restoration the Vulcan handled “absolutely delightfully,” and that it was a “privilege” to be displaying it again.

He added, “It has taken us a little bit of time to get back to the old standards, but we are getting there.”

Since being granted its permit to fly in July, Vulcan XH558 has displayed at a number of major air shows across the UK, attracting record crowds.

But without commercial sponsorship the Leuchars display could be one of its last, as a further £1.6 million is needed to keep it flying.

The Vulcan is among 110 aircraft that will take to the skies over Leuchars today, including a first world war SE5a Scout biplane.

Station commander Air Commodore Clive Bairsto said he expected the show—which coincides with the 90th anniversary of the RAF—to be a “thrilling” event, and internet ticket sales were up 22%.

He said, “It’s looking like a really good year, not least because the Vulcan is coming.

“For us, this is an important year—it’s the 68th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and it’s the 90th anniversary of the RAF.”

The Red Arrows will be performing a unique sequence, and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be displaying its Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane.

Ground and air displays will include aircraft from around the world and from throughout the ages.

Forecasters are predicting a cloudy morning with a little rain, but the tens of thousands of spectators expected to converge on the base should enjoy a dry and bright day later.