Inspiring vision for Vulcan

Vulcan to the Sky Trust hopes the new engineering centre will inspire the young and continue the aircraft's legacy

The Vulcan to the Sky Trust is planning to create an engineering education and experience centre that will continue the aircraft’s legacy of inspiring the next generation of engineers. 

Dr Robert Pleming, the trust’s chief executive, said that the Vulcan aircraft would form a “living, breathing, inspiring centrepiece” of the centre, to be called Ve3.

Pleming said: “We have a vision to set up a site that has the aim of engaging youngsters and people of all ages in engineering and manufacturing with the centrepiece being the Vulcan. 

“We will retain the Vulcan in a ground-running condition and we will be able to taxi her fast with full power in the engines.”

He said that there was a real need to get students and teachers engaged in engineering and manufacturing. “We’ve heard that the teachers don’t necessarily think about engineering and manufacturing when they are discussing careers,” added Pleming.It is hoped that the centre will help to change that. 

The centre will also provide a home for the 1950s-built aircraft once it can no longer fly. “There is a huge amount of support, affection and love for the aeroplane in all the people that have seen her. We want to build on that to ensure it develops into something that has a lasting benefit,” said Pleming.

The Ve3 centre would be architecturally stunning and use modern materials. Plans are being discussed for it to house other inspiring examples of British engineering that can provide visitors with hands-on experiences of craft skills, thermodynamics and project management. The museum and tourist centre would present the engineer as a hero and use examples of post-war innovation to show how engineering touches everyone’s lives. Issues that engineers will face in the future will also be presented.

The proposed site for the development is Robin Hood airport in Doncaster, but the trust is open to other suggestions. It has opened a consultation to stimulate thought on the project and to encourage new ideas on how the centre can best meet the needs of the industry.

• To find out more about Vulcan to the Sky Trust see www.vulcantothesky.org