Skip to content

Cold War-era plane set to stay at former airport

John Dibbs XH558 among the cloudsJohn Dibbs
XH558 was the last Vulcan bomber to fly in military service

One of the last Cold War bombers will remain on display in South Yorkshire after it was confirmed that its home, the former Doncaster Sheffield airport, may reopen in 2026.

The Avro Vulcan XH558 Spirit of Great Britain, which was built in about 1960, was the last of the iconic bombers in military service and, after 1986, was the last to fly at all.

The aircraft has been permanently grounded at Doncaster Sheffield Airport for the past 13 years, but the charity dedicated to preserving the aircraft was given notice to quit after the airport’s closure was announced in 2022.

However, the Vulcan to the Sky Trust (VTST) said it now had the support of Doncaster City Council to stay there "long term".

Marc Walters, chief executive of VTST, said: "This is fantastic news for the charity and its supporters as we feel that XH558 is in the right location, owing to her history and links with the airport, the former RAF Finningley."

Mike Kirby/Geograph XH558 on the groundMike Kirby/Geograph
XH558 has been based in South Yorkshire since 2011 and last flew in 2015

Vulcan bombers carried Britain's nuclear deterrent during part of the Cold War. They were retired from RAF service in 1993.

Vulcan XH558's last ever flight was in 2015.

Mr Walters said keeping the jet at its current home, where it had been based since 2011, "meant a great deal to us all".

In November, Doncaster Council said a new operator for the former airport had been identified and suggested the first passenger flights could take off within 18 months.

It also said reopening the airport would create about 5,000 jobs and transform the region with an aviation hub.

Walter Baxter/Geograph XH558 flying over a seaside townWalter Baxter/Geograph
XH558 was seen flying across England in a series of flypasts as part of its farewell tour in 2015

Christian Foster, programme director for South Yorkshire Airport City, said: “We are looking forward to working with the VTST to put a lease in place that gives them some long-term security."

Since Vulcan XH558 has been at Doncaster Sheffield Airport it has attracted thousands of visitors.

The VTST said it was planning to create a Vulcan Experience at the site in the future.

Mr Foster said: "It is important her welcome in Doncaster is extended and supporters are once again given the opportunity to see this feat of engineering up close.”

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.