During December 1981 XL361, based at Waddington, was on its way to Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. En route she developed a fault necessitating landing at Goose Bay. During final approach fire warning lights displayed in the cockpit It landed safely and it taxied in to a dispersal pan, accompanied by the emergency services. After shut down it was discovered that there had indeed been a fire in the fuselage which had burnt out a few cable looms which caused a lot of the warning lights in the cockpit. She was actually quite lucky to get down safely. She sat in the hangar for ages waiting for a decision on her future, and with the Vulcan fleet being scrapped the obvious decision was taken to not spend time and effort trying to repair her. Thus the stricken aircraft was struck off charge. Goose Bay has long had (and still has) close links to the RAF. Many low level exercises are carried out from this base, and so when the Happy Valley townsfolk requested that XL361 be given to them to use as a symbol of friendship the decision was taken to present the Vulcan to the community as a gift. Below is a copy of the letter outlining the offer.
The Town Clerk replies to Wing Commander Patterson's offer...
In order for the Goose Bay community to receive the Vulcan they had to sign a certificate of acceptance. Thus preventing the RAF from becoming entangled in any problems should they arise.
Below are a number of pictures taken at Goose Bay
The tail fin of XL361 (note 9 squadron bat insignia).
XL361 photographed during the Summer months.
Note the slight bulge at the top of the tail fin.
Goose Bay during the Summer allows XL361 a well
earned rest in the sunshine. Click on any of the above pictures for a full size version. |
