FighterControl

As many of you are now aware, the aircraft is also undergoing a little bit of cosmetic treatment courtesy of a promotion kindly supported by the Sunday Express. Bringing in nearly £15,000 worth of additional income already, this is being directed at sprucing up the upper surface paint finish, and covers the materials and specialist contractor already hard at work, restoring her looks in what is a very important year of possibly high profile appearances. Area's to be painted are Tail Fin, Nose and Topside wings.

I will update this thread with photographs and video's as I take the images.


XH558 Painting April 2012 by Lewis Steeper - XH558 Photography, on Flickr


XH558 Painting April 2012 by Lewis Steeper - XH558 Photography, on Flickr


XH558 Painting April 2012 by Lewis Steeper - XH558 Photography, on Flickr


XH558 Painting April 2012 by Lewis Steeper - XH558 Photography, on Flickr


XH558 Painting April 2012 by Lewis Steeper - XH558 Photography, on Flickr


XH558 Painting April 2012 by Lewis Steeper - XH558 Photography, on Flickr


XH558 Painting April 2012 by Lewis Steeper - XH558 Photography, on Flickr


XH558 Painting April 2012 by Lewis Steeper - XH558 Photography, on Flickr


XH558 Painting April 2012 by Lewis Steeper - XH558 Photography, on Flickr


XH558 Painting April 2012 by Lewis Steeper - XH558 Photography, on Flickr


XH558 Painting April 2012 by Lewis Steeper - XH558 Photography, on Flickr


XH558 Painting April 2012 by Lewis Steeper - XH558 Photography, on Flickr

More to follow..

I have just noticed EADS on the undercarriage doors for the first time ever. How long have EADS been sponsoring XH558?

Aileron wrote:I have just noticed EADS on the undercarriage doors for the first time ever. How long have EADS been sponsoring XH558?

Looking back through the photograph archive, they were applied the week prior to 30/06/11.

Good to see the old beast getting a spruce up; it was definitely getting a bit shabby.

Its good to see a company like EADS sponsoring XH558. well done

Update on the painting.. the tailfin has now been painted and the wings were prepped ready for painting. Some shots prior to painting.










XH558

Looks Fantastic . Quick question though, I can see that it is painted in gloss, were the 2 tone camo ones always painted gloss?
Dan

Not an expert on these things, but the wraparound camo ones I've seen in service were more of a matte finish with a darker grey.

XH558 was repainted by the RAF when it became the official Vulcan Display aircraft, and for some reason they chose to use a lighter grey and a glossier finish.

Think it looks quite good though. The Sea Vixen looks lovely in it's glossy Navy scheme, and I think 558 will too once it's up and about.

I understand that the gloss finish is more hard-wearing than the matt. Some purists were outraged when the BBMF aircraft were refinished in gloss but the important thing is the preservation of the airframes - a slightly non-standard paint job is a small price to pay for the extra protection it provides.