Re:
I recently found out that an elderly neighbour of mine, who I have known for over twenty years was a Vulcan pilot. I only found this out when talking to another neighbour after the old chap moved into a retirement home.
When the Vulcan visited W-s-M a few weeks ago, Tom was on the sea front, watching, and I very much doubt anyone around him realised that he was a retired RAF pilot.
Although that demo is good to see, it is clear they are now being very gentle with the aircraft. Many years ago, when RAF Locking was still open, the Flowerdown air show used to be quite something, and I remember seeing a Vulcan being thrown around like a fighter.
My lasting memory was of the Vulcan flying low, all the way down the valley that ends in W-s-M. As he got to RAF Locking, the pilot pulled the nose up into a very steep climb.... and just kept it there until you could hear the engines, but even in a bright blue sky, you could hardly make out the shape of the Vulcan.