Historic South Yorkshire Vulcan to unleash 'record breaking' howl for Halloween
A unique opportunity to hear the powerful 'howl' of the iconic Vulcan XH558 aircraft will be a highlight of a family-friendly Halloween event at Doncaster Sheffield Airport this year.
The Vulcan to the Sky Trust, a charity dedicated to preserving Britain's famous Vulcan XH558, is hosting its first-ever Halloween Howl on Saturday, October 31. The event aims to inspire a new generation of aviation enthusiasts by allowing visitors to experience the historic aircraft under power.
The XH558 is renowned for its distinctive 'howl', a sound generated by its four Rolls-Royce Olympus turbojets, each capable of producing between 17,000 and 20,000 lb of thrust. Attendees will be able to witness a stationary engine ground run from a designated viewing area at the engine test bay.
The team at Vulcan to the Sky Trust is aiming to break the one-minute mark for the engine run, a duration that would surpass similar events where other Vulcan aircraft have 'howled' for under a minute.
Craig Shepherd, CEO of Vulcan to the Sky Trust, emphasised the unique nature of the event. "Halloween Howl is a genuinely different event for families to enjoy together," he stated. "We’ve worked hard to make experiencing the Vulcan under power as accessible and affordable as possible, while still putting on a packed day of entertainment and activities."
Mr Shepherd added, "There is nothing quite like hearing XH558’s four Olympus engines come to life, and we’re hoping Halloween Howl will deliver one of the longest Vulcan Howls we’ve seen, with the team aiming to break the one-minute mark. That would be an incredible experience for everyone watching and a pretty unforgettable way to spend Halloween."
Beyond the thrilling engine run, the event will feature a display of the English Electric Canberra WK163, a classic vehicle exhibition, character appearances, various Halloween activities, and ongoing entertainment. Stalls and a range of food and drink options will also be available.
All visitors will receive foam earplugs for the engine run, with hearing protection being particularly crucial for children aged five to 15. Branded Vulcan XH558 over-ear hearing defenders will also be available for purchase at the Vulcan XH558 store.
Gates at Doncaster Sheffield Airport will open at 9am, with the event commencing at 10am. The last admission is 10.30am, and the event concludes at 2pm. The precise timing of the Vulcan engine run will be confirmed closer to the date, with final timings and joining instructions provided to ticket holders in advance.
Further information and tickets can be found at vulcantothesky.org/product/halloween-howl/.