Wingtip to wingtip, two legendary warriors of the air reach for the sky



They are two of Britain’s most iconic aircraft – but they have rarely taken to the skies together.

The world’s last flying Vulcan, our most potent nuclear deterrent during the Cold War, dwarfed the Mk XIX Spitfire during a flypast.

To the delight of onlookers, the aircraft flew in tight formation over Bass Rock, an island in the Firth of Forth in the east of Scotland, after an air show at RAF Leuchars last weekend.

Flying high: The Vulcan, top, and the Mk XIX Spitfire on their flypast over Bass Rock

Vulcan XH558 was close to being grounded for ever this year until an 11th-hour Mail on Sunday campaign helped to raise £500,000 in just five days keep it flying.

The V-bomber was built in 1960 and flew for the first time in 15 years in 2007 after a £7million restoration project.

But the money needed to maintain it had nearly run dry before the Vulcan to the Sky Trust launched its fundraising campaign in March.

The Trust is urging readers to keep donations rolling in.