FANS of icon of the skies, the Vulcan bomber, were treated to a special farewell flypast across southern England last Sunday, which took in Dunsfold Aerodrome.

The Cold War nuclear warplane Avro Vulcan XH558 took off from Doncaster at 1pm for its “Farewell to Flight” southern loop, following a trip across the north of the country 24 hours earlier.

The delta wing bomber powered across the sky over Dunsfold at 2.15pm. The aerodrome played a key role in the development of the Avro. In March 1951, Hawker Aviation used the airfield to show off the result of its delta-wing development work in a dramatic display.

The Vulcan to the Sky’s Avro is the last airworthy aircraft but will end its flying career at the end of this year’s flying season. The authorities responsible for evaluating its safety have decided to cease their support on the grounds that although currently safe to fly, it has already flown 10 per cent beyond the hours of any other Vulcan, so knowing where to look for any possible failure is becoming more difficult to predict accurately.

Huge crowds gathered in vantage points in Dover, Bristol, Cardiff and Gloucester to catch a final glimpse of the Avro’s southern tour.

The flypast also took in Lurgashall, where Vulcan display commentator and Vulcan team member Sean Maffett stays with resident Jacquie Lawson when it appears at Dunsfold Park’s annual Wings and Wheels air show.

Jim McAllister, chief executive of The Rutland Group, which manages Dunsfold Park, said: “We have been fortunate enough to witness the Vulcan fly at Wings and Wheels over the years and she never fails to enthral.

“We were delighted that Dunsfold was included in the farewell tour on Sunday.

“It was emotional watching such an iconic aircraft fly around the aerodrome one last time and there were a few tearful eyes watching her as she disappeared into the distance. She will be sadly missed.”