The Vulcan to the Sky trust - which after years of restoration and around £7m succeeded in getting Vulcan XH558 back into the air - is looking for an emergency injection of cash to keep the aircraft flying:

Pledges as of this morning stood at £951,163 - a tad short of the £1m required. However, today is pretty well the deadline, because the trust says that if it doesn't get the necessary cash as of 6 March it "will be destined to rapidly go into administration, which would inevitably lead to the sale of the aircraft, probably to an American buyer".

And if that chilling threat doesn't do the trick, nothing will. You can make a pledge at the trust's website, or by phone on 0116 247 8145. If you're a bit cash-strapped yourself, sign the Downing Street e-petition demanding that the "Vulcan XH558 project receives sufficient funding to enable it to continue 'Honouring the past and inspiring the future'". ®

Bootnote

Just to clarify: If the trust doesn't hit the £1m target, it will not call in the pledges.

Related stories

• Updated Restored Vulcan takes to the skies (18 October 2007)
• Vulcan bomber project reaches for the sky (4 September 2006)
• Pub landlord secures Vulcan for £15k (8 November 2004)