The forthcoming 12th annual Abingdon Air & Country Show, taking place on Abingdon Airfield, Dalton Barracks on Sunday 8th May will feature a true british icon of the skys.

The mighty Avro Vulcan bomber is planned to kick start its 2011 display season by appearing at Abingdon, the first time in 21 years since its last appearance at the then annual  Battle of Britain At Home Days when Abingdon was a fulltime Royal Air Force Station.

This particular Vulcan, XH558, is the last and only surviving airworthy example in the world, now under private ownership. Her final flight in Royal Air Force service was on 23rd March 1993 to Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome in Leicestershire, having been sold off by the Ministry of Defence to C Walton Ltd. The Vulcan to the Sky Trust was formed, headed by Dr Robert Pleming to return the aircraft to flight,with funding helped by the Heritage Lottery Funds in December 2003 and restoration work starting in 2005.

This remarkable achievement came to an end on 18th October 2007 when XH558 flew again, the first time in 14 years with over £7 million pounds being spent on the project. Since then, it has been kept flying at airshows around the UK by donations from the huge fanbase of followers but is in constant need for financial support to help keeping her flying. More information on the Vulcan can be found at www.vulcantothesky.org

The Air & Country Show organiser Neil Porter said ' We are absolutely thrilled to have the Vulcan appear with us, on its first 2011 appearance. Last year our star was the Dutch F16 fighter for example, this year its this magnificent example of british aviation. We all hope the weather behaves, aircraft serviceability is 100% & funding to allow XH558 to fly down to us, display and return home which is Robin Hood Airport, Yorks'

' The aircraft has such a large following and is just as popular as the Red Arrows and Batle of Britain Memorial Flight!'

The Vulcan heads up a four hour flying display featuring both old and new including from the Royal Air Force, with the show featuring Static aircraft, Crafts, Tank rides, Live Music and many other attractions for all the family to enjoy. Advance tickets are on sale at local Tourist Information Centres, aswell as on the website:  www.abingdonfayre.com 

The show starts around 10am but people are advised to arrive earlier to avoid traffic queueing because the Vulcan certainly attracts large crowds!!!