Peter and Shirley Odling at XH558

On a sunny Sunday 2nd March family, friends and fellow Freemasons from Falcon Lodge No 1416 gathered at Robin Hood Airport, formerly RAF Finningley, near Doncaster to celebrate the 90th birthday of WBro Peter Odling, PPGReg.

The Lodge had arranged a birthday surprise for Peter, an ex cold war Vulcan pilot who spent over 22 years in the RAF, to visit the 'Vulcan to the Sky' Trust based there and get up close to the last flying Vulcan, XH558, now sadly grounded since 2015. While the Vulcan is no longer allowed to fly, the goal of the Trust is to inspire the public with this remarkable aircraft’s history and legacy.

XH558 was withdrawn from RAF service in September 1984 and following a comprehensive restoration project, she took to the skies again in 2007. XH558 then went on to fly for eight more years, performing a second display career that many people never expected to see, but sadly, 2015 would be XH558’s final display season. While all her avionics, airframe and engines are maintained in operational condition she now is a ground based static display aircraft that attracts many visitors annually. The former RAF Finningley is now XH558’s final operational base.

In the early 1960s Peter was a member of the famous 617 "Dambusters" Squadron, flying Vulcans. During the visit to XH558, a certificate and letter of appreciation from the present Squadron Commander, Lt Col Mike Carty, was presented to Peter in recognition of his service and achievements with the squadron (image above). The visitors all marvelled as to Peter's depth of knowledge of the Vulcan and his clear fondness for this unique aircraft. This came to the fore when, at the end of the visit, Peter climbed once more into the cockpit and conducted the final shutdown actions for XH558 for the day, exercising the controls, the bomb bay doors, the air brakes, all regularly done to keep them in serviceable condition for future visitors.

Peter heads  to the cockpit

The party then retired back to the Trust offices for tea and chocolate birthday cake, where a rousing chorus of "happy birthday" was sung to celebrate the day. Peter was delighted to sign copies of his interesting book "Higher and Higher – a Vulcan Pilot’s Story", an illustrated account of his RAF career, which is sold in support of the Trust. A great read - well recommended and available from the Trust! Before departure home after an emotional and heartwarming day, Peter made a presentation of a cheque for £90 from Falcon Lodge in support of the Trust. The Trust could not have been more welcoming or helpful and the visitors gave them a round of applause in appreciation.

An unforgettable day in the company of two historic icons, Squadron Leader Peter Odling, RAF (retired) and Vulcan XH558.