Historic bomber preserved with help from Rotherham engineers

Metrology staff from the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre scanned the restored plane, which is displayed at Doncaster Airport.

The result is an online interactive model of the Vulcan XH558, which completed its last flying season in 2015.

It will become the centrepiece of a new educational programme being developed by the Vulcan to the Sky Trust, which returned the aircraft to flight in 2007 — 14 years after its RAF service ended.

AMRC metrology group manager Richard James said: “Vulcan to the Sky want the virtual tour to form an integral part of their educational initiative.

“It will help the trust enhance their public outreach, allowing unprecedented access to the aircraft, with the public being able to see all around and inside the aircraft in great detail.

“And not only will the virtual model and tour maintain and promote the legacy of the Vulcan for educational purposes, it can also be used as a vital resource for maintaining and repairing legacy aircraft.”

Trust chief executive Robert Pleming said: “The results of AMRC’s work to produce a virtual tour are truly amazing. 

“I’m sure that the virtual tour will become a significant contributor to our educational activities around the Vulcan. Thank you AMRC, most sincerely.”

The technology used is more commonly utilised in the manufacturing sector to create simulations of factories.

View the virtual tour at tinyurl.com/xh558virtualtour.