IDEALLY, it would be nice to be able to preserve every example of new technology for posterity – from the humble bicycle to the largest battleship – but as inventions become more complex, the ability to do this becomes increasingly more difficult.

This seems to be the case with the recently restored Vulcan bomber, which has had to be retired to its hanger.

To preserve an old biplane was relatively easy, even if practically all the woodwork had to be replaced but, even here, finding suitable engines could be a problem.

Many dedicated people still try to restore what are virtually wrecks, to give others a chance to experience what these old machines were really like.

Regarding the V bombers, there were originally three of them. The Vickers Valliant, the Avro Vulcan and the Handly Page Victor. The Valliant and the Victor have long since gone and there is only the one example of the Vulcan remaining.

One experience that I will long remember was, at an air show at Gaydon, when all three V bombers took off simultaneously and, with afterburners on, went skyward almost vertically. We will never see the like of that again.

DERRICK HOLT Fortnam Close Headington Oxford