After the 2nd World War, Great
Britain recognised the need to invest in a long-range bomber
capable of delivering a nuclear weapon. Through a unique set
of circumstances, the Royal Air force eventually ended up with
3 large Bombers capable of delivering this pay-load; the
Valliant, Victor and Vulcan. With its gigantic, delta-shaped
wing and sleek, graceful lines, the Avro Vulcan is one of the
most distinctive of these aircraft.
It is also one of the most
important... Its pioneering design was fundamental in
furthering our understanding of advanced aerodynamics, and it
helped develop technologies that would later be incorporated
into the design of Concorde. The Vulcan also found further
notoriety during the Falklands conflict where the soon to
retire Vulcan’s conducted the longest bombing raid in history
to ensure that the Port Stanley runway was put out of
commission, preventing further escalation of the war.
XL426 (pictured here) served with
the Royal Air Force from 1962 to 1986. Upon her retirement she
was purchased by a private buyer who had her flown to Southend
Airport, Essex. After many years of storage at the airport, in
1993 ownership was transferred to the Vulcan Restoration Trust
and the Trust began an extensive restoration programme to
bring her back to full ground running condition.
Vulcan
Restoration Trust is a registered charity that aims to
preserve and protect the aircraft and other related historical
objects for the benefit of the public and to demonstrate and
display such aircraft at public events. XL426 can be viewed
closely and seen taxiing down the Southend runway at regular
events held there throughout the year. |
