Cold War at Night

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.