20180217_AVRO Vulcan B2 "XL426" at Southend Airport (EGMC).
A Cold War Avro Vulcan photoshoot with B2 XL426 at Southend Airport, Saturday 17th February 2018., organized by TIMELINE EVENTS https://www.timelineevents.org/).
"XL426" is a Vulcan B2 and was the 44th out of 88 Vulcan B2s built. Her maiden flight was 23rd August 1962; she entered service with 83 squadron at RAF Scampton in September 1962. When delivered, she wore an anti-flash white colour scheme and was armed with a Blue Steel stand-off missile. XL426 was the personal aircraft of the then CO 83 Squadron, Wing Commander John Slessors from 1962 to 1965. On 10th September 1963, whilst returning from training at Goose Bay in Canada, John Slessor flew XL426 to RAF Scampton in 4 hours 5 minutes - then an unofficial North Atlantic record crossing. From 1962 till 1986 she flew with 27, 83, 50 and 617 squadrons. In 1981 she was the last Vulcan to undergo a major service at RAF St Athan. On 12th October 1982 she lead three Vulcans in the Falklands Victory Parade flypast over London, even though XL426 was not deployed to war. She was the founder aircraft of the RAF's Vulcan Display Flight from 1984-1986, which XH558 continued till 1993. Finally, she landed at Southend Airport for the last time on 19th December 1986, having clocked up 6236 flying hours. The Vulcan Restoration Trust was formed on 28th July 1993 to keep XL426 in live taxing condition. The aircraft is looked after by a dedicated team of Vulcan enthusiasts and the VRT has a membership of over 550 people. She is now in a 1980's wrap-around camouflage colour scheme and wears the crest of 617 squadrons on one side of her tail and 50 squadrons on the other.
Read More"XL426" is a Vulcan B2 and was the 44th out of 88 Vulcan B2s built. Her maiden flight was 23rd August 1962; she entered service with 83 squadron at RAF Scampton in September 1962. When delivered, she wore an anti-flash white colour scheme and was armed with a Blue Steel stand-off missile. XL426 was the personal aircraft of the then CO 83 Squadron, Wing Commander John Slessors from 1962 to 1965. On 10th September 1963, whilst returning from training at Goose Bay in Canada, John Slessor flew XL426 to RAF Scampton in 4 hours 5 minutes - then an unofficial North Atlantic record crossing. From 1962 till 1986 she flew with 27, 83, 50 and 617 squadrons. In 1981 she was the last Vulcan to undergo a major service at RAF St Athan. On 12th October 1982 she lead three Vulcans in the Falklands Victory Parade flypast over London, even though XL426 was not deployed to war. She was the founder aircraft of the RAF's Vulcan Display Flight from 1984-1986, which XH558 continued till 1993. Finally, she landed at Southend Airport for the last time on 19th December 1986, having clocked up 6236 flying hours. The Vulcan Restoration Trust was formed on 28th July 1993 to keep XL426 in live taxing condition. The aircraft is looked after by a dedicated team of Vulcan enthusiasts and the VRT has a membership of over 550 people. She is now in a 1980's wrap-around camouflage colour scheme and wears the crest of 617 squadrons on one side of her tail and 50 squadrons on the other.
