Vulcan returning ‘home’ to Southend hangar

Avro Vulcan B.2 XL426 is to be rolled into Hangar 6 at London Southend Airport on Saturday

The Vulcan Restoration Trust’s Avro Vulcan B.2 XL426 will be officially returned to Hangar 6 at London Southend Airport on October 15.

The building was XL426's home for a few short months in 2017 but the V bomber had to move outside again when other businesses were forced to relocate following a fire in another of the airport's hangars.

The hangar once again became vacant in 2021 and following discussions between London Southend Airport and the Vulcan Restoration Trust (VRT), an agreement was reached earlier this year to allow XL426 to move back inside. Since then, behind the scenes, volunteers have been working to prepare the area for the Vulcan’s return.

XL426 was withdrawn from RAF service in 1984 and became a display aircraft with the Vulcan Display Flight before being retired to its current home in 1986. VRT took over XL426 in 1993 and has since restored and maintained the aircraft to full ground running condition.

Vulcan B.2 XL426 is being returned to the safety of Hangar 6 at Southend
Vulcan B.2 XL426 is being returned to the safety of Hangar 6 at Southend BARRY WILLIAMS-VRT