Vulcan Restoration Trust Hangar Appeal

After serving with the Royal Air Force since 1962, Avro Vulcan XL426 was flown to London Southend Airport, Essex, in December 1986 for preservation as part of the UK's aviation heritage.

XL426 was displayed outside and, despite the wind and rain, our volunteers kept it in the very best condition as one of only three Vulcans in the world able to move under its own power.

In early 2017 we were informed that XL426 had to move to make way for extra car parking space. Our initial fears for the future were soon dispelled when the airport offered us the incredible opportunity to move XL426 to a new home in one of its vacant hangars.

Since the beginning of May our volunteers have been busy preparing Hangar 6 for XL426's arrival with the aircraft moving in on 26 May, under cover for the first time in 32 years.

London Southend Airport is assisting us with the move but we need more financial support so we can improve our engineering facilities and turn the hangar into a quality venue for the public to visit.

Our popular Visit the Vulcan Days attract many hundreds of visitors each year, all keen to see XL426 up close and learn more about its role protecting the UK during the Cold War.

We have an agreement for XL426 to occupy Hangar 6 for an initial five-year period. In keeping with our policy of total openness, we do point out that our lease includes a six-month break clause. However, the airport has indicated very strongly that it does not envisage ever implementing this.

Getting XL426 into a hangar is something we have dreamed about for many years and it is now a reality. The move indoors gives us a unique opportunity to preserve XL426 for many more years as well as increasing public access to the Vulcan by holding more open days and events.

A lot more work remains to be done so we have launched the VRT Hangar Appeal to raise the funds required and we hope you will contribute towards our cause.