Vulcan Restoration Trust

Home
United Kingdom
Southend-on-Sea
Vulcan Restoration Trust

Directions Website

Welcome to the official page of the Vulcan Restoration Trust, the registered charity that cares for Avro Vulcan B2 serial number XL426 at Southend
(251)

Welcome to the official page of the Vulcan Restoration Trust, the registered charity that cares for Avro Vulcan B2 XL426 at London Southend Airport, Essex, known as the 'Southend Vulcan'.

02/11/2026

Meet the team behind XL426 💙

Steven Harvey has been part of the Vulcan Restoration Trust engineering team for 18 years, and over that time he has turned his hand to just about everything.

From repainting XL426 and working inside the fuel tanks, to supporting taxi runs as part of the ground crew, Steven has also been involved in air-start operations, tow bar work and parachute recovery.

For Steven, though, it’s about much more than the jobs themselves.
“The best thing about being with XL426 is getting to hear that marvellous Vulcan howl and helping keep the aircraft in such good condition. We have a great team and, after all these years, it really does feel like a family.
XL426 is my local Vulcan, so she’s very special to me. It’s important that we keep XL426 howling so people can continue to hear those engines roar.”

Fuel the Howl is helping us raise £20,000 towards replacing 64 high-pressure fuel hoses across XL426’s four Olympus engines — one of the many pieces of engineering work that helps keep her operational.
And behind every job is a team of volunteers like Steven making it happen.

👉 Support Fuel the Howl: https://vulcanrestorationtrust.enthuse.com/cf/fuel-the-howl

01/11/2026

Engineering update; Saturday 31st October 👻

XL426 feels a little lighter this weekend as the Engineering team spent the day removing panels, lowering balance bay doors & finally, removing the rudder PFCUS.

The panels removed are the fuel tank panels. We will fully inspect 👀 the surrounding structure round these as part of our maintenance this winter ❄️. Similarly, the balance bay panels have been lowered for inspection of the structure & electrics within this area of XL426.

The rudder bay PFCUS were removed for servicing & an overhaul. The PFCUs; Powered Flying Control Units; are electro hydrualic units that power the flying surfaces to either go up and down (elevons) or in case of the rudder, left & right.

Whilst these PFCUs are out of the aircraft, we are taking the opportunity to change some of the bushes & bearings on the rudder system.

Finally, Fuel The Howl 🔊 gets ever closer as we started to disconect & remove components ready to lower the engines.

Pictures with thanks to Jason Gore Photography & others.

#

31/10/2026

Spooktacular Howloween moments at the hangar 👻🔊

29/10/2026

In memory of all the ex crew on XL426, this is why the want to keep her alive & running 🔊✈️🛠

https://vulcanrestorationtrust.enthuse.com/cf/fuel-the-howl

Video, with thanks to Andy Lockwood

28/10/2026

❓️Why replace something before it causes a problem🤔

Because that’s exactly what planned maintenance is for.

XL426’s 64 high-pressure fuel hoses are approaching the end of their service life and are due for renewal.
It’s one of the less visible jobs involved in keeping a Vulcan operational — but an important one.

🎥 Here’s why the work needs doing.

Have you ever thought about how much unseen maintenance goes into keeping XL426 running?

👉 Support Fuel the Howl: https://vulcanrestorationtrust.enthuse.com/cf/fuel-the-howl

25/10/2026

Engineering update, Saturday 24th October 🌧☔️

Preparations for winter maintanence are fully underway in hangar 6 🛠. N0 1 & 2 engines are being removed so we can replace the fuel hoses 🔊

The end caps & engine doors have been removed & the oil drained in preparation for this work.

These silver end caps look like a simple piece of XL426, however, they are held in by a number of screws & bolts, and, being an Avro design, they aren't easy to reach!

Over the next few weeks we are planning to remove the 2 engines then XL426 will go up on her jacks for further maintenance work.

23/10/2026

It is with deep sadness that we report that our Hangar Shop Manager, Peter Waghorn, passed away on 18th October.

He had been unwell for sometime, He died peacefully in Southend Hospital.

Peter had been a volunteer with the Vulcan Restoration Trust for over 10 years. Initially, he welcomed visitors at our Visit the Vulcan Days, showing them around Vulcan XL426. Then at one event he was asked to help out selling memorabilia and, in his own words: "Things sort of spiralled from there".

He played a huge role transforming our retail operation from one housed in a marquee to the fully fledged Hangar shop we now have

He was a charming guy with a heart of gold and the driest of sense of humour. He also had a deep passion for aviation, in particular XL426.

Peter will be greatly missed by everyone at the Vulcan Restoration Trust.

We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife, Hazel, and his family and friends at this sad and difficult time.

22/10/2026

to 2020 & our, rather wet 🌧 high speed taxi.

This is why we have launched , our fundraising campaign to replace 64 fuel hoses 🔊

https://vulcanrestorationtrust.enthuse.com/cf/fuel-the-howl

Thanks to Andy Lockwood for the great video 🙏

18/10/2026

Engineering update, Saturday 17th October, part 2!

Canopy off, seat out and now ready for jacks & trestles. Then the real engineering work begins.

Have you seen our fundraising campaign? We are raising much needed funds to replace 64 high-pressure fuel hoses across XL426’s four Olympus engines.
Find out more here 👉

https://vulcanrestorationtrust.enthuse.com/cf/fuel-the-howl

17/10/2026

Engineering update, Saturday 17th October 2026.

Expertly towed by engineering team Volunteer Nick, XL426 heads into the hangar where she will remain for the winter ❄️

The team will be inspecting & servicing all the essential systems & carrying out any repairs needed. Including replacing the fuel hoses on engines 1 & 2

Address

London Southend Airport
Southend-on-Sea
SS26YF

Website

http://avrovulcan.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Vulcan Restoration Trust posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.