Avro Vulcan B2 XL426 617 SQN, RAF Gan, Maldive Islands, 1972

Scanned from a 35mm slide

XL426 is a B2 Vulcan and was the 44th of the 88 Vulcan B2s built. In common with all other Vulcans, she was constructed by A V Roe & Co. at its Chadderton, and Woodford plants, and made her first flight, lasting 95 minutes, from Woodford on August 23rd, 1962. After four further test flights, XL426 was collected by an RAF crew and entered service with 83 Squadron at RAF Scampton on September 13th, 1962.

XL426 Squadron History

13/08/62 First flight
07/09/62 Awaiting collection
13/09/62 83 Squadron
21/06/65 Hawker Siddeley for refit
14/03/66 Scampton Wing
19/07/66 Hawker Siddeley for modifications
21/10/66 Scampton Wing
28/10/69 Hawker Siddeley for modifications
22/12/69 Scampton Wing
29/03/72 230 OCU
07/04/72 617 Squadron
28/06/72 230 OCU
04/07/72 617 Squadron
11/07/72 230 OCU
01/08/72 617 Squadron
13/04/73 230 OCU
16/04/73 617 Squadron
30/07/73 Hawker Siddeley for modifications
21/02/74 27 Squadron
21/02/74 617 Squadron
17/11/77 Hawker Siddeley for modifications
21/06/78 617 Squadron
13/02/81 RAF St Athan
28/05/81 617 Squadron
05/01/82 50 Squadron
01/04/84 Waddington Station Flight (for Vulcan Display Flight)
19/12/86 Delivered to R E Jacobsen, Southend Airport
22/12/86 Struck off charge
07/07/87 Registered as G-VJET to R E Jacobsen (Vulcan Memorial Flight)
28/07/93 Ownership transferred to Vulcan Memorial Flight Supporters Club
24/05/96 Ownership transferred to Vulcan Restoration Trust
11/07/97 Registered as G-VJET to Vulcan Restoration Trust


XL426 was delivered to her new owner at Southend Airport on December 19th, 1986, following a 20 minute flight from RAF Scampton. On arrival at Southend, XL426 had amassed 6236 hours flying time, having made over 1800 separate flights. XL426 remains at Southend Airport under the care of the Vulcan Restoration Trust.