View Full Version : XL426 - Current status?
Synthetic
13th Jul 2007, 22:45
I know that Vulcan XL426 was doing fast taxi runs a couple of years ago, but it and the VRT seem to have dissapeared off the radar recently. One of their websites stops updates at 2006, and the other seems to be up for registration.
Anyone know what's going on?
Cypherus
14th Jul 2007, 19:18
As far as published, XL426 was taken out of taxi service last year to begin an unspecified period of restoration work.
Hello,
i thought that I should take the plunge and finally register, if only to shed a bit of light on whats happening at Southend these days. I am one of the engineering team volunteers on 426 and have been working down there for the last 2 years. The website does seem to have died a death..not sure whats happening there myself, the last taxi run was Aug 12 last year http://forums.airshows.co.uk/cgi-bin/ukarboard/ikonboard.cgi?;act=ST;f=10;t=20260 and since then we have entered a period of major work on both our infrastructure at Southend and on 426 herself. We are looking at a 2 year (approx..!) restoration plan covering virtually all of the systems and airframe before she will fast taxi again, however she is still very much alive and kicking, full power engine runs were carried out on April 7 this year http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2654374330075898658ppUOvV and last weekend saw both a visit from a local school history group and low power engine runs just to keep her ticking over. The VRT is looking to raise a significant amount of cash to support the 'Return to Power' restoration programme and new members of the Trust and the engineering team are always very welcome. We are holding two 'Open Cockpit' days on Sun 22nd July and Sun 2nd Sept, where the aircraft is made open to the public (for a small fee of course..:}!) I hope this reassures people, its good to know you lot are interested!
regards,
fc12
Chairborne 09.00hrs
18th Jul 2007, 17:56
Here's a piccie of XL426 seen at home in June 1981 for you:
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q217/John_txic666/Vulcan/XL426Scn3.jpg
Lovely stuff chairborne!! I just wish she looked that smart at the moment!..I was almost 5 then..:sad:..its taken all these years for me to get unnatuarally close to a vulcanhttp://img258.imageshack.us/img258/3561/06012007001sb3.th.jpg (http://img258.imageshack.us/my.php?image=06012007001sb3.jpg)
My photos from the Taxi run in August 2006 (http://www.richardflagg.fotopic.net/c1050658_1.html)
My photos from the Taxi run in August 2006 (http://www.richardflagg.fotopic.net/c1050658_1.html)
Richard
Synthetic
20th Jul 2007, 15:59
Many thanks for the replies folks.
Glad to hear all is as well as can be, and fingers crossed for a positive outcome.:ok:
ZH875
20th Jul 2007, 16:56
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/ZH875/xl426.jpg
XL426 in the colours of 50(B) Sqn. My only two trips in a Vulcan were in '426.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/ZH875/ship.jpg
With friends in the last 4 ship ORP Scramble line-up.
An echo of Synthetics last post, thank you all for the interest in 426 and especially Chairborne and ZH875 for the wonderful photos of her. If anyone is able to pop down for the open day either tomorrow or in September, please do..hopefully the weather will give us a break tomorrow, although we find 426 becomes very popular as an umbrella when its chucking down!..captive audiences are great! As a point of interest 558 and the Lightning Preservation Group both have open-days tomorrow and the TVOC website was updated yesterday..558 is getting there..
Thanks again everyone and if anyone wants further info or updates on 426 please give me a shout..
regards,
fc12