Woodford Vulcan: XM603

[EGCA]

Can any kind soul confirm that XM603 has now gone to the big hangar in the sky?
I read a while ago that it was being stripped for spares before scrapping on site.

Thanks

EGCA

[JimmyTAP]

It is still there but not for long I believe.

[LN-KGL]

According to three locals, it's still there. But its demise is imminent according to one of them. The XH558 enthusiasts have the first right on any usable part on it. According to another source, XM603 have been used to test spar life as part of BAE Systems support of the XH558 project. I suspect this latter test is destructible and the frame is damaged beyond repair due to this.

http://www.plane-spotter.com/Jpegs/800/XM603.jpg
This photo was taken almost four years ago, and already at that time there were clear indications that the bird was in demise. Atom white skin colour and rust isn't the best combination.

Kurt

[Brewster Buffalo]

You would have thought where it is it would have plenty of TLC.

Once its gone its gone...:{

[LN-KGL]

Tells a lot how it is within the aviation industry today, need I mention BA and Cosford?

The only ones that have money to take care important aircraft today are the military, museums and enthusiasts.

Here are some few examples:
http://www.plane-spotter.com/Jpegs/840/SpringTour_2008-04-25/Vulcan_XM607.jpg
The Vulcan at RAF Waddington

http://www.plane-spotter.com/Jpegs/840/UK/Duxford_2007/BOAC_Comet4.jpg
The Comet 4 at IWM Duxford

http://www.plane-spotter.com/Jpegs/840/NO/SVG_2007-06-03/2x_DC-3.jpg
Two Scandinavian DC-3s - both kept flying due to the foundations (enthusiasts) behind them

Kurt

[BYALPHAINDIA]

I heard that BAE had asked that it had to be removed from the airfield asap??

Something to do with H&S i think??

The engines will always be the property of RR thou.

[GLENO]

Going the same way as everything else in this country........to the dump!...shame really, remember seeing this fly into Woodford For the last time whilst in its Camo scheme as a young boy.......going slightly off subject anybody know what will happen to the airfield once he Nimrod's have been finished?....sold for housing???.........

[EGCA]

XM 603 would have made a superb exhibit in the Manchester Museum of Science & Technology. Surely they were asked?

Cost of moving and reconstruction would not be cheap though.

EGCA

[Brewster Buffalo]

Can't understand why BAE have let this aircraft rot away? They got as a gate guardian after all...

Might be a bit big for the museum unless they could find a place elsewhere on the site... Perhaps they could just take the cockpit??

[N707ZS]

Arn't there a few ATPs roting there also, slightly off topic.

[GLENO]

Last time I Looked I think there were at least six.....a few ex Merpati examples if i'm not mistaken...all without engines......

[BYALPHAINDIA]

It could live with the Victor at Elvington.:D

Or at the last 'resort' Blackpool on sands.:ugh:

[Tulsablue]

I was driving through Woodford on Thursday 5th April 2012, XM603 is still there but looking sad and forlorn.





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[jamesferns]

As is the whole place, was there a while back ,all very spooky silent and deserted, remember going there as a kid to the air shows years ago, very sad to see how its ended up

[WoodfordEGCD]

I noticed 603 had moved a few months ago slightly:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8079/8423663080_3d244ed01e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjjlivepics/8423663080/)
Vulcan XM603 28/01/13 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjjlivepics/8423663080/) by mjjlive *200k Views* (http://www.flickr.com/people/mjjlivepics/), on Flickr

About 2 months ago it was towed to the other side of the runway and parked outside the Avro Heritage Society building:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8380/8512786441_b3f5f41fab_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjjlivepics/8512786441/)
XM603 Avro Vulcan B2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjjlivepics/8512786441/) by mjjlive *200k Views* (http://www.flickr.com/people/mjjlivepics/), on Flickr

And viewed from the northern end of the airfield:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8128/9007914558_eeab0085f8_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjjlivepics/9007914558/)
XM603 Avro Vulcan B2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjjlivepics/9007914558/) by mjjlive *200k Views* (http://www.flickr.com/people/mjjlivepics/), on Flickr

It is due to be restored visually, and used as a guate guard for a proposed AVRO museum on the site, this isn't due to happen for a couple of years yet

[Smokey Joe Hedley]

Going the same way as everything else in this country........to the dump!...shame really, remember seeing this fly into Woodford For the last time whilst in its Camo scheme as a young boy.......going slightly off subject anybody know what will happen to the airfield once he Nimrod's have been finished?....sold for housing???.........

the airfield is no longer there they are building on the site REDROW HOUSING the AVRO Heritage museum is still there with XM603 still in place they are doing some work in the cockpit by the looks of it the cockpit is coverd up i was there 01/01/2023

[Bill Macgillivray]

How sad to see XM 603 in such a sorry state! I know we should not live in the past but....! I flew her several times in the '70's (including a cockpit fire in june '70, no casualties!) Last time was 11 Aug 70 and after that I moved elsewhere but I know she soldiered (or should that be airmened ?) on for quite a while after. Hope she survives in some form!

[Brewster Buffalo]

I visited the museum in 2018 and XM 603 looked in good shape then....the photos above were taken in 2013...

[SpringHeeledJack]

I flew her several times in the '70's (including a cockpit fire in june '70, no casualties!)

​​​​​​​If you have a moment, could you give a short explanation of that ? Accident reports are dull, if full of details.

[Bill Macgillivray]

SHJ, it was along time ago and (if I remember correctly) in those days only merited an Incident Report. If I remember correctly (!) there was a lot of smoke/fumes in the cockpit and a distinct rise in temperature! It culminated in a short flight, an overweight landing and a very rapid crew exit!

[surely not]

There are 29 Vulcans, including 10 that are just nose sections, in existence. Whilst it is sad that this airframe looks like it is going go from full airframe to nose section, it is hardly as if we are down to our last Vulcan to look at!

[The Flying Stool]

This is an old thread from 2008. The aircraft has been fully cosmetically restored and sits in the grounds of the Avro museum. It is in good condition and it's future is secure.

[Bill Macgillivray]

That is good news! Thanks.

[ANW]

for up to date info., i.e. January 2023, have a look at the AVRO HERITAGE MUSEUM web site (https://www.avroheritagemuseum.co.uk/)