Visit the 50 year old Southend Vulcan – 26 August

Vulcan XL426 will be open to the public at our next Visit the Vulcan day on Sunday 26 August 2012.

The open day will be the official celebration of the Southend Vulcan’s 50th Birthday. XL426 made her first flight from the A V Roe & Co. airfield at Woodford, Cheshire, on 23 August 1962 prior to entering into RAF service the following month. Visitors will be able to get close-up to XL426 and talk to the volunteers who look after her.

There will also be the chance to climb inside the Vulcan’s cockpit to see at first hand the cramped conditions in which the Vulcan’s five man crew had to work.

Gates open at 10.00 a.m. and last admission is at 4.00 p.m. Tickets are available on the gate and cost £2.50 for adults with children under-16 admitted free. Please note that there is an additional fee of £2.50 per person (including children) for cockpit visits. The Vulcan’s cockpit is small so visits are subject to availability. Cockpit visits take place at 15 minute intervals and timed visit tickets can be purchased on the day to avoid having to queue. Admission for VRT Members carrying a current membership card is free.

VRT Members are also entitled to a free cockpit visit. We regret that no pets can be admitted to our Visit the Vulcan days because of airport regulations. Assistance dogs are permitted.

We will be starting XL426’s Airborne Auxiliary Power Plant (AAPP) at 1.00 p.m. to demonstrate the movement of the Vulcan’s flying control surfaces. The cockpit will be closed to visitors for approximately 30 to 45 minutes for the period prior to, during and immediately after the AAPP run.

A selection of Vulcan souvenirs and memorabilia will be on sale from our stand. Teas, coffees, alcoholic beverages and lunches will be available throughout the day from the Lancaster Bar & Restaurant which is situated next to the Vulcan.

Visitors are strongly encouraged to arrive by train. London Southend Airport station is only two minutes walk from XL426 and is served by frequent trains on the London Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria line. Those arriving by car can park in the airport’s short stay car park which is situated by the new passenger terminal. Please note that there is a charge for parking. The short stay car park is situated approximately two to four minutes walk from XL426.

Our Visit the Vulcan days are a vital part of our ongoing fund raising to help preserve Southend’s Vulcan and we would like to thank the management and staff at London Southend Airport for their help in making possible public access to XL426.

A further Visit the Vulcan day will be held on Sunday 30 September.