About This Aircraft
The Avro Vulcan XL318 is a preserved Cold War strategic bomber with a particularly notable story as the only Vulcan to have been transported by road. Built in 1961, this B.2 variant served with distinction as part of the Royal Air Force's nuclear deterrent force during the height of the Cold War.
XL318 made its first flight on 12th August 1961 at Woodford, with the maiden flight lasting 1 hour and 40 minutes. The aircraft was delivered to No. 617 Squadron at RAF Scampton on 1st September 1961, becoming the first B.2 variant to be flown by the famous "Dambusters" squadron. During March 1964, No. 617 Squadron formed the Scampton Wing together with Nos. 27 and 83 Squadrons, meaning XL318 could be flown by aircrew from any of the three squadrons that made up the Wing.
Throughout its operational career, XL318 served with several units. On 22nd May 1972, the aircraft was transferred to No. 230 OCU (Operational Conversion Unit) at RAF Scampton, where it remained until 1st July 1981 when it returned to No. 617 Squadron. The aircraft's service included a period with the Waddington Wing during the summer of 1975, flying with Squadrons 9, 44, 50, and 101.
XL318's final flight took place on 11th December 1981, a historically significant sortie as it was also No. 617 Squadron's last Vulcan mission. The flight passed over the City of Derby and the Derwent Dams, where No. 617 Squadron had trained prior to its famous Dams raid in 1943, before the formal disbandment of the squadron on 1st January 1982 and its subsequent reformation as a Tornado squadron.
The aircraft holds the unique distinction of being the only Vulcan to be transported by road. After its final flight, XL318 was dismantled at RAF Scampton and transported in sections by road to the RAF Museum at Hendon in early 1982. Over several months, all sections of the aircraft were moved to Hendon and placed into temporary storage before being carefully reassembled piece by piece in the Bomber Command Hall.
Today, XL318 remains on display at the RAF Museum London (Hendon), where visitors would never guess from looking at the aircraft that it has been completely dismantled and reassembled. The aircraft stands as a testament to both the engineering excellence of the Vulcan programme and the dedication of the museum staff who undertook the complex task of preserving this significant piece of British aviation heritage for future generations.
