About This Aircraft
The Avro Vulcan XL319 is a preserved Cold War strategic bomber with a particularly noteworthy history, holding the distinction of being the first RAF Vulcan to be released to an independent collection in the United Kingdom. Built in 1961, this B.2 variant served with distinction during the height of the Cold War and played a notable role during the Falklands conflict.
XL319 was delivered to the RAF in October 1961 and served with multiple squadrons including Nos. 617, 44, and 83 Squadrons at RAF Waddington and RAF Scampton. The aircraft wore the standard grey and green camouflage scheme applied to Vulcans from the mid-1970s, complete with No. 35 Squadron's distinctive stylised skyhook badge on the tail.
During the Falklands War in 1982, XL319 was one of three Vulcans selected to undertake a goodwill tour of the United States, where the mighty delta-wing bomber proved to be tremendously popular with the American public. This diplomatic mission demonstrated the aircraft's role beyond its primary military function as a nuclear deterrent.
XL319 flew into retirement at the North East Land, Sea and Air Museum in Sunderland in January 1983, becoming a pioneering example of Vulcan preservation. However, the aircraft's preservation journey has been challenging. During the 1990s, XL319 suffered vandalism that resulted in two of the front cockpit window panels being smashed. The British weather has also taken its toll, with paint fading badly and winter weather causing additional damage.
A particularly dramatic incident occurred during the winter of 2009/10 when heavy snowfall caused the aircraft to tip onto its tail, damaging the ECM bay doors. This incident highlighted the challenges of preserving large aircraft outdoors and led to discussions about better protection methods.
In August 2011, an ambitious restoration and repaint project commenced, though progress has been slow due to the scale of the work and challenging weather conditions. The project achieved a significant milestone when engine No. 4 was fully restored and successfully run in 2011 - marking the first time the engine had operated in 36 years since XL319's retirement. Unfortunately, there have been no further engine runs since, and none are planned.
The restoration work has made the aircraft much more presentable, though some areas continue to suffer from the effects of outdoor storage. The cockpit requires ongoing attention, and various components like the port pitot tube show signs of deterioration.
Today, XL319 remains on display at the North East Land, Sea and Air Museum in Sunderland, where it continues to attract aviation enthusiasts despite the preservation challenges. The aircraft stands as a testament to both the engineering excellence of the Vulcan programme and the dedication of museum volunteers who work to maintain this important piece of British Cold War aviation heritage under difficult conditions.
