No. XXXV

Avro Vulcan B.2A MRR XJ823

Avro Vulcan B.2 XJ823 first arrived with No 35 Squadron at RAF Coningsby on 16 January 1963 and, aside from a brief loan for “Rapid-Start” modifications, stayed on the squadron (or its Coningsby/Cottesmore pool) through 1964 and again in 1968. After overhaul it was posted to the Near-East Air Force Wing at RAF Akrotiri, where 35 Sqn crews routinely flew the aircraft every year from 1969 to 1974. Returning to the UK, XJ823 re-entered the squadron’s own strength at the newly re-based RAF Scampton between March and December 1977, then—following Maritime Radar Reconnaissance upgrades—was assigned once more in April 1981, flying with 35 Sqn until the unit wound down ahead of disbandment the next spring. It transferred to RAF Waddington in August 1982 and was ferried for preservation to Carlisle on 24 January 1983. In total, XJ823 amassed roughly eight years’ service with 35 Squadron spread across 1963-81, making it one of the unit’s longest-associated airframes.

Avro Vulcan B.2A MRR XJ823

Avro Vulcan B.2A MRR XJ823