(All images by Stephen Carr, reproduced with permission)
Avro Vulcan B2 XL319′s retirement at Sunderland, UK, hasn’t always been easy. A combination of harsh weather, vandalism and the sheer expense of maintaining such a large aircraft in good condition had taken its toll on the 53-year-old bomber. Then in the winter of 2009-2010, an accumulation of snow on the Vulcan’s wings following a heavy fall tipped XL319 onto its tail.
These unusual pictures were taken by photographer Stephen Carr, showing the aircraft in a nose-up attitude not seen by this Vulcan since it landed at the North East Aviation Museum‘s site at the former Sunderland Airport in 1983.
Museum staff and volunteers waited for the snow to melt before lowering the XL319′s nose to the ground. During that time, they piled railway sleepers under the elevated front landing gear leg to prevent it from slamming into the group in the event of the snow melting.
Finally a crane was used to take XL319′s weight as the sleepers were – ever so carefully – removed one by one.
The ECM bay at the rear of the aircraft was found to have been damaged. But once safely back on terra firma, the North East Aviation Museum’s dedicated team started planning a full restoration effort of the aircraft.
Despite the challenges, this project is now well underway – with exciting results so far. Vulcan XL319 is set to receive a paint scheme not seen on any other surviving Vulcans. Keep up-to-date via the aircraft’s Facebook page.
Keep reading – click the thumbnails below for more great Vulcan related content!
