Sunday 22 July
Sunday 26 August
Sunday 30 September
Visitors will be able to get a close-up view of Vulcan XL426 and talk to the volunteers who look after her. There will also be the chance to climb inside the Vulcan's cockpit and see at first-hand the cramped conditions in which XL426's five-man crew had to work. Our Visit the Vulcan days are a vital part of our ongoing fund raising to help preserve Southend's Vulcan.
The gates at each Visit the Vulcan day will open at 10.00 a.m. and last admission will be 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 (AAPU) at 1.00 p.m. each day to demonstrate the movement of the Vulcan's flying control surfaces and to watch the startled look on everyone's faces when they hear the 'boom' as the AAPU shuts down! The cockpit will be closed to visitors for approximately 30 to 45 minutes for the period prior to, during and immediately after the AAPU 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 each day from the Lancaster Bar & Restaurant, which is situated next to the Vulcan.
Visitors are encouraged to arrive by train. London Southend Airport station is only two minutes walk from the Vulcan and is served by frequent trains on the London Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria line. Those arriving by car can park in in the airport's short stay car parks which are situated by the new passenger terminal and for which there is a charge. The short stay car parks are situated approximately two to four minutes walk from XL426. We are currently exploring the possibility of providing free-of-charge car parking at our Visit the Vulcan days and will publish any updates here.
Due to the Civil Aviation Authority and Department of Transport regulations now in force at London Southend Airport, we have not been able to announce dates for our Visit the Vulcan days until June. We would like to thank the management and staff at London Southend Airport for their help in making possible public access to XL426
Please visit www.avrovulcan.com for more details on the Trust and its activities
