XM594

XM594 was the 58th Vulcan B.2 built at Woodford. It first flew on 29 May 1963 and joined 27 Squadron in July, part of the Blue Steel force at Scampton.

It also served with the Waddington Wing, and rejoined 27 Squadron at Scampton in May 1968. After refurbishment at Bitteswell from March 1972, it joined 101 Squadron at Waddington that September. ECM equipment was fitted in February 1975.

From May 1977 it flew with 44 Squadron at Waddington. On 17 December 1982 it took part in the RAF's farewell Vulcan flypast over former V-bomber bases and Group headquarters.

Newark Air Museum's 1982 bid was delayed by the Falklands conflict. The RAF then judged Winthorpe's old runway unsafe for a Vulcan, but relented after repairs. Stuart Stephenson paid for it on 19 January 1983, the first preservation Vulcan to be bought.

XM594 left Waddington on 7 February 1983 and landed at Winthorpe, streaming its brake parachute for the last time. A blizzard arrived soon afterwards and cut its flying display short. It was the only Vulcan delivered to an unlicensed UK airfield.

It was powered up regularly until the 2000s. Ownership passed to the Lincolnshire Lancaster Association in 2004, then to the museum in December 2021. A full repaint followed in 2022.

Parked outdoors on the old Winthorpe airfield in 44 Squadron markings. The cockpit opens on some days for a small extra fee, up a steep two-stage ladder; minimum height 1 m.