Researched 2026-10-11 from the sources listed below. Airframes move between hangars, workshops and loans: check with Avro Heritage Museum before travelling to see this one.
The airframe in brief
| Serial / registration | XM603 |
|---|---|
| Type | Avro Vulcan B.2 |
| Built | Woodford; completed 29 November 1963 |
| Units / operator | Coningsby and Waddington Wings; 50 Sqn, 101 Sqn, 44 Sqn |
| Flying hours | 5,733 |
| Arrived | 12 March 1983, flown into Woodford by Charles Masefield |
| Restoration unveiled | 25 October 2016 |
| Scheme | All-over anti-flash white |
| Status | On display |
| Where | Avro Heritage Museum, Stockport |
The story of XM603
XM603 was built at Woodford and completed on 29 November 1963. It joined the Coningsby Wing, which moved to Cottesmore in 1964, and passed to the Waddington Wing in 1968.
From Waddington it served with 50 Squadron from August 1975, 101 Squadron from December 1980 and 44 Squadron from July 1981. It was used as a test-bed for the K.2 tanker conversion. Over its career it logged 5,733 flying hours, with trips to the Far East, Canada and Cyprus.
British Aerospace bought it for preservation. On 12 March 1983 Charles Masefield flew it back to Woodford. Soon after, it was repainted in the all-over anti-flash white it wore on delivery.
The XM603 Club kept it in good order and ran its engines, but a planned taxi run in 2000 never took place. After the club disbanded in 2008 the aircraft deteriorated. It also gave parts to help keep XH558 flying and engines to XM655.
In 2013 it was moved to the site of the new Avro Heritage Museum. Restoration began in 2015 under temporary scaffolding, and the refurbished exterior was unveiled on 25 October 2016. Volunteers have since restored cockpit and electrical systems.
Seeing XM603 today
XM603 stands outdoors beside the Avro Heritage Museum at Woodford, in white with a black radome.
| Museum | Adult entry | Airframes | Headline exhibit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avro Heritage MuseumStockport, Greater Manchester | £9 | 14 | Vulcan XM603 — the only all-white Vulcan on display anywhere, in original anti-flash nuclear livery — plus walk-in Lancaster and Nimrod… |
Also known as: Vulcan XM603 · Woodford Vulcan · white Vulcan