About this museum
Southend's own Cold War deterrent: Avro Vulcan B.2 XL426, kept in live, taxiable condition at London Southend Airport by the Vulcan Restoration Trust. On Visit-the-Vulcan days you get under, over and — for a modest upgrade — inside her; on fast-taxi days she goes down Southend's runway with all four Olympus engines howling, an experience one reviewer correctly summarised as feeling the stick and rudder of the apocalypse, secondhand.
Listed inventory: 1 airframe.
XL426 herself, ex-Scampton display aircraft, whose APU-powered control-surface demos let visitors in the cockpit actually waggle a Vulcan's elevons.
- XL426 — one of only three taxiable Vulcans on Earth
Everything is pre-booked open days — watch the Trust's calendar. Catering vans are cash-prone; bring notes. For Leigh-on-Sea locals this is the shortest pilgrimage in the guide.
- “Absolutely brilliant. My wife & I really enjoyed it. All staff are so very helpful and knowledgeable.”— Alan Shelley
- “Absolutely fantastic organisation. Staff are friendly, enthusiastic and clearly extremely talented. Well worth the trip!”— PHIL BOLT
- “Well looked after aeroplane. 62 years old. Volunteers really helpful and knowledgeable. They organised a great event that was thoroughly enjoyable.”— Barry True
Public map reports · excerpted for reference · not reviews collected by this gazetteer
Frequently asked
What are the opening times for Vulcan Restoration Trust (XL426), Southend?
Visit/event days only. Verify current opening times with the museum before travelling.
How much does Vulcan Restoration Trust (XL426), Southend cost?
Adult admission is listed as £10. Check the museum's current prices before travelling.
Which aircraft can you see at Vulcan Restoration Trust (XL426), Southend?
The listed collection includes Avro Vulcan B.2, live and taxiable (XL426). Aircraft move between displays, so confirm current holdings before travelling.
Does Vulcan Restoration Trust (XL426), Southend have parking or a cafe?
Parking is recorded on site; a cafe or restaurant is recorded. Check current facilities with the museum before travelling.
Airframe checklist
Tick them off as you go. Identities are as held in the gazetteer survey — verify against the museum’s own labels if something has moved.
| Type | Identity | |
|---|---|---|
| Avro Vulcan B.2, live and taxiable | XL426 |
Inventory verification pending — figures from the gazetteer survey; confirm against the museum’s own labels before travel.
Location & contact
- Address
- Hangar 5, London Southend Airport, Southend-on-Sea SS2 6YU
- Phone
- 07881 445453
- Website
- www.avrovulcan.com/
- Hours
- Visit/event days only
(from your local clock — verify before travel) - Gazetteer
- EA-04 on the situation map