Avro Vulcan - Survivor XL318
B.2 XL318 - Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon, North London
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Vulcan B.2 XL318 at Hendon, 3rd October 2020; Alan Wilson


The RAF Museum's Vulcan B.2, XL318 (above) dominates the museum's On Target Hall (formerly the Bomber Command Hall).
XL318 made its first flight on the 12th August 1961 at Woodford with the flight lasting 1 hour 40 minutes.
After a long flying career, XL318 made its final flight on December 18th 1981.
The airframe was later drained and vented so dismantling could begin to road move XL318 to the RAF Museum, Hendon for display. Over a period of time in early 1982, all sections of XL318 were moved to Hendon and placed into temporary storage. Just a few months later in June, the aircraft was reassembled in the Bomber Command Hall where she has been on display ever since. Sadly, to be able to road move her, it had to be cut up into sections, however, this does make her the only Vulcan to of ever been dismantled, road moved, and then reassembled.
Unfortunately, it's very difficult to take a decent picture of this Vulcan as she is hemmed in on all sides by various other exhibits, even down to having a biplane parked under her port wing! The refuelling probe is a matter of inches away from the wall, which gives you an idea of how carefully they had to position the beast.
XL318 made its first flight on the 12th August 1961 at Woodford with the flight lasting 1 hour 40 minutes.
After a long flying career, XL318 made its final flight on December 18th 1981.
The airframe was later drained and vented so dismantling could begin to road move XL318 to the RAF Museum, Hendon for display. Over a period of time in early 1982, all sections of XL318 were moved to Hendon and placed into temporary storage. Just a few months later in June, the aircraft was reassembled in the Bomber Command Hall where she has been on display ever since. Sadly, to be able to road move her, it had to be cut up into sections, however, this does make her the only Vulcan to of ever been dismantled, road moved, and then reassembled.
Unfortunately, it's very difficult to take a decent picture of this Vulcan as she is hemmed in on all sides by various other exhibits, even down to having a biplane parked under her port wing! The refuelling probe is a matter of inches away from the wall, which gives you an idea of how carefully they had to position the beast.
Information on this page current as of 14/02/2022, last updated by Jake |
Find other photos of XL318 on the following sites:
Air-Britain - Airliners.net - Airplane-Pictures.net - flickr.com - WorldAirPics.com - JetPhotos.net - PlanePictures.net