Return to Power is the Vulcan Restoration Trust’s engineering programme to return Avro Vulcan B2 XL426 back to taxying condition. The Trust estimates that it will cost £54,000 to complete this work.

Prior to the taxy run at the VRT Open Day in August 2006, XL426 had been maintained as a ‘live’ aircraft for over 10 years. This meant that engineering was restricted to the work needed to keep XL426 taxying; the voluntary nature of the Trust’s engineering team and the frequency of the taxy-runs made it impossible to carry out more time-consuming and in-depth tasks.

It was clear that this situation could not continue if XL426 was to survive as a ‘benchmark’ aircraft of its type – as recognised by the British Aviation Preservation Council. The Trust, therefore, took the decision to not carry out any further taxy-runs until a full programme of engineering work had been completed that would ensure XL426’s survival for at least another 20 years.

The work to be undertaken as part of the Return to Power programme can be divided into two areas:

 1. Work essential if XL426 is to safely taxy again. This includes:

• Repair of the flying control surfaces, including the rudder
• Renovation of the fuel system, involving removal and repair of the fuel tanks
• Overhaul of the aircraft’s wheels and brakes
• Replacement of the jet pipe end caps
• Renovation of the undercarriage bays, front and main, including replacement of pipe work and electrical connections where necessary
• Overhaul of the upper areas of the main undercarriage legs
• Skin repairs – a survey has identified over 50 areas, some large, some small, that need replacement, repair or the removal of corrosion
• Renovation of the Powered Flying Control Units
• Repair of the damage caused to the airbrakes in an operating incident some years ago, including replacement of components where necessary

2. Work aimed at the long-term preservation of XL426 that is time-consuming and can only be carried out if the aircraft is not required to taxy regularly. This includes:

• Renovation of the cockpit, including overhaul of the crew seats, repairs to damaged trims and fittings (including the ladders) and removal of the ‘black boxes’ and instrument panels for painting and repair
• Full overhaul of the intercom and radio systems
• Creation of fully serviceable spare sets of wheels, brake units and powered flying control units

Much of the work is or will be carried out ‘in house’ by the VRT Engineering Team but there are certain jobs that will have to be done by outside contractors. No timescale has been set for completion of Return to Power. The speed in which we can finish the work will depend on a number of factors, not least of which is having the money to do it. During 2006-07 we have upgraded our workshop facilities at London Southend Airport and have all the necessary tooling and equipment in place to carry out the work. However, a major fund raising effort is needed to buy the components and materials we need – for example, the replacement unions and electrical connectors for the undercarriage bays alone will cost over £4,500.

The Vulcan Restoration Trust has launched a Return to Power fund-raising campaign to raise the £54,000 we need to get XL426 back into taxiing condition. If you would like to donate, please click the donation button on this page for credit card donations. If you would prefer to donate by cheque, please download the Donation Form attached.

All contributions, not matter how large or small, will play a vital part in helping return Vulcan XL426 return to ‘live’ condition.

We are now offering the chance to sponsor the overhaul of individual components in return for which you will have your name emblazoned on the relevant 'bit'!  To sponsor a wheel costs £100 and an elevon, a mere £350!

Click here to donate to Return To Power!