|
Avro Vulcan B2/K2
XH560 The following is a
brief history that we have on the airframe. If anyone can
confirm or add to these details any information would be much
appreciated. |
Avro Vulcan XH560.
Copyright The Cockpit Collection. |
Aircraft Type:
Vulcan B2/K2
30/8/60: First flight.
3/10/60: 230 OCU
28/11/60: To
manufacturers.
29/5/61: Allotted for
Skybolt development.
26/9/62: 12 Sqn. RAF
Coningsby.
29/11/62: 230 OCU.
23/8/65: RAF Cottesmore
Wing (9/12/35 Sqns).
10/4/67: RAF Waddington
Wing. (44/50/101 Sqns).
2/2/68: RAF Cottesmore
Wing (9/12/35 Sqns).
28/6/67: RAF Cottesmore
Wing (9/35 Sqns).
20/11/71: Hawker
Siddeley Bitteswell for storage.
1/2/73: Conversion to
B2 (MRR) role.
19/3/74: 27 Sqn.
25/3/82: RAF Waddington
(9/44/50/101 Sqns).
5/7/82: British
Aerospace conversion to K2.
24/8/82: RAF Waddington
(44/50 Sqns).
1/4/84: Station Flight
RAF Waddington.
29/8/84: Station Flight
RAF Marham.
29/11/84: RAF Marham
dump.
5/1/85: Struck off
charge. Cat 5(c). Nose section removed for restoration and
loaned to RAF Marham for display by The Cockpit Collection.
Avro Vulcan XH560. Copyright The
Cockpit Collection.
Can you help find
the following ?
Anything relating to
the Vulcan B2/K2 that will help us in this restoration, including Instruments, morse
key, refuelling probe and nozzle, Red Steer box for rear desk,
Abandon Aircraft warning for rear desk, RAT release handle for
pilot's coaming, flight refuelling indicator for co-pilot's side
console, throttle box, squadron patches, Vulcan Pilot's notes,
aircrew equipment and flying clothing, photographs or videos of
XH560 in service.
XH560 gallery
The following
photographs have kindly been sent to us by Pat Henderson (USN-Ret)
and were taken by him at NAS Midway between the 2nd and 10th
February 1976. They show XH560 and XH534 in the background. We
wonder if anybody might know the reason for their visit, were
they on an exercise? Looks like XH534 might be undergoing some
form of maintenance, possibly inspecting for the presence of the
indigenous "goony bird" that inhabits the island and will nest
anywhere!
Response from Graham
Summers regarding the presence of XH560 at Midway:
I was looking at the
pictures of the two 27 Sqn B.Mk 2 (MRR) aircraft at Midway and I
think I can give you and answer to why they were there. As you
may be aware, as well as the MRR role, the 27 Sqn aircraft also
had another purpose in life, namely 'sniffing' for information
after a nuclear test, hence the underwing pods. From my memory,
unless I am mistaken, around 1976, the French were carrying out
nuclear weapons testing at Noumea. Given the proximity of
Midway, plus the presence of the pods, this may be a likely
explanation.
All photographs courtesy of Pat
Henderson (USN-Ret).
