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Avro Vulcan B.2 XJ823

Synonymous with the Cold War and Britain's nuclear deterrent of the 1960's, the impressive size of Avro's delta winged bomber is testament to the...
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Synonymous with the Cold War and Britain's nuclear deterrent of the 1960's, the impressive size of Avro's delta winged bomber is testament to the ingenuity and skills of the post war British aircraft industry.

The history of XJ823 starts in 1961 when it was delivered to No 27 Squadron at Scampton on 20 April. It was then transferred to No 35 Squadron at RAF Coningsby.
Long-resident on the Akrotiri Wing, 823 returned to the UK at Waddington with IX Sqn in 1975.
From April 1977, after receiving Maritime Radar Reconnaissance modifications (MRR), which gave it a gloss paint finish, 823 served with No 27 Squadron at Scampton.
823 was refitted and transferred to 35 Squadron at Scampton in April 1981 and subsequently went to Waddington in 1982.
Vulcan XJ823 was flown into Carlisle on 24th Jan 1983, seven months after the official end of Falkland Island hostilities.
It had been bought from the Royal Air Force by two volunteers for £2,000 with around 5,953.30 hours on the airframe.
The tail now carries 35 Sqn insignia on the starboard side and 27 Sqn (Dumbo) on port.

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