Go to Vulcan XH558 Photo Gallery

Avro Vulcan XH558 took to the skies from her home base at Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire after 14 years.

The JustPlaneCrazy team had the pleasure of viewing this momentous occasion from the top of Bruntingthorpes control tower and took some amazing photos that can be viewed in our gallery.

Piloted by Squadron Leaders Al McDicken and David Thomas with the Air Electronic Officers (AEO) position held by Squadron Leader Barry Masefield, XH558 took off for a 34 minute test flight.

Vulcan XH558 first took to the skies on 21st May 1960 and was based at RAF Waddington till 1973 when it transferred to RAF Scampton after a conversion to a B MK.2.

On 31st March 1984, the Vulcan Squadron was disbanded and Vulcan XH558 was converted for display purposes and was the only flying Vulcan in December 1986 when Vulcan XL426 was sold to Southend Airport.

On 20th September 1992, Vulcan XH558 flew her last display at RAF Cranfield and sold to the Walton family soon after, arriving at Bruntingthorpe on the 23rd March 1993. Since then it has taken almost £6.5 million and thousands of man-hours to restore this truly historical and British aircraft.

Go to Vulcan XH558 Photo Gallery