Avro Vulcan B.2 XL426 Twilight Run at Southend Airport Saturday 17th May 2025
This was my fourth visit to Southend Airport to see XL426 fast taxy up the runway but my first visit to see the aircraft run at twilight.
On the 17th of May 2025 Avro Vulcan B.2 XL426 performed a couple of taxy runs, with the first one including a static full-power run, a really awesome sight with that famous Vulcan howl. The second run included a short, full power, fast taxy before opening the drag chute to slow the aircraft down. Once the jettisoned drag chute had been collected by airfield ops, Avro Vulcan B.2 XL426 taxied back to her hangar. A spectacular sight especially with those present being able to get so close to the aircraft & jeez was it loud too!
The weather couldn't have been much better as there was wall to wall blue sky and a fairly gentle breeze. At around 7.45PM the Vulcan was pushed out onto the pan where last minute checks & engine start was carried out. Once the engineering team moved away from the aircraft she was ready to taxy.
The event finished at around 9.30PM with the aircraft performing flawlessly. Southend Airport also now, once again, supports EasyJet flights and we were lucky to catch one of their aircraft, Airbus A320 G-UZLK heading off to Palma.
Below are 40 images showcasing the Twilight Run :
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All images copyright İRoger Whitcomb 2025 - www.milairpix.com
