Southend Airport Vulcan bombs down runway for last time in 2023

The Vulcan Restoration Trust, who lovingly care for the ex-Royal Air Force XL426 jet, held their Summer Taxi-Run 2023 event on Saturday.

Turnout – people gathering at the perimeter fence outside St Laurence and All Saints Church, in Aviation Way, to witness the jet bombing down the runway (Image: Simon Murdoch)

At 1pm, spectators who paid for admission to the exclusive viewing area outside of their hangar or pitched up to the perimeter fence witnessed two runs, with the second being at high-speed and featuring a deploy of her brake parachute.

Onlookers – spectators getting snaps of the legendary jet (Image: The Vulcan Restoration Trust)

Simon Murdoch, 68, a retired Royal Mail postal worker who was watching from the fence, said: “It was a fantastic sight to see the Vulcan in action, and the Vulcan Restoration Team should be congratulated for all their wonderful work keeping our Vulcan in working condition like this.

“There were hundreds of people lining the fence by the runway at St Laurence [and All Saints] Church [in Aviation Way] and all along the walkway near the end of the runway all enjoying the experience as well.”

However, he added the brake parachute developed a “fault and did not fully open up or detach itself and ended up dragging it along the runway and back to its parking position before it was safely removed by the Vulcan engineers”.

READ MORE: West Ham legends coming to the Cliffs for ‘action-packed’ evening this month.

Error – the Vulcan’s brake parachute did not fully open or detach itself (Image: Simon Murdoch)

The brake parachute was often used by the aircraft during its RAF service when landing on short runways to save wear and tear on its brakes.

The jet taxied back to the apron area, which allowed visitors to get a “superb close-up view” as she headed back in and winded down her engines.

For those who were unable to attend, Spotter Dedicated TV (SDTV) provided a livestream of the taxi-runs.

Derek Jarvis, Conservative councillor responsible for arts, culture, heritage and leisure, said: “It’s wonderful to see the airport allowing the Vulcan to use the runway for these events and allow people, who love the jet, to come down and see it.

“I urge people to donate to the Vulcan Restoration Trust so they can put on these events again in the future.”

Wonderful – Conservative councillor Derek Jarvis (Image: Southend Council)

To make a donation to the Vulcan Restoration Trust, click here.