Vulcan Restoration Trust

16/10/2026

Why are we replacing XL426’s fuel hoses?

Fuel the Howl isn’t about waiting for something to go wrong 🛠

The 64 high-pressure fuel hoses associated with XL426’s four Olympus engines are approaching the end of their service life 😞

Replacing them now forms part of our planned preventative maintenance, ensuring these important components are renewed at the right time and helping to support XL426’s continued safe operation for years to come 👍✈️🎉

That’s why our Engineering team wants to replace them as part of planned preventative maintenance.

In this video, we take a closer look at why the work is needed and why replacing components before failure is such an important part of caring for XL426.

We’ll be sharing much more of the engineering behind Fuel the Howl over the coming months.

Follow the project: https://vulcanrestorationtrust.enthuse.com/cf/fuel-the-howl

15/10/2026

4 Olympus engines at 70% power & a No3 engine howl 🔊 at 21 seconds in.

Our engineers inspected the engine & gave it the all clear 🔊✈️👍

Video from Saturday 10th October 2026.

https://vulcanrestorationtrust.enthuse.com/cf/fuel-the-howl

12/10/2026

This is Fuel the Howl.

Earlier today, we launched our new campaign to raise £20,000 towards replacing 64 high-pressure fuel hoses across XL426’s four Olympus engines.

But Fuel the Howl is about more than a number on a fundraising page.

It’s about the engineering that happens behind the scenes. The components most visitors never see. And the volunteers who give their time and expertise to help keep XL426 operational.

The 64 hoses are approaching the end of their service life, and replacing them now forms part of our planned preventative maintenance — carrying out the work before a component reaches the point of failure.

We wanted to explain why this work matters, so we asked some of the people who know XL426 best.

🎥 This is Fuel the Howl.
Over the coming months, we’ll take you behind the scenes, follow the progress of the campaign and, ultimately, show you the engineering work your support is helping to make possible.

If you’d like to be part of it:
👉 Support Fuel the Howl: Vulcan Restoration Trust: Fuel the Howl

https://vulcanrestorationtrust.enthuse.com/cf/fuel-the-howl

And if donating isn’t possible, simply sharing this video can help us reach someone else who might want to support XL426.
64 hoses. Four Olympus engines. £20,000.
Help us Fuel the Howl.

12/10/2026

Fuel the Howl is live 🔊

Today, the Vulcan Restoration Trust is launching Fuel the Howl — a new fundraising campaign with one clear aim: to raise £20,000 towards replacing 64 high-pressure fuel hoses across XL426’s four Olympus engines ✈️

There are 16 hoses on each engine, and they are now approaching the end of their service and now need to be replaced as part of XL426’s planned preventative maintenance programme. This is routine, responsible engineering — replacing components at the appropriate point in their life to help support the continued safe operation of XL426 for years to come.

Fuel the Howl is a little different for us. Rather than asking for general support, we’re inviting you to help fund a specific engineering project, and we want to take you with us throughout the journey

Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing progress towards our £20,000 target, taking you behind the scenes with our Engineering team and showing you the work your support is helping to make possible.

Whether you can give £5, £10, £50, £100 or an amount that’s right for you, every contribution will take us closer to completing the project 🙏

And if donating isn’t possible, you can still make a difference by sharing Fuel the Howl and helping us reach more people who care about XL426 and Britain’s aviation heritage 🙏

64 hoses. Four Olympus engines. £20,000.

Help us Fuel the Howl 🔊

👉 Donate and find out more: https://vulcanrestorationtrust.enthuse.com/cf/fuel-the-howl

FUEL THE HOWL 64 hoses. Four Olympus engines. £20,000. One mission: keep XL426 operational. There are few sounds quite like four Rolls-Royce Olympus engines coming to life. For visitors who come to se

11/10/2026

Engineering update part 1, Saturday 10th October. High speed taxi minus approximately 30 weeks ✈️!

The morning was spent removing all the elements of 1940’s hangar dance 💃🕺and prepping XL426 for a power run. Blanks were removed, tyres and the crew door were topped up with nitrogen, hydraulic levels were checked, collector boxes were drained and the engine intakes were inspected 👀. Finally, XL426 was pushed onto the pan to meet the helpful refuelling team from London Southend Airport
🙏.

Tanks topped up and it was ready to go! Our tug pulled the Vulcan out onto the taxi way, followed by our support vehicle and we waved to the easyJet passengers landing and taking off 👋!

Parked up on Foxtrot, all 4 Olympus engines were brought up to 70% power 💪 and checks were carried out. Then, engines 3 & 4 entertained us with their spectacular howl 🔊 as the power was increased to 90% (videos to come in part 2 later in the week!). We needed to do a more thorough check of just these 2 engines as numbers 1 & 2 are being removed for detailed maintenance this winter.

Our Chief Engineer gave the thumbs up and XL426 taxied back to hangar 6 where she will remain for the winter 😴🌨

Photos with thanks to Jason Gore Photography & other VRT Volunteers

10/10/2026

Saturday afternoon treat, 4 x Olympus engines running & bomb doors closing.

05/10/2026

Our final event of the year in the hangar* went with a swing, lindy hop and a whole lot of rock & roll! The dance floor was full and XL426 shone as the lights bounced off her 111 foot wingspan.

The Hangar Dance got off to a flying start as Graham Dinger Christopher, aka DJ Dinger, entertained guests with a soundtrack of rock & roll classics. The Sid Bolan Big Band and local jazz singer Ruby Robinson kept the energy high with a superb set of much-loved songs from the period. Dance enthusiasts and novices alike packed the floor for the Air Raid Jive dance lessons, proving that two left feet were no obstacle to having a great time.

We were delighted to see so many guests arrive dressed for the occasion in period attire. From vintage dresses and uniforms to classic wartime-inspired outfits, your efforts helped bring the era to life and added to the atmosphere that made the event so memorable.

The evening was a resounding success with everyone embracing the fun and enjoying a wonderful evening of music, dancing, and nostalgia. The Vulcan Restoration Trust would like to thank everyone who attend the event, your support means so much to raise vital funds for keeping XL426 in taxiing condition.

Let us know how much you enjoyed the event in the comments 💬

Images with thanks to Jason Gore Photography

**or is it?! Keep your eye peeled on our socials for an exciting announcement coming soon 👀

03/10/2026

What's it like to lift the nose wheel 🛞on a Vulcan during a high speed taxi?

Ex Vulcan pilot Kev Rumans describes that moment from our high speed taxi on the 12th September 2026 ✈️.

Video with thanks to Andy Lockwood

29/09/2026

This year, over 2000 people of all ages have visited XL426 on our renowned Visit the Vulcan Days.

On Sunday, we welcomed the Westland Scout AH1 XV130 which entertained the crowds with multiple engine runs throughout the day. Families were able to view the iconic Vulcan XL426 in her hangar and have a tour of the cockpit with ex Vulcan personal. The Vulcan Restoration Trust wishes to express it's thanks to Mike, Bob, Peter and Jim for entertaining the public with their stories.

The Caterham and Lotus Seven Club brought along a stunning selection of cars, whilst the Shoeburyness and South Essex Branch Royal Artillery Association Est. 1929 & the Norfolk Great War Living History Group were on hand with military displays from throughout the ages. Children and adults alike were able to explore an Essex Police van and several fire engines. After all that activity, Datum Attitude Brewing Co, Eats on the Streets and Chengs Doughnuts in Essex were a popular spot for refreshments.

The Hangar shop was open throughout the day for people to be able to take away a momentum of the Vulcan and XL426. The online shop is open 365 days a year for anyone wanting to make an additional purchase! https://shop.avrovulcan.com/

The Vulcan Restoration Trust would like to thank everyone who has supported throughout the year. Events such as the Visit the Vulcan days raise vital funds which enable XL426 to be kept in live taxiing condition.

Images, with thanks to Jason Gore Photography