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Thursday 18th November 2021 Woodford Aerodrome, Chester Road, Woodford, SK7 1AG

V Force Vulcan Bomber on QRA at Night

A unique opportunity to capture the only 'White' Vulcan at night. Join us again at the site where it all began to capture XM603 after dark and under staged lighting.

£60.00

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About this event

Vulcan Bombers were the mainstay of the UK's Nuclear Defences during the Cold War, however now the only 'White' Vulcan, XM603 is back where it all started. While the Woodford Factory is no longer the Avro Heritage Trust are preserving the icon that is the Vulcan Bomber at their perfectly placed Centre on the grounds of the former Woodford Factory and Airfield in Cheshire.   

After the resounding success of our first opportunity with XM603 in November 2017 we are returning and giving another limited number of photographers the chance to spend and evening capturing the only ‘White’ Avro Vulcan XL603 at her now final resting place. While it is accepted that some poetic license will be needed on this one we feel our knowledge of lighting and the fact that the shoot is taking place in Winter you will be forgiven for thinking you have been transported back to a ‘Cold War’ night when she was laying in wait for the call to GO!

An exclusive opportunity open to 50 photographers only, to capture XM603 outside her purpose built visitors centre at the former Avro Factory. The aircraft has never been professional lit and photographed at night with re-enactors playing the part of RAF Personnel. 

This Vulcan B.Mk 2 bomber XM603 was completed at Woodford on 29th November 1963, fitted with Olympus 301 engines.  First flew in the all white anti-flash paint scheme used for the high altitude role that it initially was designed for.  Delivered in November 1963 to No.12 Sqn, then formed part of the Coningsby Wing, which shortly moved to Cottesmore in Rutland in 1964.  This aeroplane then transferred to the Waddington Wing in 1968, and joined 50 Sqn in Aug 1975, then 101 Sqd in Dec 1980, 44 Sqn in July 1881, by this time the paint scheme had changed to what was applied for the low level role that the Vulcan was then used for. XM603 travelled extensively to British & American bases throughout the World before being retired by the Royal Air Force in 1982 (just missing the Falklands conflict).  XM603 was sold to (the then) British Aerospace & preserved at Woodford, arriving at Woodford on 12th March 1982, 603 was used as the trial mock up aircraft for the Vulcan K.Mk 2 tanker conversion (K.Mk 2s were used in Europe to support the Falklands "Black Buck” raids, by relieving the HP Victor K. Mk 2 tankers used in the South Atlantic & a number of items were removed to support operational Vulcan’s. 

It is also worth noting that this is the only Vulcan preserved in the original all-white paint scheme, as originally delivered to the RAF, and therefore carries no Squadron Markings.

There is free parking at the location and we plane to have plenty of hot and cold refreshments available throughout the event (at an extra cost) to help keep out the cold. Our event will run between 17.00 and 21.00 approx.

We hope many of you will want to join us on this rather exclusive photo opportunity and therefore advise early booking to avoid disappointment.

Images courtesy of TLE Photographers that attended our first event.

 

 

Event requirements

Equipment

  • Spare batteries
  • Camera
  • Filters
  • Lenses
  • Camera protection - rain covers etc
  • Tripod

Knowledge

  • All levels welcome

Fitness

  • Low

Other essentials

  • Sturdy outdoor shoes
  • Torch
  • Warm clothing

Event location

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