Avro Vulcan XM602 

Vulcan B.Mk 2 bomber XM602 completed at Woodford on 11th November 1963, fitted with Olympus 301 engines. First flight in November 1963 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, she 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 9 Sqn, 230 OCU, 35 Sqn and finally 101 Sqn in 1975, 1979 and 1980 respectively. By this time the paint scheme had changed to what you see here, applied for the low level role that the Vulcan was then used for. XM602 travelled extensively to British & American bases throughout the World before being retired by the Royal Air Force in 1982 (just missing the Falklands conflict). XM602 was initially preserved at RAF St. Athan in 1982, but it was eventually scrapped in 1993, with the nose section being recovered by the Avro Heritage Centre (as it then was) and transferred to Woodford. Preserved here as a visitor Vulcan cockpit experience" bookable at the reception. 

(Colour Photographs) - BAE Systems PLC Avro Heritage Trust Ltd