Association members will be well aware that one famous aircraft in the Squadron’s history is Vulcan B2 XM607. If it hasn’t been possible to visit Waddington and see the aircraft displayed on the airfield, its role in the Black Buck operations of 1982 during the Falklands War may be well known following its published fame in the book VULCAN 607. Having successfully completed and established the viability of long distance conventional bombing aided by exceptional tanker aircraft support during Black Buck 1, 607 went on to complete Black Buck 2 and Black Buck 7. VULCAN 607 described the complex tasks of modifying the aircraft and training crews which the new bombing role required; what is often forgotten is that 44 Squadron had been planning for disbandment in its last year of operation. So following its record-breaking activities during the Falklands War, 607 was finally withdrawn from operational use on 17 December 1982, and awaited its fate. On 19 January 1983, 607 was officially assigned to RAF Waddington for preservation.

Most RAF aircraft on retirement usually find themselves sold, moved to a hangar to provide hands-on training for future engineers, or towed to a station ‘fire dump’ where they spend their remaining lives being torched by firemen practising rescue techniques. The intention for 607 was clearly to keep it in one piece as a part of the station’s and the RAF’s history, and in the Spring of 1983, 607 was parked in the open air, facing a fence on the airfield side of the High Dyke. To clearly show its final and famous operating role during Black Buck it was accompanied by Victor K2 tanker XL189.  That cosy relationship lasted until about 1993 when it was decreed that station ‘gate guards’ would be limited to one aircraft, and the Victor was scrapped.

But the station’s role was changing. A move was necessary when Waddington’s expansion demanded 607’s parking lot. 607 was moved across the airfield to its own concrete apron adjacent to the A15 Sleaford road, and there it stayed until 2021. During its long tenure on the A15, 607 occasionally received attention from station engineers, but planned support was inevitably difficult due to intensive operational commitments. During this period, 607 received visitors from another preserved Vulcan team which stripped the cockpit of all equipment. 607’s deteriorating condition was noted by the Association whose members routinely visited the aircraft during annual reunions. By 2013 the deterioration of the aircraft was officially recognised and 607 was effectively quarantined by the station as a safety measure, denying members the opportunity to stand under the aircraft and inspect it, and the trolley mounted bomb loads. In that year the Association approached the Station requesting an opportunity for the author to carry out a structure and systems survey.  Permission was received and the survey carried out in August 2013, with the much welcome support of No 8 Sqn engineers. Extensive corrosion and contamination were found which, no doubt, had led to 607’s quarantine; the author recalled a Vulcan B1A parked at Cranwell, the starboard wing of which collapsed after only 8 years of outside storage. Of immediate concern on 607 were the large number of corrosion holes on the upper fuselage and wings. The station was therefore requested to carry out  rescue housekeeping and, if there was any intention to move the aircraft, more detailed surveys of the undercarriage were recommended. A further survey was conducted by the author in May 2017 and in subsequent years the Association encouraged the Station to carry out more extensive recovery work to ensure that the aircraft would survive to become a lasting memorial. That encouragement eventually bore fruit in 2020 when the Station Commander, Gp Capt Steve Kilvington, appointed a project officer, Sqn Ldr (now Wg Cdr) Suzi Wall, supported by volunteers FS Dave Parking and Chf Tech Steve Lowe. They were soon joined by more engineers keen to be involved in 607’s recovery. The project team’s early tasks were to gather as much advice and experience as possible from the volunteer teams supporting other Vulcans which had been preserved in the UK. It is important to note here the excellent direct support provided by the Newark Air Museum (XM594), City of Norwich Aviation Museum (XM612), and the Vulcan Restoration Trust at Southend Airport (XL426). Their combined depth of knowledge on preservation matters and loan of vital equipment at critical stages have been outstanding.

A thorough survey of the aircraft now required space in a hangar. To move the aircraft from its long standing home, tools, equipment, and workshops were located to overhaul the first vital components – the wheels. The wheels were found to be in reasonable condition but needed ‘bay servicing’ and it was interesting to note that Vulcan and Victor mainwheels were essentially the same. Undercarriage structure was checked, safety items were borrowed from Norwich, and a towing arm provided by the Newark Air Museum. Finally a date was set for 607’s initial move across the runway threshold to the former 8 Sqn apron – 28 July 2021.

Weather on the move day was perfect. Wheels were now ready to move but there was a drop down from the concrete base across the grass onto the taxiway. Time to call in the cavalry. JARTS, the specialist team whose role is to recover aircraft involved in accidents or which need specialised equipment to move an aircraft (they were called the Smash and Crash Team in my day), seemed to make light work of easing 607 from its perch and gently towing it across the runway.

On the move at last

607 was now outside a new temporary home, the hangar built for the larger Boeing 707 Sentry. Suzi Wall and her team now had a new recovery phase to manage and consider realistic timescales for the way ahead. Much work to be done to examine the aircraft in detail but also a new target – the 40th anniversary of Black Buck 1 on 1 May 2022. The station planned to celebrate the anniversary and 607 would need to be the backdrop.  The hands-on recovery team led by Dave Parkin and Steve Lowe established organised scheduled work sessions which took account of the availability of team members and their particular skills and that system continues today. To provide clearer access to the aircraft’s external structure, a new team temporarily joined the group. Their task was to strip the aircraft of its faded paint down to bare metal in some areas.   Looking particularly odd were the normally iconic black undercarriage legs which were bare metal. And this is how 607 appeared for its starring role at the 40th anniversary dinner.

Stripped, ready for painting

After the 40th anniversary, Suzi’s challenge was to source funding for a complete repaint of 607 to return it to its Black Buck camouflage and markings. This challenge was successful, due in no small part to the time and effort expended by Suzi who, in the meantime, was promoted and posted to MoD Bristol. At this stage she would normally hand over to a new Project Manager, but unfazed by the additional workload, and inspired by the enthusiasm of her team, Suzi has convinced both Waddington and MoD that she should stay in post to see the project through.

Repainting eventually started in 2023 and a first class job was completed by Painter and Finisher Steve Hands and his team. Suzi and her team were keen to see the repaint finished before allowing access to visitors, but how and when should the new paint job be unveiled?  The answer was provided by Royal Appointment. His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Waddington, was programmed to visit the station on 9 June. He would be invited to inspect 607 and meet personnel involved in the history and recovery of the aircraft. Plans were kept low key until nearer the day and all the stops were pulled out with the painters and engineers working weekends and bank holidays to prepare both the aircraft and a matching display of memorabilia. On the day, the station commander, Gp Capt Mark Lorriman-Hughes, joined Black Buck veterans and the host team for a celebration of a job well done. XM607 is a major part of the RAF’s operational history and the Association is proud to be an important stakeholder in its refurbishment.

Wear, tear and the environment have done much damage to the aircraft over the years, and the refurbishment programme will continue with repairs and manufacture of replacement items. Following a successful Phase One, thoughts are now turning to future plans. These might include identifying suitable parking slots around the airfield to allow 607 to become a moving exhibit, replacement of missing equipment in the cockpit, and a dedicated maintenance facility. After a long wait, 607’s future now seems assured.

The stunning result

The author would like to thank Flight Sergeant Parkin and Chief Technician Steve Lowe for their additional support with photographs.