XL426 To Go Back Inside Hangar 6

Written by: Richard Clarkson

Ever since Air Livery vacated Hangar 6 at London Southend Airport last year, we have been in discussions with the airport's management to explore the possibility of moving XL426 back under cover.

XL426 previously occupied Hangar 6 for a short period in 2017. However, a fire in a hangar elsewhere on the airport meant XL426 had to move out to make way for businesses made homeless by the fire.

We are now very pleased to report that our discussions have borne fruit and that the keys to Hangar 6 are back in our possession!

A lease is being drawn-up that will also include the former Storm offices at the rear of Hangar 5. Taken together with our current occupancy of Hangar 5, this means we will have use of the whole Hangar 5 & 6 ‘block’, an area in excess of 4,500 square metres.

Our lease will be for either three or five years with the possibility of extension. It will, unfortunately, also include a six month ‘break clause’ (as did our previous lease) but it is realistically the best we can hope for.

A considerable amount of work must be done before Hangar 6 will be ready to welcome XL426. This includes roof repairs, as well as electrical works, and the hangar's walls and floor need deep cleaning.

We have, therefore, launched the Vulcan XL426 Back to Hangar 6 Appeal to raise the £30,000 we need to get Hangar 6 ready and to turn it into a fit-for-purpose facility to which we can welcome visitors. We are now accepting donations to the Appeal on our JustGiving page, where you can also find out more about the move.

Initial work has already started and we will keep you up-to-date on progress over the coming weeks. Our aim is to have XL426 back in Hangar 6 in time for her 60th Birthday in August!

We appreciate that times are hard for many at present, but we very much hope you will be able to support us and help us put XL426 under cover again.