Avro Vulcan B.Mk2 XM655 Sunset & Night Shoot at Wellesbourne

About this event

We are extremely pleased to be returning to Wellesbourne this Autumn to continue our support of this much loved Avro Vulcan. With the continued uncertainty over the airfield we feel this support is vital as not only does it raise much needed funds it also helps to raise awareness of this icon through the huge untold marketing of the wonderful images captured on these events. So come with us as we recreate scenes of a bygone age when the Vulcan was the mainstay of the UK's Cold Way V Force and latter day Bomber Command. If you've been to a previous event you know just how great an opportunity this is, and if you have been before make a return as there are always different images to capture. 

Avro Vulcan XM655 was third from last of the Vulcan bombers produced for the Royal Air Force, being delivered in late 1964, and was part of the UK's nuclear deterrent force throughout the 1960s and 1970s. It is now owned by Wellesbourne Airfield, and is looked after by 655 Maintenance and Preservation Society (655MaPS) which is a volunteer organisation of Vulcan enthusiasts. XM655 is one of only two Vulcans remaining in ground running condition, the only one with the most powerful of the engine variants, the Bristol Olympus 301s. The aim of 655MaPS is to keep this fine example of British engineering in running condition for as long as possible and to raise much needed funds by showing her off to the adoring public on a regular basis with 'fast taxi runs'. 

It was 54 years ago when XM655 first entered service with the RAF and 34 years since her landing at her then new home of Wellesbourne Airfield. Our first event back in November 2014 was part of the celebrations to mark these milestones and saw just under a hundred photographers gather to capture some very special images. So successful was our first and subsequent events in 2015 & 2017 that we extremely pleased to be return once again in October 2019. 

Our event will start at 15.00 with a welcome address from the Chairman of 655MaPS. Shortly after this we will start our photography taking advantage of the late Autumn afternoon light. There will be various cameos set up for you to enjoy, these will include ‘Cold War’ Re-Enactors that will be playing the parts of Ground Crew and Airman. The Society have some wonderful equipment that will also be at our disposal such as a genuine tug, towing arm and of course the all important payload loaded in the bomb bay (we are assured that these are models and not the real thing…). XM655 will be positioned on the taxiway directly in front of where she normally lives, this will afford us the luxury of a clear backdrop. After dark we will be lighting XM655 and will continue the theme of recreating cameos that represent those everyday scenes that were once commonplace on RAF Bases around the UK. To ensure you don't miss any of the action there will be hot food and drinks available for you to enjoy (at extra cost) all evening just off to the side of where the photography will happen. The photography is due to finish around 20.30 with XM655 set in a full state of 'ready to depart', all her lights on and ground crew giving her pilot directions from the taxi way. 

We hope many of you will wish to join us again or for the first time, so we therefore look forward to seeing you on the day. 

For more information on XM655 and how you can support the Society or become a member of 655MaPS please click this link to their homepage, www.xm655.com                                                                                                                                  

Event requirements

Equipment

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

Knowledge

• All levels welcome

Fitness

• Medium

Other essentials

• Sturdy outdoor shoes
• Warm clothing
• Wet weather gear