The Ghost of XL319

[Ray C]

During a very wet visit to Blackpool on business last week, I found myself near the site where XL319 stood for over 20 years (edge of Blackpool airport). thinking there my be a story still to tell obout her I venturured into the nearest hanger and bingo my questions led me to meet Brian Bateson the final owner of her.

He was understandably cautious at first, but relaxed and told me what I'm sure has been publicised nearly eight years ago, the pub landlord buying it on e bay for just under £15,000 then pulling out due to a potential £20,000 to move her if she made it from Blackpool to Manchester, by the sound of her condition most of the structure would litter the M6 & M62 . That aside he had to resolve the fact that her hard standing area was to be built on, regretfully it was the scrapman who won and bought her for £4,800.

"Did you save any mementos from her I asked", he then led me to a lounge in his hanger and showed of flair gun and what looked like the control panel that fits between pilot and co pilot seats. Is that it ? I said, yep vandals had over the years stripped the cabin bare ! On that note I thanked him for his time and information and left.

I then decided to track down the scrap merchants with the hair brained idea that they could still have some bit's of XL319. Having located them I called in anticipation that even after nearly eight years some undercarriage or a pilot seat or mybe an Olimpus engine was sitting there waiting for me to rescue them.

My call was taken by some "Mutant" who yelled across the office " have we got any Vulcan bits left ?" There was a silence and then audible laughter with the phone passed on to I think the owner, he politely discussed my reason for the call and told me" in these days metal like that is gone in no time" ahhh well so I won't make a detective.

Next week I'm doing the XH558 tour on Tuesday the 8th "Brill"

RIP XL319

[Jigsaw]

Thanks for posting that mate.
The information may already be out there but at least you took the time to find out for yourself and to share it with would be interested parties

[MOD]

Thanks Ray for the post and enjoy your 558 visit.


Mod

[Jet Morgan]

Thanks for posting an account of your Vulcan hunting adventures, an interesting read.

[Avro683]

Nice to know something of XL319 survives..