XM597

Possibly the second most significant Vulcan Survivor is XM597, after XM607. '597 is a Black Buck veteran and one of only two Vulcans to use live weapons in anger, being used as the primary aircraft on the cancelled Black Buck 4, and performing Black Buck 5 and 6. Black Buck 6 ended in the famous incident where the IFR probe broke and the aircraft had to divert to Brazil, with a Shrike still attached they couldn't get rid of. 

Today '597 is the only complete Vulcan preserved in Scotland, and is unfortunately outside; the Scottish weather has not been kind to it. Despite the museum's best efforts, a planned new hangar is still bogged down in permissions and paperwork, with the deteriorating condition of the aircraft some wonder about what lies in this Vulcan's future. 

 

Image credit - wikimedia commons