A unique, large-scale sculptural model of the 1961 Avro Vulcan B2 strategic bomber, no. XJ783, which was in RAF service from 1961 until 1983. The model is constructed in Elwell’s signature style, with hand-formed, riveted panels, in keeping with the aircraft’s design, and features polished copper exhausts, RAF decals, and its call sign XJ783. John Elwell’s sculptural models are all unique, one-of-a-kind pieces taking over 1,000 hours to create – once a model has been made, it will never be repeated. The Vulcan is displayed upon a bespoke stand, also designed and manufactured by John Elwell, and can be displayed fully banked from horizontal to vertical. To the underside is affixed an engraved Sterling silver plaque signed Vulcan B2, John Elwell, 1/1, 2015. Condition notes: Some scuffing to the black hardwood base.
John Elwell (English, b. 1949), a former aviation engineer, personally worked on Vulcan XJ783 as a young engineer and it was delivered for service in the No. 83 Squadron at RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire in March 1961. In 1964, the plane was transferred to RAF Finningley and that year returned to Avro for a retrofit, re-entering service again in 1966. After relocations to Waddington, Cottesmore, and RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, XJ783 returned to RAF Scampton in 1981, and was scrapped the following year. The last remaining airborne Vulcan bomber, call sign XH558, made its final flight in 2015, marking the end of service for this Cold War icon, one of the greatest achievements of British aerospace engineering.
Wingspan width: 50 in. (127 cm). Height including stand: 80 in. (204 cm). Length: 55 in. (140 cm).