GET up close to the Vulcan XL426 aircraft at an event that marks the 40th anniversary of the Falklands conflict and the Operation Black Buck missions.

The Operation Black Buck Twilight Taxi-Run event takes place on Saturday May 21 at Southend Airport runway.

Visitors will have an uninterruptedviews while the Vulcan XL426 carries out two taxi-runs on the Southend Airport runway.

The second run will be a highspeed pass. Afterwards the Vulcan will be lit up and joined by period re-enactors for a special photo opportunity.

The event commemorates the longest bombing raids in the history of warfare. During the 1982 conflict, Royal Air Force Avro Vulcan bombers flew five missions against the Argentinean-occupied Falkland Islands to deny use of the runway at Port Stanley Airportto Argentine jet fighters and to destroy radar sites on the islands.

Taking off from Ascension Island in the mid-Atlantic, the Vulcans, accompanied by a fleet of RAF Handley Page Victor air-to-air refuelling tankers, flew south to the Falklands inmissions over 8,000 miles long and lasting 16 hours. The Vulcan and Victor crews had not trained for such a role in over 20 years and the Black Buck missions were a true test of their airmanship and ingenuity.

The Southend event will kick off with a Secret Cinema showing of the TV documentary film Falklands’ Most Daring Raid in association with the 2022 Southend Film Festival. Special guest for the evening will be Hugh Prior, who was the air electronics officer on the first Black Buck mission.

Hugh features in Falklands’ Most Daring Raid and successfully jammed an Argentinean fire control radar just as his Vulcan was about to drop its bombs, ensuring the mission’s success. Gates open at 5.30pm. Adult tickets cost £65; VRT member adult ticket £40; under-16 £25.00.

Due to London Southend Airport rules, children under 12 cannot be admitted.They cannot allow any animals, with the exception of assistance dogs, into the event. Teas, coffees and hot refreshments will be on sale throughoutthe evening.

The Vulcan Restoration Trust owns and maintains XL426 at London Southend Airport. There are open days held throughout the year and at other events.

Visit www.avrovulcan.com/events/operation-blackbuck-twilight-taxi-run.