Yorkshire Air Museum
Victor Night Shoot, Elvington
November 8, 2025
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May 2025:
The scaffolding erected by Kaefer. |
A photo-report from the COAP event showcasing Victor K.2 (XL231), formally known as 'Lusty Lindy'. Following its June repaint, it now wears Falklands-era camouflage for the first time in 40 years, matching the Victors that flew from Ascension Island during the 1982 conflict.
The scaffolding for the repaint was generously provided free of charge by specialist firm Kaefer and took two days to assemble. The repainting itself was completed by Bagnalls, who restored the aircraft to the markings it wore while serving with 232 OCU Squadron. The work took approximately one month to complete. The official unveiling of the new livery took place at the museum's Cold War Wheels event on June 15, 2025.
The Handley Page Victor, a British jet-powered strategic bomber of the Cold War era, was the last of the three iconic 'V' bombers, joining the lesser-known Valiant and the renowned Vulcan. Aircraft XL231 entered service with No. 139 Squadron in 1962, was upgraded to B.2 standard in 1963, and later became the first of 24 Victor B.2s converted to K.2 air-to-air refuelling tankers in 1972. The K.2 variant carried 91,000 pounds of fuel, cruised at 640 mph (Mach 0.92) at 40,000 feet, and had a range of 3,500 miles.
By March 1982, XL231 was one of eleven Victor K.2s serving with 57 Squadron, while twelve more operated with 55 Squadron, all based at RAF Marham. The Victor K.2s played a vital role during the Falklands War, completing over 600 sorties from Ascension Island to support Vulcans, Nimrods, Hercules, and Harriers. XL231 and her sister aircraft continued in service through Operation Granby, the RAF's contribution to the 1991 Gulf War, providing essential aerial refuelling for Tornado aircraft. After her retirement in November 1993, XL231 then painted in Gulf War-era hemp and grey camouflage and affectionately named 'Lusty Lindy', was flown to Elvington for preservation at the museum, where she remains a proud reminder of Britain's Cold War aviation heritage. The aircraft is kept in ground operational condition by the Victor's owner, Andre Tempest and his ground crew.
Only five complete Handley Page Victors survive today, a B.1A at Duxford (XH648) and three K.2s at; Cosford (XH672), Bruntingthorpe (XM715) and Elvington (XL231).
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