The Avro Vulcan was a British long-range bomber used by the Royal Air Force during the Cold War. Conceived to carry nuclear weapons, it could strike Soviet targets in the Urals region, flying eastwards over the Scandinavian peninsula and Finland. This aircraft took part in the Falklands War, attacking Argentinean positions on Eastern Falkland in May and June 1982. During its 28-year-long career, it also served as a strategic reconnaissance and even tanker before its retirement in 1984. A total of 136 bombers were built.
Designed in 1947, the prototype of the Vulcan, the Avro Type 698, flew for the first time on August 30, 1952, entering service four years later on September 20, 1956. The first production version of the aircraft was the B.Mk-1 (B.1). It was followed by the B.Mk-2, which had more powerful engines (four Bristol Olympus 301 engines) and strengthened larger wings. The Vulcan's assignment was carry out preemptive nuclear strikes on targets deep in Soviet territory, or to retaliate in the event of the Soviet nuclear attack on Great Britain. To achieve its goals, this British bomber was armed with heavy free-falling atomic and hydrogen bombs. In the 1970s, it would be equipped with the Blue Steel, which was a nuclear-tipped air-to-ground missile.
Below, front view of the bomber as it flies over the English countryside in the 1970s.
Technical Characteristics
The Avro Vulcan was a five-seat, four-engine, monoplane, with delta wing and all-metal fuselage. The aircraft center section was composed of sub-assemblies, which produced a very strong structure when joined together. This enable the bomber to carry a heavy bomb-load of 47,300-lb (21,454-kg) of bombs. Because of its height (when it was parked), many of the access panels were located underneath the aircraft, which was convenient for the technicians. It was equipped with a flight refueling system, which extended its range considerably. It was employed to carry out its bombing missions during the Falklands War.
At the beginning, the bomber prototype wing had straight leading edge, but it would be bent or curved towards the tip in the production aircraft to help eliminate buffeting in high-G maneuvering at high altitudes. Since it had no tail plane (horizontal stabilizer), only the fin, all control surfaces were located on the wing. Roll control was provided by highly effective ailrons, which were mounted outboard.
The Vulcan flew with a crew of five, with the pilot and co-pilot sitting on ejection seats below the canopy. The the other three members of the crew, the navigator, air electronics officer, and radar operator had to jump out of aircraft manually by opening a lateral hatch in case of emergency. The fairing on the tip of tail fin housed a passive counter-measures antenna. However, most of the defensive electronics were located in the tail cone. The Bristol (Rolls Royce) Olympus turbojet engines could deliver slightly more than 20,000 pounds of thrust; in other words, the equivalent of 18 railways locomotives. They were mounted in the roots of wings.
Specifications
Type: long-range strategic bomber
Length: 30.50 m (100 feet, 1 inch)
Wing Span: 33.83 m (111 feet)
Wing Area: 368.30 m2 (3,964 square feet)
Height: 8.29 m (27 feet, 1 inch)
Power Plant: four Bristol Olympus 301 turbojet engines.
Maximum Speed: 1,039 km/h (645 mph)
Range: 5,550 km (3,450 miles)
Service Ceiling: 14,000 m
Crew: 5
Armament: Blue Danube hydrogen bomb; Blue Steel nuclear cruise missiles; or 21,454-kg (47,300-lb) of conventional bombs.
Below, the first production aircraft of the Vulcan in the Summer of 1956. It was the B.Mk-1 version.
The British bomber, B.Mk-2, XM650, in flight in 1983, one year it was withdrawn from service.
A Vulcan B.Mk-2, XM575, makes a turn as it flies over Lincoln Cathedral on its way to its base.
The delta-winged British bomber in flight over the French countryside during a NATO military exercises.
Below, the layout of aircraft cockpit. You can see the position each crew member occupied during flight.
The cockpit flight panel in front pilot and co-pilot.
