Avro Vulcan | The British Strategic Bomber | A Tailless Delta Wing Marvel Of Engineering
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- Опубліковано 6 жов 2024
- Learn about the remarkable British Avro Vulcan Strategic Bomber, including the amazing mission in the Falklands, during the Argentinian conflict.
The Avro Vulcan (later Hawker Siddeley Vulcan from July 1963) is a jet-powered, tailless, delta-wing, high-altitude, strategic bomber, which was operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF) from 1956 until 1984. Aircraft manufacturer A.V. Roe and Company (Avro) designed the Vulcan in response to Specification B.35/46. Of the three V bombers produced, the Vulcan was considered the most technically advanced, hence the riskiest option. Several reduced-scale aircraft, designated Avro 707s, were produced to test and refine the delta-wing design principles.
The Vulcan B.1 was first delivered to the RAF in 1956; deliveries of the improved Vulcan B.2 started in 1960. The B.2 featured more powerful engines, a larger wing, an improved electrical system, and electronic countermeasures, and many were modified to accept the Blue Steel missile. As a part of the V-force, the Vulcan was the backbone of the United Kingdom's airborne nuclear deterrent during much of the Cold War. Although the Vulcan was typically armed with nuclear weapons, it could also carry out conventional bombing missions, which it did in Operation Black Buck during the Falklands War between the United Kingdom and Argentina in 1982.
The Vulcan had no defensive weaponry, initially relying upon high-speed, high-altitude flight to evade interception. Electronic countermeasures were employed by the B.1 (designated B.1A) and B.2 from around 1960. A change to low-level tactics was made in the mid-1960s. In the mid-1970s, nine Vulcans were adapted for maritime radar reconnaissance operations, redesignated as B.2 (MRR). In the final years of service, six Vulcans were converted to the K.2 tanker configuration for aerial refueling.
After retirement by the RAF, one example, B.2 XH558, named The Spirit of Great Britain, was restored for use in display flights and air shows, whilst two other B.2s, XL426 and XM655, have been kept in taxiable condition for ground runs and demonstrations. B.2 XH558 flew for the last time in October 2015, and is also being kept in taxiable condition.
The origin of the Vulcan and the other V bombers is linked with early British atomic weapon programme and nuclear deterrent policies. Britain's atom bomb programme began with Air Staff Operational Requirement OR.1001 issued in August 1946. This anticipated a government decision in January 1947 to authorise research and development work on atomic weapons, the U.S. Atomic Energy Act of 1946 (McMahon Act) having prohibited exporting atomic knowledge, even to countries that had collaborated on the Manhattan Project. OR.1001 envisaged a weapon not to exceed 24 ft 2 in (7.37 m) in length, 5 ft (1.5 m) in diameter and 10,000 lb (4,500 kg) in weight. The weapon had to be suitable for release from 20,000 to 50,000 ft (6,100 to 15,200 m).
In January 1947, the Ministry of Supply distributed Specification B.35/46 to UK aviation companies to satisfy Air Staff Operational Requirement OR.229 for "a medium range bomber landplane capable of carrying one 10,000 lb (4,500 kg) bomb to a target 1,500 nautical miles (1,700 mi; 2,800 km) from a base which may be anywhere in the world." A cruising speed of 500 knots (580 mph; 930 km/h) at altitudes between 35,000 and 50,000 ft (11,000 and 15,000 m) was specified. The maximum weight when fully loaded should not exceed 100,000 lb (45,000 kg). Alternatively, the aircraft was to be capable of carrying a conventional bomb load of 20,000 lb (9,100 kg).
Specifications:
Data from Polmar, Laming
General characteristics
Crew: 5 (pilot, co-pilot, AEO, Navigator Radar, Navigator Plotter)
Length: 97 ft 1 in (29.59 m)
Wingspan: 99 ft 5 in (30.30 m)
Height: 26 ft 6 in (8.08 m)
Wing area: 3,554 sq ft (330.2 m2)
Airfoil: root: NACA 0010 mod.; tip: NACA 0008 mod.
Empty weight: 83,573 lb (37,908 kg) equipped and crewed
Max takeoff weight: 170,000 lb (77,111 kg)
Fuel capacity: 9,280 imp gal (11,140 US gal; 42,200 l); 74,240 lb (33,675 kg)
Powerplant: 4 × Bristol Olympus Mk.101 / Mk.102 / Mk.104 twin-spool turbojet engines, 11,000 lbf (49 kN) thrust each
Performance
Maximum speed: 561 kn (646 mph, 1,039 km/h) at altitude
Maximum speed: Mach 0.96
Cruise speed: 493 kn (567 mph, 913 km/h) / M0.86 at 45,000 feet (14,000 m)
Range: 2,265 nmi (2,607 mi, 4,195 km)
Service ceiling: 55,000 ft (17,000 m)
Thrust/weight: 0.31
Armament
21 × 1,000 pounds (454 kg) of conventional bombs
1 × Blue Danube nuclear gravity bomb
1 × Violet Club 400 kt nuclear gravity bomb
1 × U.S. Mark 5 nuclear gravity bomb supplied under Project E
1 × Yellow Sun Mk.1 400 kt nuclear gravity bomb
1 × Yellow Sun Mk.2 1.1 Mt thermonuclear gravity bomb
1 × Red Beard nuclear gravity bomb
1 × WE.177B parachute-retarded nuclear gravity bomb
#avro #vulcan #bomber
What a beautifully styled aircraft. Our British friends created another winner with the Vulcan
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It was simple too ?, the air frames were past there use by date due to low flying and not being able to put modern stuff in the cockpit .
unfortunately .
It amazes me that it was doing barrel rolls at an airshow over 70 years ago. Lancasters of ww2 to this in 7 years. Doesn't seem possible, but I guess all the engineers were used to working fast under immense pressure during the war years and designers on both sides of the pond built up a head of steam with many wonderful results.
My father built vulcans at the Woodford factory. Grew up with them and my dad was a bit of a well known figure there. Vulcan XM 603 is still on site there now at the Avro Heritage Museum
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I worked at Ascension island during the Falklands "Crisis" it was an awesme sight to see the Vulcans and Victors coming in after the incredible long flights, that airport was hoping it was exciting times!
So proud to be British! I just wish we had kept up our lead in aviation. The vulcan Shoukd have been continually updated and upgraded and should still be serving 😔
Yep
A beautiful aircraft, up there with the Spitfire, P-51D, B-29, F-14, a genuine jaw dropping stunner.
The aeronautical progress between 1942 and 1952 is astounding.
The RAF should have kept renewing this aircraft. As the USAF has done. It was an excellent aircraft and it worked very well during the Falkland war of 1982. And to think it's designer was the same man wh0 designed the Avro Lancaster Roy Chadwicks
I agree. I agree. I agree! Should of kept it modified it.
It became mostly redundant after SAMs became more common, and the job of dropping bombs went to more versatile aircraft like Tornado, which were also better suited to low level strike.
Simply the most beautiful and terrifying object ever crafted by human hands.
It would have been 1979 /80 I'm not sure but for some reason a Vulcan made a low pass over Rolls Royce in Derby. I saw it as it passed over the city centre slowly and really low. Traffic slowed right down as people gaped at the sight. Then suddenly there was a great roar and black smoke emanated from its engines, it seemed to stand on its tail and seconds later it was gone. Unforgettable thing of great beauty.
The RAF should develop a new generation of Vulcans with updated engines, electronics and stealth construction. I bet it'll still be a bomber to be reckon with! ✌️
The question is why? We have bombers. They're called Typhoons and they can also do so much more.
The sound of a Vulcan spooling up is jaw-dropping and something I'll never forget !
I saw the display Vulcan many years at the Leuchars airshow including the last Leuchars airshow I went to with my dad and my grandad who was WW2 pilot. He was in his 90s at the time.
Highlight of the show for me and I'll never forget it. The sound of the aircraft at full chat climbing post simulated bombing was amazing.
Luv and Peace.
My dad was with 101 sqdn on ascention in 82.. love the vulcan.
Bless him
The greatest effect that bombing Stanley had was that it showed that the RAF could reach the Argentinian mainland and it forced them to keep a sizeable force of fighters back to defend their territory. This left fewer fighters to escort bombing missions against our ground forces and allowed the Sea Harriers to dominate that airspace.
Great bomber. Far ahead of its time.
It certainly was the concord had a lot of similarities to it
The actual reason for Argentina not using the airfield at Stanley for stationing fighter planes, i.e. the Mirage, was it short runway. Only the Pucarás and Aeromachis landed at sufficient low speed to be able to use it. Both Mirages, A4s and Super Etendard were deployed from the contient, and the lack of air refueling made the latter limit their efectiveness to just being able to pick an objective and attack it in only a couple of seconds before having to return to base o else they will be force to ditch in the ocean.
I was on holiday on Loch Awe in Scotland in April or May 1982. We were on an island in the middle of the Lochwhen a low flying large aircraft flew overhead. I suspect that it was on early training for the Falklands
she still locks futuristic 70 + years after her first flight!
I'm pretty confident that the USAF B-2 has the record now for longest bombing mission. I worked on them in the USAF when they were new. Love the Vulcan though.
Did you know they had a military exercise with America and one got through to the white house as the yanks had nothing to stop it , in those days mark Felton has a story on it have a look .
@@kevinduffy6712 I do believe I've heard that before. But I will give it a look.
The Vulcan so my favourite plane! There is an air museum near my town that has a Vulcan and they slow you to go inside the cockpit!
I have to give PM Thatcher credit. She didn't back down, and let the UK armed forces do their job. The UK personnel also fought and defeated a much larger Argentine Naval, Airforce and Army. It's too bad the U.S and U.K does not have a Regan, Thatcher or a JFK in charge today in 2023 defending freedom. From a U.S Navy veteran
Thanks for your service!
I was in the USAF when Carter was in. And, I was still in when President Reagan was in. The difference was like going from the Keystone Cops that couldn't fight their way out of a paper bag... to an actual military!!! Now, it isn't even the Keystone Cops... it's fricking circus clowns, makeup and all. Russia and China and Iran and North Korea, hell the entire world... is LAUGHING at us.
They were all ghouls. Almost every leader is/was.
When I was at RAF Swinderby in 1974 we had one of these for the fly over at the passing out parade .
It came up over the stand where the people watching were siting and startled the shit out of them !
We were facing them it must have been nearly on the ground as we couldn't see the thing till it came up over the stand it was very impressive , As it powered up over our heads , I think thats why we had to have chin straps on our hats as you could feel the jet blast .
It all so had a distinct growl and scream from the engines .
It would have shocked the Argentinians on the ground as they wouldn't have heard it till it was over them .
The phycological effect on them would have been enormous .
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That’s a really good looking aircraft!
The vulcan bomber can out turn a euro typhoon fighter. Bloody wicked.
Great video!! Great aircraft!! Brings back some great memories
The flick bombing they talk about in this video is actually called ‘Loft bombing’, still used up to today when throwing dumb bombs 💣
Looks several decades ahead of its time. Throw some modern engines on that beast and it looks like it could be flying today.
Another excellent documentary, been watching quite a few and you seem to have a lot of rarely seen factual content. Refreshingly, without the added excitement of screeching guitars on the American stuff. That alone gets my sub and thanks for an entertaining learning experience Dronescapes
Wow, thank you!
The difficulty with the V bomber fleet was that almost as soon as it was operational the Russians had anti-aircraft missiles that could shoot it down. This is why, if the UK was to have a credible nuclear deterrent, it had to be delivered from nuclear submarine launched missiles, which we still use. The Vulcan was a wonderful aircraft and I loved seeing it as a child, but the truth is that within ten years of entering service, it was obsolete. The further truth is that the Harriers did far more damage to Port Stanley airfield during the Argentinian occupation of the Falkland Islands than the Vulcans: Sorry to be such a downer, but as they say around RAF Lossiemouth, 'Facts are chiels that winna ding'... or somesuch.
It was a political move to get the RAF in the game. Otherwise it was literally the RN & Army doing it all in the Falklands. The raids showed how inadequate the RAF were with tanking and straight away after they requisitioned the tristars from BA to convert into tankers. They had range & payload. My favourite stories about the refuelling probe adapter being used as an ashtray in a rec room & being brought back to service & the story about landing in brazil just before the pope went to visit with 600kg fuel!
Are you aware of Operation Skyshield? If not try checking it out.
British engineering at its best. So sad she is now grounded.
First flow at Farnborough the day I was born!
Never mind me, I have some of Bills old Bucking Bars. Thanks Bill!
The coolest mission with the most wicked bomber. Daimmmm
The prime minister then was a fierce British Bulldog. No pushover. Respect!
Who is that?
This plane looks very cool
beautifully stunning plane.
It really is!
I worked for BAe UK 1982 Falklands Vulcan
Seems to me that this plane would make a huge target once spotted
The amazing B2
Is no-one going to mention the Brazil incident? (Black Buck 6)
BAe the best in the world
Erm, Avro.
In all honesty, was this extraordinary mission to the Falklands just a morale boost exercise?
Was there a reason not to use cruise missiles or bombs dropped by a carrier based Harrier?
Interesting observation
The use of Vulcans was to send a message about UK ability to hit mainland Argentina. The Harriers wouldn't have achieved this.
Tailless?
It seems to have a tail
To me
The Vulcan was a throw back to the Lancasters , Halifaxes , Stirlings ..the Heavies but it was the RAF raming it home with the Vulcan .