Vulcan
The Avro Vulcan was designed in the late 1940?s by the same team that built the Avro Lancaster, to carry the British atomic bomb. Despite the modern aspects of her design, only eleven years separated the first flight of the Vulcan from the first flight of the Lancaster. Surprisingly, the Vulcan's first flight in 1952 is nearer in time to the Wright Brothers first ever flight in 1903 than it is to today.
The Avro Vulcan was designed by A. V. Roe and Company at Chadderton near Manchester. Technical drawings were starting on the revolutionary delta-winged bomber in January 1947 to fulfill the requirements of the Ministry of Defence specification B35/46. This specification required an aircraft to be able to travel 3,350 nautical miles at a speed of 500 knots with an operating ceiling of 50,000 feet carrying a "special" payload of 10,000 pounds.
The first prototype Vulcan medium bomber flew on August 30, 1952. The Vulcan B.1 long-range medium bomber entered production in 1953, with the first production model flying on February 4, 1955. Planned re-equipment of Nos. 44, 50 and 101 Squadrons of RAF Bomber Command and No. 230 Operational Conversion Unit squadrons with this type was completed by the beginning of 1960. The B.Mk. 1A had electronics in a bulged tail-cone but was otherwise similar to the B.Mk. 1. Both versions carried five crew members, and progressively more powerful turbojets were installed during the production life of the B.Mks. 1 and 1A versions of the Vulcan.
In February 1963 Vulcans of No. 617 Sqn, RAF Scampton, were equipped with the Blue Steel stand-off air-to- surface nuclear missile following cancellation of the American Skybolt project. On 20-21 June 1961 the first non-stop UK - Australia flight was made by a Vulcan of No. 617 Sqn. The flight involved three aerial refuellings (over Cyprus, Karachi and Singapore) and covered the 11,500 miles (18,510 km) in 20 hr 3 min - an average speed of 573 mph (922 km/h).
The Vulcan B.2 was an extensively developed version of the basic design, featuring a wing of reduced thickness/chord ratio with more pronounced compound sweepback on the leading edges and slightly swept trailing edges. A prototype flew for the first time on 31 August 1957, and the first production aircraft flew a year later. Deliveries to No. 83 Squadron commencing in July 1960, and No. 617 Squadron was the second unit to receive this type as well as being the first to receive the Avro Blue Steel Mk. 1 stand-off missile which was the standard weapon of the Vulcan B.2. The Vulcan B.2 was initially powered by 17,000 lbst. Olympus 201 turbojets but was progressively engined with the Olympus 301. Work on the project heavy aircraft - carrying nuclear weapons on the Avro company started in 1947 under the leadership of R.Chedika. UK Ministry of Aviation has set a number of rather strict requirements for the future car. It was necessary to provide greater capacity, higher altitude and range, high subsonic speed. At the same time the plane was supposed to have a mass of not more than 45360 kg and depart from existing airfields Empire. The design team of the company has come to the conclusion that the plane normal circuit can not fit in the allotted weight ratios. In this regard, after careful consideration of various schemes has been selected aircraft scheme with a delta wing. This wing has a large internal capacity to accommodate the engine, chassis, fuel tanks and allows to minimize air resistance, provides the necessary rigidity and good takeoff and landing characteristics. Development bomber project was completed by the end of 1947. Prior to this, no aircraft with a delta wing was not raised in the air. In order to obtain the necessary experimental data, in addition to wind tunnel, building and flying models developed flying machines was organized in one-third of the value. The final size of the main bomber "Type 698" decided in April 1950, while the construction of the first prototype was launched. This aircraft was first propulsion system consisting of four turbojet engines Rolls Royce "Avon» RA 3 to the draft 2950 kgs each. The first flight he made August 30, 1952. Older engines were replaced by more powerful firms Armstrong-Siddeley "Sapphire» AS Sa.6 with a thrust of 3640 kg each. Soon he was given the name Vulcan 698. In 1952, without waiting for test results, the Ministry of Aviation has ordered 25 bombers of this type. A year later, on 3 September 1953, it conducted its first flight test of the second prototype. He had a form of air inlets and install TRD Bristol "Olympus" with a thrust of 4,300 kg each. In the summer of 1954 the aircraft in a flight during landing crashed. During repair, it is partially upgraded by increasing the wing structure. Just replace the engine. In February 1955 the first production was flight tested 698 Vulcan Mk1. However, its performance does not fully satisfy the customer. Therefore, the firm Design team continued to improve the car. the leading edge of the wing has been changed, set the automatic system resilience. Engines replaced in the first turbojet "Olympus" 102, and then on "Olympus" 104. The aircraft has a fuselage of circular cross-section, consisting of several sections. In the bow is pressurized cabin crew. In the middle part it is equipped with bomb bay about 8.5 m in length. The thick wing root has four turbojet engine. Delta wing provides a good take-off and landing performance. Very large control plane includes a booster actuator comprising several sections ailerons are located on the outer portions of the wing, and the elevators are located closer to the fuselage. The initial number of ordered "Volcanoes" has risen to 45. In the summer of 1957 the first squadron of bombers to intercede on combat duty. According to their tactical and technical characteristics of the 698 Vulcan Mk1 refers to a carrier medium-range nuclear weapons. He surpassed the Tu-16 and B-47 , but unlike them, had no defensive armament, making it vulnerable to attack by air defense fighters. The unusual shape of the British bomber, as it turned out, gave additional advantage which is not even thought of before. It turned out that the "Volcanoes" have a reduced radar signature radar for that in the future, and has been used in advanced aircraft technology. In the summer of 1957 the first squadron of bombers to intercede on combat duty. According to their tactical and technical characteristics of the 698 Vulcan Mk1 refers to a carrier medium-range nuclear weapons. He surpassed the Tu-16 and B-47 , but unlike them, had no defensive armament, making it vulnerable to attack by air defense fighters. The unusual shape of the British bomber, as it turned out, gave additional advantage which is not even thought of before. It turned out that the "Volcanoes" have a reduced radar signature radar for that in the future, and has been used in advanced aircraft technology. Almost immediately began work on a bomber modernization in the medium guided missiles. The first such aircraft, designated 698 Vulcan B Mk2, was built in July 1958. He received more elongated wing with enlarged air intakes, new engines, enhanced chassis and better equipment. It was established and the aircraft fuel system refueling in the air. Under fuselage could be hung one SD "Blue Steel". Since the end of 1960 the crews of 698 Vulcan B Mk2 started to alert duty. With the commissioning of all the British SSBN with "Volcanoes" removed tasks against strategic targets deep inside the Soviet Union, at the same time to refocus most of the crews to solve tactical problems. For this upgrade was performed. In particular, the system is installed rounding the Earth's surface, allowing to operate at ultra-low altitudes. "Blue Steel" with armament removed, leaving svobodnopadayuschie nuclear and conventional bombs. Combat effectiveness of 698 Vulcan managed to check in during the Anglo-Argentine conflict in 1982. Several bombers flown from the metropolis on Ascension Island in the Atlantic Ocean, raided Port Stanley, where their main goal became the airfield and the Argentine radar. Each bomber could take 21 bombs weighing up to 450 kg each. The flight to the target is 15 hours. During this time, I had to make several refueling tanker aircraft from "Victor". Fully carry out the task of the former strategic bombers did not succeed. Apparently it's finally convinced the leadership of the Ministry of Aviation in the decision to withdraw weapons from the Vulcan 698, which was done in late 1982. One bomber Vulcan 698 participated in the shooting of a film based on the book series about the adventures of Fleming's superspy James Bond 007. Attackers hijacked plane Royal Air Force, which was to make a training flight with nuclear weapons on board. By the time of the shooting aircraft it has ceased to be a secret weapon and command it possible to capture war machine at the air base.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Primary Function: | medium bomber |
| Contractor: | Avro |
| Power Plant: |
B.1 - Four 13,000 Ib.s.t. Bristol Siddeley Olympus 104 turbojets B.2 - Four 20,000 Ib.s.t. Bristol Siddeley Olympus 301 turbojets |
| Length: |
B.1 - 99 ft. 11 in. B.2 - 99 ft. 11 in. |
| Height: |
B.1 - 26 ft. 1 in. B.2 - 27 ft. 2 in. |
| Wingspan: |
B.1 - 99 ft. B.2 - 111 ft. |
| Speed - Maximum: |
B.1 - 625 m.p.h. at 40,000ft. (Mach 0.95) B.2 - 620-635 m.p.h. at 40,000 ft. (Mach 0.94-0.96) |
| Speed - Cruise: |
B.1 - 500 m.p.h. (Mach 0.75) B.2 - 580-600 m.p.h. |
| Ceiling: |
B.1 - 50,000+ ft. B.2 - 60,000+ ft. |
| Weight normal loaded: |
B.1 - 160,000 lb. B.2 - 200,000 lb |
| Maximum Takeoff Weight: |
B.1 - 180,000-200,000 lb. B.2 - |
| Range: |
B.1 - 2,500-3,000 miles B.2 - |
| Armament: | |
| Crew: | |
| Unit Cost: | |
| Date Deployed: | |
| Inventory: | |
| Type | B1 | B2 |
|---|---|---|
| Number Built | 45 | 89 |
| Dimensions, weights and performances | ||
| Wing Span | 99ft 0in | 111ft 0in |
| Length | 97ft 1in | 99ft 11in |
| Height | 26ft 6in | 27ft 2in |
| Wing Area | 3,554 sq ft | |
| All-up Weight | 170,000 lb | |
| Maximum Speed | 625 mph | 645 mph |
| Cruising Speed | 607 mph | 620 mph |
| Service Ceiling | 55,000 ft | |
| Range | 3,000 miles | |
| Engines | 4 x Olympus 101,102 or 104 | 4 x Olympus 200 series or 301 |
| Squadrons | ||
| 44 (1960-67) | 9 (1962-82) | |
| 50 (1961-65) | 12 (1962-67) | |
| 83 (1957-60) | 27 (1961-72)*** | |
| 101 (1957-67) | 35 (1962-82) | |
| 617 (1958-61) | 44 (1967-82) | |
| 230 OCU (56-65) | 50 (1965-84) | |
| 83 (1960-69) | ||
| 101 (1967-82) | ||
| 617 (1961-81) | ||
| 230 OCU (60-81) | ||
| Airfields | ||
| Akrotiri (Cyprus) | 9 (1969-75) | |
| 35 (1969-75) | ||
| Coningsby (Lincolnshire) | 9 (1962-64) | |
| 12 (1962-64) | ||
| 35 (1962-64) | ||
| Cottesmore (Rutland) | 9 (1964-69) | |
| 12 (1964-67) | ||
| 35 (1964-69) | ||
| Finningley (Yorkshire) | 101 (1957-61) | |
| 230 OCU (61-65) | 230 OCU (61-69) | |
| BCDU (1960-68) | BCDU (1960-68) | |
| Scampton (Lincolnshire) | 27 (1961-72) | |
| 27 (1973-82) | ||
| 35 (1975-82) | ||
| 83 (1960-69) | ||
| 617 (1958-61) | 617 (1961-81) | |
| 230 OCU (69-81) | ||
| Waddington (Lincolnshire) | 83 (1957-60) | 9 (1975-82) |
| 44 (1960-67) | 44 (1967-82) | |
| 50 (1961-65) | 50 (1965-84) | |
| 101 (1961-67) | 101 (1967-82) | |
| 230 OCU (56-61) | 230 OCU (60-61) | |
| VDF (1984-93) | ||
| Figures do not include the 2 prototypes. The B2 total includes one airframe (XM596) used as a static test-rig and never flown. A number of other test-rigs were constructed but these were not allocated serials. |
| The B1A was 99ft 11in long. If the refuelling probe was included, the B1A and B2 both measured 105ft 6in. |
| 27 Squadron reformed in 1973 to operate the B2(MRR) and disbanded again in 1982. |
Vulcan B Mk2 in 617 Squadron markings
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