The Avro Vulcan: Beauty, Power, and a Touch of Menace

In the annals of aviation history, few aircraft possess the sheer charisma and mystique of the Avro Vulcan. Its iconic delta wing, thundering engines, and pivotal role in the Cold War era make it a legend that continues to captivate aviation enthusiasts and historians alike. In this comprehensive exploration, we delve deep into the Avro Vulcan's origins, design, operational history, and enduring legacy as the centerpiece of Britain's V-Bomber force.
The Vulcan's story begins in the aftermath of World War II, as the specter of the Cold War loomed large. The Royal Air Force sought a new generation of strategic bombers capable of delivering nuclear payloads to the heart of the Soviet Union. A.V. Roe, or Avro, responded with a groundbreaking design that would revolutionize bomber aviation: the delta wing.
The Vulcan's delta wing, a sleek triangular shape, was a technological marvel. Its aerodynamic efficiency allowed for high-speed flight and exceptional range, essential attributes for a nuclear deterrent. The wing's large internal volume also provided ample space for fuel and bomb bays, making the Vulcan a formidable weapons platform.
The Vulcan's four powerful Rolls-Royce Olympus turbojet engines propelled it to speeds exceeding 600 miles per hour, enabling it to penetrate enemy airspace and deliver its devastating payload. Its impressive range of over 4,000 miles meant that the Vulcan could reach targets deep within the Soviet Union and return safely to base.
The Avro Vulcan, with its delta wing, powerful engines, and crucial role in the Cold War, stands as a testament to British engineering ingenuity and aviation prowess. Its operational history, from Cold War patrols to combat missions in the Falklands, underscores its versatility and enduring legacy. As we reflect on the Vulcan's remarkable journey, we are reminded of its pivotal role in shaping the course of history and its enduring impact on the world of aviation. The Vulcan's roar may be silent now, but its legend lives on, inspiring generations to come.
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
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[@BradSmits]

One of my best friends was a Vulcan pilot. Absolute legend of a bloke. RIP John.

[@Dronescapes]

Bless him, thanks for sharing

[@davemarsden2060]

I saw the Vulcan at Woodford airshow in the 80s as a boy. A low flyover with the bomb bay doors open is etched in my memory and my ears. To this day it's probably the loudest sound I've experienced. Was lucky to see the airplane once again by chance over Windermere on its farewell tour. Its incredible silhouette slid out to full delta from thin profile as it rolled and turned across the top end of the lake.

[@frankanderson5012]

‘An air show isn’t an air show without a Vulcan’. He’s so right. It’s a very unique and a perfect display aircraft. I was lucky to see one and hearing that creepy howl and the vibrations as it flew overhead, there’s nothing else like it.

[@frasermcburney270]

I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO SEE THE VULCAN FLY IN CANADA SHE WAS AT THE AIR SHOW IN BRITISH COLUMBIA . WHAT A AMAZING AIR CRAFT SHE WAS.

[@brianmoncion6723]

I was there too!

[@luckyguy600]

Toronto for me 3 times my Dad took me down to the ' old original terminal' and we could watch the take-offs and landings from the roof! Both the white aircraft and the camo ones. I really thought they were cool aircraft. I ended up working a an aircraft mechanic at YYZ for over 33 years. Good times.

[@mrharms9265]

The aircraft is beautiful.....your keyboard fluency is not 😂

[@EamonnSeoigh]

I saw that, too. The first time I laid eyes on them was in England, RAF Bris Norton. There was 4 of them parked on the apron, right next to 8 Victors. Landing at that field and seeing them like that, aircraft, that by themselves are so unusual, it was if I’d landed on another planet. The Vulcan visit to Abbotsford was like a rock concert…..some beautiful music.

[@timbirch4999]

I was inside the house one day, just south of Oxford (UK), when there was an odd jet engine noise outside, which had come and gone and returned again a couple of times. Walked out of the house to see a Vulcan at what looked like about 500ft pulling big loops around something a couple of miles away. I guess it was one of the local airshows. The plane moved like silk, it was so graceful. The pilot was flying a kind of triangle, where the plane came in slowly from my left, banked fairly sharply directly over our street, and then just as it was facing directly away from me the pilot dropped the hammer on the throttle and it just boomed off out of sight in a couple of seconds. Got to see 4 or 5 loops like that. 💙

[@DaiElsan]

I saw a last service Vulcan do a flyby and vertical acceleration up and away from Greenham Common around 1992. So to see XH566 fly after restoration was an honour, I went to three airshows just to see her.

[@TheScottytr6]

There is an elderly lady that is a regular at my local pub here in Toronto. Her name is Gervaise. She worked for BEA and the later British Airways. She was able to fly free anywhere the airline went as long as she returned the same day. Returning from France one day she was told the flight was fully booked. The clerk at the British desk pointed out some RAF guys and suggested that she ask them for a ride. Sure enough they could help. She got a ride back to England in a Vulcan!

[@schmoosmith]

That literally did not happen.

[@TheScottytr6]

@@schmoosmith Yes it did. And when her XKE was stolen she used the insurance money to buy a 427 Corvette. She's in her mid 80s and still going strong!

[@schmoosmith]

Mate there’s no way a civilian would be hitching a ride on military jet.

[@TheScottytr6]

@@schmoosmith It was the early 1960s Máte. Things were different back then. I was there. A time when sex was safe and motorcycles were dangerous. Second hand pharmaceuticals were all over the place, even in the military. Today's yoots can't imagine such a different world.

[@schmoosmith]

@@TheScottytr6Mate your banter is top tier.

[@johnmorris7815]

I used to fly with an old Vulcan driver, he would describe the feeling of going off on what became a training flight with a “bucket of sunshine” in the bomb bay.

[@robtheplod]

The Vulcan at air shows was always the star... the menacing sight and that awesome howl!!!

[@Tamburello_1994]

I saw THREE active-duty Vulcans perform here in the states, back in the day. I witnessed XL-390's last flight in August '78; then came XL443 in 1980. XM-575 was the last RAF bomber to come to Chicago in 1981(via NAS Glenview) and here I was lucky enough to score an inside outside tour by the ground crew, as well as the accompanying Nimrod that was with.

[@davidmcintyre8145]

Hearing these aircraft howling over your head at less than 100 feet not just one but 3 or 4 of them as we did in the West Highlands of Scotland is something I will never forget

[@IndaloMan]

Back in 77 I worked at a heliport east of Leeds which was located just to the side of an RAF low fly zone. Everyday a Vulcan would fly by at 500ft just after 11am. We did helicopter pleasure flights at Church Fenton Airshow between the flying displays. Had the best seats at the show just at the side of the runway! #goodolddays

[@leoa4c]

A video on the Vulcan. Excellent! Many thanks for sharing it.

[@TYCL]

What a plane......what a sound

[@EDee20NINE]

Love that brevity speak at the start. Just sounds soo calm and dangerous when checking everything. Brrrrrrr!😳

[@jimonderwater3911]

Saw the Vulcan at the Abbotsford International Airshow a number of times. Always a crowd favourite and the sound was awesome.

[@paulybassman7311]

40:25 Nevermind the Vulcan. I had that Garage, multi-storey, ding ding, elevator thing 😂😂😂

[@shaunmcclory8117]

My dads cousin was a vulcan pilot at RAF Gaydon through the cold war and long after it was 'over' we found out they had specific targets already planned and his was a naval base in i think Poland, glad he retired without going there!

[@fredc2011]

I saw one Blackpool air show I was 2 made me cry I also sat in ones Cockpit

[@FrancesTillotson]

I was lucky enough to be married to a pilot of one of these beautiful planes,a dream,helped being deaf on one side. I could get to sleep with ease. Much more difficult for my friends o n the crew. Scampton was a home we will never forget.❤😂

[@indigohammer5732]

About six years ago, a few friends and I visited Scotland's National Museum of Flight at East Fortune. On static display they have XM597. A Vulcan B2 which participated in "Operation Black Buck (5)". One notable thing about the aircraft, is that the crew painted a small Brazilian flag and two little silhouettes of missiles. This is to mark the deployment of "Shrike" Anti-Radar Missiles, and the aircraft and crew's unplanned detour to Rio. You can't help being awed by the terrifying beauty of the machine and the dedication and sacrifice of the crew and all support staff. East Fortune is well worth the visit btw.

[@dominicseanmccann6300]

Had them fly over me twice. Once at a fly by with two Lightenings ( Mountbattens funeral, I think) in West London & the last flight before retirement came in over my street in Selby; a shadow, then an outrageous howl. Fabulous aircraft.

[@terrystapley4522]

I am proud to have served as ground crew on the Vulcan B2 at Coningsby in the '60s . We had 9, 12 & 35 Squadrons.

[@Dallas-wg9th]

It wasn't the low level sorties of the Valiant that caused the wing spars too crack though it did exacerbate the problem, it was the unstable aluminium alloy, DTD683 used to make the spars, as even the Valiant's that flew calmer high altitude refuelling suffered from spar cracks. There was a spare brand new wing spar in the Vickers factory that had never been fitted and it even exhibited fractures when inspected. I think Vickers even had problems with the Viscount spars as this alloy was also used in their production.

[@rustymotor]

The sound of that Vulcan taking off almost sounded like a tormented demon escaping from Hell, what an unnerving sound if the actual day to launch a N strike was called and all those Vulcans were taking off together.

[@goodwood-rc4nx]

Remember the crazy weekend when the Vulcan and Concorde flew over the Biggin Hill air show made my chest cavitate as flew only 100 metres above the crowd and with those huge Olympus engines same ones used in the Corcorde

[@AlanWitton]

Great aircraft made back in the day when Britain actually had an aircraft industry

[@chris5634C3PO]

What an aircraft! I miss it at air shows , along with the Lightening.

[@lukehorning3404]

Such a beautiful aircraft

[@brucegibbins3792]

A stunningly beautiful aircraft belying its destructive purpose.

[@melaniewilliams3468]

As a child I used to lie on my back in a field of long grass and watch Vulcans flying over. Very distinctive shape and sound. This was the English Midlands in the 1970s.

[@davidjones3024]

The first Black Buck raid was successfully completed by Martin Withers and crew. John Reeve and crew were lead aircraft but had to turn back unserviceable. I knew John in the Service and a nicer guy you could not meet.

[@amyjojinkerson-b6o]

I get a kick on how reporters talked back than

[@luckyguy600]

Excellent video.

[@ianmarshall2783]

I was of the lucky few who watched xh558 come in to land after her farewell tour. What a stunning air craft. And what a crying shame that our scum bag government would not give her permit to fly any more. She was the last flying Vulcan, and would sell out every air show she went to. The Vulcan was proof that Britain was great at one time. And we could produce a plane like this. That day she came in to land for the last time at Doncaster back in her original hanger was a very emotional thing. Seeing grow men cry as she taxied in. What a waste. Now she sits outside, rusting away. How can this be allowed??.

[@brianmoncion6723]

It's the same with the Avro Arrow. Why just scrap them..shame

[@Orbital_Inclination]

CAA rules and permit to fly certification criteria are stringent for a reason. It has nothing to do with politics, and everything to do with airworthiness/air safety.

[@sheilah4525]

Impossible to escape from if you are not the pilots, and long retired while THE AMAZING BOEING B-52 SOLDIERS ON ON ON AND ON…. AND KEEPS GOING AND GOING AND…… continues to run like a Timex watch.

[@Mark-ch8pi]

What a gorgeous air frame . 😳😳

[@Brett-fn6ks]

I saw a Vulcan at Goose Bay, Labrador, back in 1985.

[@williammoore841]

I had a stop over in Goose Bay Labrador in 84 on way back from England

[@johndigioia]

Beautiful plane

[@ExploreTechniques95]

good video

[@unglaubichuberlieber8048]

along with b52, PROVIDE FANTASTIC CRASH SHOWS !!!

[@shaunmcclory8117]

Having been inside a Vulcan i'm wondering how the majority of the crew were expected to escape from the aircraft if it got hit?! I think the pilot/co pilot may have had ejector seats but not sure, the crew who sat behind and lower certainly didn't!!!?

[@smitbar11]

Pilot and co-pilot had ejector seats, the fibreglass cockpit canopy was ejected with explosive bolts. The three man rear crew had to scramble out of the lower entrance door with parachute packs on, as did Valiant & Victor rear crews. This was a major drawback and killed a few crews during accidents

[@shaunmcclory8117]

@@smitbar11 wow so there have been incidents where some crew escaped and some didn't? I imagined that may have been the case but didn't know it had happened, shit

[@Eric-kn4yn]

Saw vulcan with mirage escort orbiting adelaide sth australia 1982.

[@Sean-vs3se]

Vulcan my friend 😩.

[@TheBabygreen666]

Iconic

[@kevinballenger1211]

For An Aircraft So Large, It Was Very Nimble! 👍

[@trevortrevortsr2]

Very good at setting off dozens of car alarms

[@luckyguy600]

And don't forget the Victor that ran out of fuel at the air show in Hamilton Ontario. Landed in the grass in one piece/ no fire/ no fuel! I assume they chopped her up and freighted the carcase home to England. I didn't see it but pictures are around of the beast in the grass.

[@dylanparry5712]

I vividly recall being in my pram, on the Bailey bridge at Rhosneigr end of RAF Valley when a Vulcan came in to land very low above us and made me piss myself. 😂😂

[@wendellwilke721]

My dad said he flew in one, I never knew anything about them. He was a mosquito pilot during WW2.

[@corvanha1]

When the Brits got it right. How long ago...

[@AmericasChoice]

Immediately following WWII the British aircraft industry was second to one. I am a Yank, and I can admit our sound barrier breaking Bell X-1 was largely based on a British design. It is a shame that the industry was not supported more by the British Government, but financial pressure in Post-War Britain severely cut back on spending.

[@nikolaucznaum4312]

@@AmericasChoice All part of the plan by the USA to ensure the UK never assumed a dominant position in world affairs again....

[@teklarmeeps7338]

The Arrow was too much menace.

[@Ro_7_7]

It’s the volatol from gta 5!

[@grahamstubbs4962]

Strictly speaking, a nuclear payload is fractionally more than 'a touch of menace'. Not the sort of thing you'd want in your neighbourhood at all. 🙂

[@Jack-bs6zb]

Pity this video didn’t mention Operation Skyshield.

[@brianmoncion6723]

The mission recounted is very cool. I don't know any other mission that had a 16hr fly time. Try that in a F35 or F15...

[@Orbital_Inclination]

We have tankers, so a 16hr sortie wouldn't be that difficult

[@kenoliver8913]

Opening is wrong. McMahon Act was in 1946, not 1956. And Truman, not Eisenhower, was the President signing it.

[@JohnCunningham-sy5ug]

Fun fun fun

[@erwinvangrinsven9345]

They should start a new production line of these, just to annoy Putin

[@Orbital_Inclination]

Why would some outdated bombers annoy Putin?

[@Aniketshyam]

beauty?

[@tubthump]

47:40 the Japanese were prepared to surrender

[@Eric-kn4yn]

No japs would have defended home islands but possible russian invasion complicates speculating..

[@Eric-kn4yn]

Most useless long range bombing mission..

[@AmericasChoice]

That is not entirely true, powerful factions were determined to defend the Japanese mainland to the last man. There was no guarantee of a full surrender. Dropping those bombs saved many more lives than they extinguished.

[@amyjojinkerson-b6o]

great designs and they cancel them

[@george-ev1dq]

They were not cancelled, out of the 4 designs put forward only one design was cancelled, the Short Sperrin.

[@SMlFFY85]

Chatterton?

[@chriscaptain3141]

Think some persons don't want this airplane 😢

[@derekcoaker6579]

As in who?

[@pistolpeds]

I can't understand why with this age of high technology aircraft that the cars and trucks of the time were so basic, ugly and slow.

[@RichardMcLaren]

They weren't at the time.

[@808bigisland]

A bit of a dog.

[@papalegba6796]

Beautifully designed plane, almost completely useless.

[@derekcoaker6579]

Commented on a Video that explains how useful it actually was... I guess we just comment for the same of making ourselves heard yeah? Cool story.

[@papalegba6796]

@@derekcoaker6579 get over yourself, it did nothing. One mission in the Falklands 😂

[@keithrushforth4019]

You could say that about any nuclear weapons as the whole point of having them is that you hope not to have to use them, that is after all the meaning of the word "deterrent". As for the Vulcan specifically in it's day it was a very capable aircraft, however it was soon made obsolete for it's designed role by advances in missile technology. The only reason it stayed in service as long as it did was that, unlike the other V bombers, it had a very strong airframe and could be repurposed from high altitude attack to low level attack.

[@george-ev1dq]

The USA defence system would disagree with you.

[@papalegba6796]

@@george-ev1dq wrong 😂