Record

Aeroplane (2 of 3), Vulcan bomber

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Postcard of Aeroplane (2 of 3), Vulcan bomber.
000-190-002-265-C
© National Museums Scotland

Aeroplane (2 of 3), Vulcan bomber

This aircraft, a Vulcan, was built by Hawker Siddeley, entering service in 1963. Along with the Victor and the Valiant, it was one of the three 'V' bombers that constituted Britain's nuclear deterrent in the 1960s. It took part in two missions during the Falklands Conflict of 1982, in which it dropped anti-radar missiles. Whilst undergoing in-flight refuelling for the journey back to Acension Island, the probe fractured, forcing the aircraft to divert to the nearest safe airfield - Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. The Vulcan is pictured here just after take-off at the Museum of Flight at East Fortune in East Lothian.

The delta-winged heavy bomber has provision for flight refuelling, including a nose probe. It is powered by four Olympus turbojet engines buried in the wing. It has a camouflage finish with RAF red and blue markings and serial number 'XM597' on the fin.

The Avro Vulvan (later Hawker Siddeley) first flew in 1952. It was the first tailless delta winged bomber to fly. The type was one of three large four-engined bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons. These aircraft were known as the 'V' force. Their nuclear capacity was never used and only time they were used in action was in the Falklands War, when XM597 was one of five Vulcans selected for use in operation 'Black Buck'. Vulcans were retired from RAF service in 1984.


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Online ID: 000-190-002-265-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1984.47
Date: 1963
Material: Inscription: XM597
Dimensions: 33830 mm span x 30450 mm x 8280 mm
What: Aeroplane / bomber
Subject: 1. AERONAUTICS, Aeroplanes (Departmental Classification)
Who: Hawker Siddeley (Maker)
R.A.F. (Owner)
Vulcan
Where:
Event: Falklands Conflict
Description: Delta-winged heavy Vulcan bomber, built by Hawker Siddeley and powered by four Olympus turbojet engines, which entered service in 1963 and took part in two missions during the Falklands Conflict, 1982
References:
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