Avro Bomber Saw Service For 28 Years With The RAF

The Avro Vulcan, one of the most evocative and instantly recognizable UK aircraft of the Cold War era, celebrates its Diamond Jubilee this year. First flown on August 30th, 1952, the famous Delta-Wing aircraft was designed by Roy Chadwick who also designed the Avro Lancaster.

The jet-powered bomber saw distinguished service with the UK’s Royal Air Force for 28 years culminating in the Operation Black Buck over the Falklands in 1982.

Of the 136 aircraft built at the Avro factories at Woodford and Chadderton in the UK, one flying example, XH558, continues to thrill crowds at air shows. In addition, volunteers are hoping to restore the XM603 as a static display aircraft as part of the formation of a permanent Avro Heritage Center at Woodford.

The first Vulcan was delivered to the RAF in 1956, with an updated version coming online in 1960. The updated B.2 Vulcan had more powerful engines, a larger wing, and was the first of the aircraft to include electronic counter measures for defense. The original Vulcan aircraft relied on speed and altitude to elude interception.

Designed as a nuclear bomber, it was also capable of carrying conventional munitions. It was flown in that conventional weapons capacity in the Falkland Islands conflict in 1982 between Great Britain and Argentina, and was retired just two years later in 1984.

FMI: www.vulcantothesky.org