RAF Avro
698 Vulcan B-2
The Avro Vulcan B2 was one of my favorite aircraft as a youngster, and
still today a remarkable design considering the time at which it was built. I believe the
Vulcan is retired from service now, but played an active military role as recently as the
Falkland dispute.
The Avro 698 Vulcan first flew on August 30th 1952and was first fitted with four
Rolls-Royce Avon turbojets. The Avon's were replaced with Bristol Siddeley Sapphires, and
then Rolls Royce Conways.
The second prototype was powered by four Bristol Siddeley Olympus 100s. The fuselage was
slightly elongated to facilitate the installation of a longer nose wheel assembly. This
version made it's first flight September 3, 1953.
A redesigned delta wing with a compound sweepback was fitted to this aircraft, and made
test flights October 5, 1955.
On August 31, 1957 test flights began of the larger delta wing B2 version.
The Vulcan B2 pictured below first flew on August 30, 1958 and production was completed in
1964.
The Vulcan B2 used four Olympus Mk 201 or 301 engines. It had the ability to carry the
"Blue Steel" stand-off nuclear bomb. The B2 served in an overland strike role
and had in flight refueling capabilities. Later set up to carry free fall nuclear weapons
or twenty-one one thousand pound high explosive bombs. There was an SR2 conversion for
strategic reconnaissance.
Specifications;
Engines; four 20,000 lb. st (88.97 kN) Rolls-Royce Bristol Olympus Mk 301 turbojets.
Wing Span; 111 ft. (33.83 m.)
Length; 99 ft 11 in. (30.45 m.)
Maximum t/o weight; 180,000 lbs. (81,645 kg.)
Max cruising speed; 625 mph. (1,005 km/h.)
Combat Radius; 2,875 miles (4,630 km.) with in-flight refueling
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This very old pair of photos with the
Vulcan B2 in formation with two CL-41 Tutors |
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A nice ramp shot, slightly more recent on
the time line. |
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Vulcan XL425 has a full camouflage, paint
scheme. |
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XL425 makes a pass with bomb bay doors open
and then closed. A nice view of the ground camouflage. |
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XM 575 Makes a pass with bomb bay doors
open |
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Ramp view of XM 575 note the lighter
camouflage scheme. |
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The Mk 301's rumble as the Vulcan banks
away. |
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You
will find these Vulcan photos and much more about the fabulous Vulcan at the above link.
