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Post by avro748 on Aug 29, 2012 18:49:11 GMT 1
To mark the 60th anniversary of the first flight of the Vulcan at Woodford on the 30th of August 1952. I have put together a small selection of photos, depicting Vulcans in the markings of the last units to operate the type. Scampton Wing27 Squadron - B2(MRR) XH563  35 Squadron - B2 XH559  617 Squadron - B2 XL317  230 Operational Conversion Unit - B2 XL321  Waddington Wing9 Squadron - B2 XM651  44 Squadron - B2 XM573  50 Squadron - B2(K) XH560  101 Squadron - B2 XM605  After the operational life of the Vulcan was complete the RAF operated Vulcan B2 XL426 and latterly XH558 from Marham as the Vulcan Display Flight.  Finally, Now in civilian hands the last airworthy Vulcan, XH558 (G-VLCN) operated by Vulcan to the Sky Trust.  Please feel free to add your own Vulcan photos. Cheers Shaun |
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Post by ian531 on Aug 29, 2012 20:11:53 GMT 1
Nice set of shots Shaun, where is the last shot taken?
Ian
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Post by john1958 on Aug 29, 2012 21:20:02 GMT 1
The Vulcan, a thing of beauty....whatever angle you look at her!!!!!!!
John
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Post by mictheslik on Aug 29, 2012 21:56:38 GMT 1
Nice set of shots Shaun, where is the last shot taken? Ian Looks like Windermere airshow. A magnificent display! Such a beautiful aircraft. I have much appreciation of TVOC and VTS for getting her back in the air so my generation can experience her. .mic |
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Post by viscount on Aug 30, 2012 13:21:11 GMT 1
A couple of Vulcan b&ws to add to 'Avro 748s' posting of Vulcans in colour. 1. Well known today as the VTS Vulcan, here XH558 is in the early V-force 'anti-flash' white scheme. A Ken Ellis photo. Is this possibly at Woodford? Certainly a pity it is undated.  2. Same aircraft, XH558, now in topside camouflage. A detailed write-up on the reverse of the print, but no photographer's name! Seen 23.7.79 at 1800 hours at Scampton on a far-side dispersal in 27 Sqdn marks. Refered to as a Vulcan SR.2 (was this ever an official designation?) attention is drawn to the pods under the wings containing strike cameras. Note too the open bomb bay doors. Whole photo though is spoilt by the distraction of a large announcements board infront of the aircraft.  3. Vulcan B.2a XL359 in the markings of 230 OCU seen commencing a go-around at RAF Valley 11.4.79. Photo is marked HE, I assume therefore the work of Hewel Evans.  4. Vulcan B.2 XL446 of 35 Sqdn performing at an air display. This is a copyright MAS Postcard!  5. All white Vulcan B.2 XM570 in 27 Sqdn marks at the Paris Air Salon, Le Bourget 6.63. Information on the back is in Martin Chell's handwriting, but too early (I suspect) to be his photo.  6. Vulcan XM608 in 50 Sqdn markings. Presumably at Mildenhall - note the B-17, 2 C-130s and a C-131/T-29 in the background.  7. Vulcan B.2 XM609 in the markings of the Waddington Wing, here seen in this M.S. Leyland photo at Mildenhall 14.10.72 armed Forces Day.  8. Finally from the MAS Collection, XM64-, in the markings of 101 Sqdn.  9. Two added a few days later, XJ825 with 50 Sqdn markings displaying the refueling hose and drogue modification made to enable the Falklands 'Black Buck' raids. No photographer, but noted on the reverse to be 'Fairford 1983'  10. Another print with no clues as to date, place or photographer on the reverse. Note the 'stand-off' weapon slung underneath - I assume 'Blue Steel', however I associate this nuclear weapon with the Vulcan while still in the all white 'anti-flash' scheme.  |
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Post by avro748 on Aug 30, 2012 17:35:27 GMT 1
Ian the photo of '558 is indeed at Windermere Air Show in 2009 as Mic said.
Brian, an interesting set of photos spanning a good few years. I think your correct in saying that shot of '558 is at Woodford, it looks like its parked at the north end of the disused runway outside the main factory (Woodford New Assembly as it was called). The pods on the B2(MRR) were air sampling pods, the equipment and task was inherited from 543 Squadron Victor SR2's (maybe thats where that designation came from?) the same equipment and task was passed to 101 Squadron and it VC10,s where it is fitted in modified wing FR pods. The B2A designation is i think a red herring variously applied to 'Blue Steel' modified aircraft or those fitted with Olympus 301 ECU's depending on which book/article you read. I think your final shot of the 101 Squadron aircraft is probably XM648, the only 'XM64-' to wear wrap around camo.
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Post by avro748 on Aug 30, 2012 21:22:22 GMT 1
Some more Vulcan B2 photos .... XH560 - B2(MRR)  XJ823 - Preserved at Carlisle.  XJ824 - Preserved at Duxford.  XL392  XL427 - Note the gloss camo.  XM594 - FR probe removed for use on the Nimrod fleet during the Falklands. Now preserved at Newark.  XM612 - Preserved at Norwich.  XM647  XM648  XM652  Four ship scramble at Waddington.  Three ship at Scampton.  G-VLCN Windermere 2009.  Cheers Shaun |
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Post by avro748 on Sept 2, 2012 22:50:34 GMT 1
Hello Brian
Just spotted that last photo you added yesterday. It is a Blue Steel it is carrying. There were not many Blue Steel modified aircraft fitted with Olympus 301's (you can tell from the larger diameter jet pipes) so it may be possible to narrow down the identity for the jet in your photo. The photo appears to have been printed the wrong way around. The fairing you can see on the rear fuselage ECM bulge should be on the starboard side.
Cheers
Shaun
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Post by avro748 on Sept 3, 2012 0:07:38 GMT 1
Hello again Brian.
Now you think I would have something better do on a Sunday night, instead of climbing in the loft looking for my old Vulcan records! Anyway I haven't.
I reckon I can narrow the Vulcan in the picture mentioned in my previous post down to six aircraft. XL384, XL386, XL387, XL388, XL389 or XL390 (XL385 is excluded as it was never fitted with TFR). So, from the evidence in the photo these jets were the only ones that:
1) Had Blue Steel mods.
2) Olympus 301's
3) ECM plates between both engine pairs.
4) No sign of any of the underwing blister fairings associated with the Skybolt mods.
Hope this is of interest.
Cheers
Shaun
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Post by jetjockey on Sept 3, 2012 15:09:43 GMT 1
Another preserved Vulcan B2 XL360 at the Midlands Air Museum Coventry  Sorry about the tables and chairs it was difficult to get a good shot. With regards to XL 317 I believe this was the longest houred Vulcan of them all. JJ |
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Post by jetjockey on Sept 3, 2012 20:32:25 GMT 1
XH558 over LPJL July 23rd 2011 on route to the Southport Airshow  JJ |
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Post by avro748 on Sept 12, 2012 12:53:37 GMT 1
An assortment of B&W Vulcan B2 shots from the late seventies/early eighties. XH560  XL317  XL318  XL361  XL427  XL443  XL445  XL446  XM571  XM602  XM612  XM646  XM654  XM657  Cheers Shaun |
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