Aircraft Profiles: Avro Vulcan
The Avro Vulcan is a delta wing subsonic bomber that was operated by the Royal Air Force from 1953 until 1984. The Vulcan was part of the RAF's V bomber force, which fulfilled the role of nuclear deterrence against the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
It was also used in a conventional bombing role during the Falklands conflict with Argentina. One example, XH558 was recently restored for use in display flights and commemoration of the jets' role in the Falklands Conflict.
History
The first production AVRO Vulcan was delivered for preliminary acceptance trials in March 1956 and the aircraft began service with the R.A.F. in August of that year.
The largest delta-winged aircraft in service in the world, it was capable of very high subsonic speed and climb to heights in the region of 50,000ft. Its very large bomb-bay accommodated either conventional or nuclear bombs, both of which could be delivered with the aid of a radar-controlled blind-bombing system.
More From Flightglobal:
- Images of the Avro Vulcan
- Cutaway of the Avro Vulcan
- VIDEO and PICTURES: First picture of the Avro Vulcan XH558 return to flight
- FARNBOROUGH 2008: VIDEO & PICTURES - Vulcan roars into action
From the Flightglobal archives:
