Avro Vulcan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Avro Vulcan
A Vulcan B.2 of the RAF, 1985
Role	Strategic bomber
National origin	United Kingdom
Manufacturer	Avro Hawker Siddeley Aviation
First flight	30 August 1952
Introduction	September 1956
Retired	March 1984 (Royal Air Force) October 2015 (XH558)
Status	Retired
Primary user	Royal Air Force
Produced	1956–1965
Number built	136 (including prototypes)
Unit cost	£750,000 (1956)
Variants	Avro Atlantic

The Avro Vulcan (also known as Avro 698 Vulcan) was a famous British delta wing bomber aircraft. It was a key part of the Royal Air Force's (RAF) "V bombers" fleet. These planes were used as a nuclear deterrent during the Cold War, meaning they helped prevent war by showing Britain had powerful weapons. The Vulcan was also used for long-distance bombing during the Falklands War.

How the Vulcan Was Made

In 1947, the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence decided they needed a new, powerful bomber. They wanted an aircraft that could fly very far and very high. It also needed to carry a lot of bombs.

The first test version of the Vulcan flew in 1948. Even though one test plane crashed in 1949, work continued. More than 100 Vulcans were built between 1956 and 1965.

How the Vulcan Was Used

The Vulcan usually had a crew of five people. This included two pilots, two navigators, and one electronics officer.

Nuclear Deterrent Role

The main job of the Vulcan was to be part of the United Kingdom's nuclear deterrent. This meant it was ready to carry Britain's first nuclear weapon, called Blue Danube. Its purpose was to show other countries that Britain could defend itself.

Other Missions and Retirement

Sometimes, the Vulcan was also used for reconnaissance, which means flying over areas to gather information. The Royal Air Force stopped using the Vulcan in 1984. However, one special Vulcan, XH558, continued to fly for airshows until 2015.

Images for kids

• 

  Vulcans in anti-flash white in 1957

• 

  Silhouettes of an early Avro 698 concept and the cancelled Avro 710

• 

  The prototype Vulcans (VX777 front, VX770 rear) with four Avro 707s at the Farnborough Air Show in September 1953: The large delta wings of the Vulcan quickly gave it the affectionate nickname of "Tin Triangle".

• 

  Comparison of Vulcan wing designs

• 

  Avro Vulcan B.2 XH533, the first B.2 Vulcan, flying at Farnborough in 1958

• 

  Silhouette of the original study for the Vulcan B.3 patrol missile carrier

• 

  Avro Vulcan XH558 at Duxford Airshow 2012

• 

  Bomb bay

• 

  Aerial view of a Vulcan B.2 in late RAF markings on static display at RAF Mildenhall, 1984

• 

  Avro Vulcan rear crew positions

• 

  Vulcan B.1 XA890 in early silver scheme landing at Farnborough in September 1955 after Roly Falk's "aerobatic" display: Note the lower outer starboard airbrake, which was later deleted.

• 

  Gas-flow diagram of an Olympus Mk 101 engine

• 

  A Vulcan B1A of the Waddington Wing at Filton during a public air display in the 1960s

• 

  Royal Air Force Vulcan B.2 being prepared for flight on 25 May 1985

• 

  XH558 taking off, 2008 Farnborough Airshow

• 

  Vulcan XM597 at the National Museum of Flight, Scotland; note the Operation Black Buck markings and the small Brazilian flag indicating the aircraft's internment in Brazil.

• 

  Engineers and flight crew with the Vulcan prior to deployment to Ascension Island

• 

  A Vulcan flying over Ascension Island on 18 May 1982

• 

  Vulcan B.2 in formation with the Red Arrows, 2015

• 

  The Vulcan to the Sky Trust's Avro Vulcan XH558

• 

  Avro Vulcans of No 617 Squadron at RAF Cottesmore circa 1975

• 

  The prototype Vulcan VX770 in 1954, retaining the original "pure delta" wing shape

See also

In Spanish: Avro 698 Vulcan para niños