The Avro Vulcan bomber is one of the most iconic aircraft in military history. The aircraft, with its delta wing and sleek manuveruers, was an enduring favorite of air show attendees and aviation enthusiasts for many years. Initially commissioned by the Royal Air Force (RAF) in the United Kingdom, this aircraft was only used in one conflict before its retirement from the force in 1984.

The Avro Vulcan was one of three bombers commissioned by the United Kingdom to carry nuclear weapons during the Cold War, along with the Vickers Valiant and the Handley Page Victor. It was noted for its large delta wing when it entered service in 1956, powered by four Olympus engines. Including the two prototypes, a total of 134 Vulcans were produced. Of those, 45 were of the initial B1 design, and 89 were the updated B2 models.

Wing Commander Roly Falk famously flew the aircraft at the 1955 Farnborough Air Show. According to the RAF Museum, he was rebuked by the airshow’s organizers after doing a barrel roll for the audience due to the fact acrobatic maneuvers were “not the done thing” for large bombers.

In its primary role, the plane was used in the country’s nuclear deterrent program with models on standby with just 15 minutes’ notice to scramble should they be needed. The updated B2 design could carry the Blue Steel nuclear standoff missile. It featured more powerful engines (which contributed to the engines on the Concorde), a modified wing, electronic jamming equipment, and inflight refueling ability.

Beginning of the end

Service ceiling: 56,000 ft (17,000 m)

Powerplant: 4 × Bristol Olympus Mk.101 / Mk.102 / Mk.104 twin-spool turbojet engines, 11,000 lbf (49 kN) thrust each

Maximum speed: Mach 0.96 (561 knots, 646 mph, 1,039 km/h)

Cruise speed: 493 kn (567 mph, 913 km/h) / M0.86 at 45,000 feet (14,000 m)

Range: 2,265 NM (2,607 miles, 4,195 km)

The initially envisioned role of a high-altitude long-range bomber was questioned over the next decade. In 1960, a U-2 spy plane operating for the United States was shot down over the Soviet Union, causing a diplomatic incident and highlighting the technological advances of Soviet air defense systems.

Over the course of the decade, the RAF reevaluated the role of the Vulcans in light of these developments and, by 1966, changed Vulcan’s mission from high-level sorties to low-level penetration. As a bomber, the Vulcans lacked onboard defensive weaponry, but they were repainted in camouflage to help avoid detection.

Photo: Christopher Chambers I Shutterstock

By the end of 1970, the UK decided to withdraw the type from its role as an active nuclear deterrent as it focused on the Polaris bal

A Vulcan renaissance

Following the transition of nuclear deterrence to the Royal Navy, the Vulcan’s rule morphed into that of a conventional bomber supporting the NATO ground forces in Europe, which it fulfilled for the next decade. The type was due to be retired for the first time when they were suddenly called up for their one and only wartime outing​​​​. ​

The Vulcans were pressed into service during the Falkland Conflict in 1982. Realizing the planes were the only bombers capable of reaching the islands, they were deployed to the next closest RAF Base, Ascension Island. The base is located near Saint Helena, one of the most remote places in the world.

From there, the Vulcans undertook what became the longest bombing missions to date. The seven missions flew over 6,500km (3,500 NM) in each direction and had to be refueled in flight multiple times over the 16 hours it took to complete the mission. One aircraft was even forced to declare mayday, jettison its bombs and secret documents, and divert to Brazil after its refueling probe broke.

Taking on the Tanker role

Following the conflict, most Vulcans were retired as the aircraft became increasingly obsolete. New multirole aircraft came into service that could conduct the same missions more efficiently, and resources were directed elsewhere. Six examples of the type were given an extra lease of life as tankers. The aircraft were retrofitted with three auxiliary fuel tanks in the bomb bay and continued to fly missions with No.50 Squadron between June 21st, 1982, and March 31st, 1984.

One particular Vulcan remained after the rest of the type was retired. The first Vulcan B.2 to enter RAF service (XH558) was selected to perform at airshows nationwide as part of the RAF’s Vulcan Display Flight the following year. It toured until 1993, when the Ministry of Defense decided to discontinue the program as a result of budget cuts, citing the mounting costs of maintaining a single aircraft type simply for display purposes.

Return to the skies

The aircraft was purchased the following year by private individuals and returned to airworthy condition over the next decade. Renamed the “Spirit of Great Britain,” it received a Permit to Fly as a Complex category ex-military aircraft from the Civil Aviation Authority. It took to the skies again in 2007.

It flew for eight years before the aircraft’s original equipment manufacturers withdrew support of the type at the end of the 2015 flying season. Following its final flight on Wednesday, October 28th, 2015, the aircraft was put on display at Doncaster Sheffield Airport. The future of the last airworthy Vulcan is now in question, as the airport recently ceased operations. With the aircraft no longer airworthy, moving it would require disassembly and transport to a new location.

In addition to XH558, there are two other models still in operable condition. While the flight licenses have long since been revoked, they are still used for regular taxi runs. Simple Flying had the opportunity to visit one of the few remaining Vulcans earlier this year. Run by the Vulcan Restoration Trust, XL426 is now stationed at London Southend Airport. The charity maintains the plane and offers visitors a chance to explore its history and see it speed down the runway on special occasions.

Photo: Jonathan E. Hendry | Simple Flying

The third running aircraft, XM655, is the youngest surviving example and the third-to-last Vulcan ever produced. It is currently preserved at the Wellesbourne Mountford Airfield, near Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire.