V bomber - Knowledge

1618:, and the Chiefs of Staff in 1963. The Defence Research Policy Committee (DRPC) estimated that converting 27 aircraft would cost £7 million. This would provide sufficient aircraft for three tanker squadrons. The price tag soon increased to £8 million for 24 aircraft, and the Treasury was reluctant to spend that much money pending a review of Britain's overseas defence commitments, which would establish whether a third squadron was required. There were also doubts about the financial viability of Handley Page. Approval was given for the conversion of twelve aircraft on 12 June, three more on 9 July, and another nine on 15 September. The second production Victor B.1 (XA918) was converted into a prototype tanker. This involved the installation of Flight Refuelling Mark 20B pods on each wing to refuel fighter aircraft, two fuel tanks in the bomb bay, and a Flight Refuelling Mark 17 HDU in the bomb bay for bombers and transport aircraft. The grounding of the Valiant tankers injected some urgency into the situation, as the RAF lost its refuelling capability. Six Victor K.1A tankers were delivered to No. 55 Squadron at RAF Marham in May and June 1965, but these were not full conversions, as they had only the underwing refuelling pods, and retained their bombing capability. 918:(SAC) was clearly desirable, and a joint war plan was negotiated between 1954 and 1958. The RAF's nuclear force was capable of destroying key targets before bomber aircraft from the United States had entered Soviet airspace, "taking into account Bomber Command’s ability to be on target in the first wave several hours in advance of the main SAC force operating from bases in the United States." Based on the assumption that RAF Bomber Command would have about 100 V bombers in operations by 1959, the SAC/RAF agreement assigned 106 targets to the UK: 69 cities, 17 long-range aviation bases, and 20 air-defence sites. Attacks on the air-defence installations would clear the way for waves of SAC bombers to follow. The plan was updated annually; as Soviet capabilities improved, more emphasis was placed on attacking airfields and missile bases. 1065:

US personnel had custody of the weapons. That meant they performed all the tasks related to their storage, maintenance and readiness. While the bombs were at the same bases as the bombers, they were stored in Secure Storage Areas (SSAs) that British staff were not permitted to enter. It was therefore impossible to store British and American bombs together in the same SSA. Bomber Command designated RAF Marham, RAF Waddington and RAF Honington as bases with US SSAs. Another three sites had British SSAs. US custody created operational problems. The procedure for handing over the bombs added an extra ten minutes to the bombers' reaction time, and the requirement that US personnel had guardianship of the weapons at all times meant that neither they nor the bombers could be relocated to dispersal airfields as the RAF desired.

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Valiant were ordered. Fourteen B(PR)K.1 versions were produced. These were a tanker variant of the photo-reconnaissance model, with a hose drum unit (HDU) in the bomb bay. The final production model of the Valiant was the BK.1 version, which had a 4,500 pounds (2,000 kg) fuel tank in the front of the bomb bay and an HDU in the rear. Some 44 were built. No. 214 Squadron was selected to carry out tanker trials, while retaining its bombing role, in February 1958. The trials were successful. In August 1961, a second Valiant squadron, No. 90 Squadron, was ordered to begin training in the aerial refuelling role. Nos 90 and 214 Squadrons became full-time tanker squadrons on 1 April 1962. In a demonstration on 20/21 June 1962, a Vulcan B.1A from No. 617 Squadron flew non-stop from RAF Scampton to

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December 1968 respectively. It was decided to convert their Victor B.2s into tankers. However, while the Vulcans' rigid delta wing coped well with low-altitude flight, it subjected the Victors' slender wings to considerable flexing, and they suffered badly from fatigue cracks. Repairing them became a major cost of the tanker conversion programme, and some Victors were determined to be beyond economical repair. The Victor SR.2s were withdrawn from service to make up the numbers, and were replaced by Vulcans. Due to the increased costs, none of the SR.2s were modified, and only 21 Victor K.2 tankers were converted. Handley Page went into liquidation in August 1969, and the subsequent work was undertaken by

462:. This allowed the Air Ministry to drop the development of the Sperrin. The B-29 served in the RAF under the name of the Washington B1. The RAF received its first Washington on 22 March 1950, and the eighty-seventh was delivered in June 1952. Like the Lincoln, it was a piston-engine aircraft, and while it did have the range to reach the Soviet Union from British bases, it was not nuclear-capable. The RAF planned to use them against Soviet bomber bases. The Washingtons suffered from maintenance problems due to a lack of spare parts, and most were returned to the US between July 1953 and July 1954; four remained in service until 1958. Their role was assumed by the new jet-propelled 1331: 1622: 1556: 327:(OR230) for an advanced jet bomber capable of carrying a 10,000-pound (4,500 kg) bomb to a target 2,000 nautical miles (3,700 kilometres) from a base anywhere in the world with a cruising speed of 500 knots (930 km/h) and at an altitude of between 35,000 and 50,000 feet (11,000 and 15,000 m). The bomb weight arose from an earlier operational requirement for an atomic bomb (OR1001), which specified a maximum weight of 10,000 pounds (4,500 kg). The speed and altitude requirements were based on what was thought necessary to penetrate enemy air defences. The aircraft itself was to weigh no more than 200,000 pounds (91,000 kg). The 1469:-month tours. No. 10 Squadron was disbanded in March 1964, and No. 15 Squadron in October. No. 12(B) Squadron replaced them at RAAF Butterworth from October. The Vulcans were recalled to UK in December 1964 whilst the responsibility for the Far East fell on temporary detachments of Vulcans of Nos 9, 12 and 35 Squadrons with up to 16 aircraft for short periods. Tensions decreased after March 1965, and the size of the detachment was cut to four aircraft. As the Waddington Wing converted to the Mk2 Vulcan the responsibility was transferred to Nos 44, 50 and 101 Squadrons. Annual deployments in support of SEATO continued for some years. 54: 1278: 1547:(4.9 m/s), and a maximum bank angle of 30 degrees. When Vickers commenced repairs, it was found that the damage was more severe than first thought, and the entire fleet was grounded on 9 December 1964, and withdrawn from service. At first it was thought that the switch to low-level flying was the cause, but cracks were also found in Valiants that were in service as tanker and strategic reconnaissance aircraft, and had not been flown at low level. Suspicion then fell on the aluminium alloy that had been used, DTD683. One Valiant (XD816) remained in service as a test aircraft, having been re-sparred. 1178: 1655: 1499:

a panel at the navigator's station known as a 90-way that monitored the electrical connections to each bomb, and was said to provide 90 different sequences for releasing the bombs. None of the Vulcans at RAF Waddington were fitted with the bomb racks or the 90-way. A search of the supply dumps at Waddington and RAF Scampton located the 90-way panels, which were fitted and tested, but finding enough septuple bomb carriers proved harder, and at least nine were required. Someone remembered that some had been sold to a scrapyard in

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wingspan and new electrical and electronic systems were ordered on 25 February 1956. The last 17 aircraft outstanding from the September 1954 order and 8 from the March 1955 order were switched to the B.2, making a total of 49 on order. Another 40 were ordered on 22 January 1958. A pre-production model, XH533, first flew on 19 August 1958, and in a trial on 4 March 1959 it reached 61,500 feet (18,700 m). The wings and new engines also increased the range by 250 to 300 miles (400 to 480 km). The second production B.2,

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represented a numerical reduction in the force available to SACEUR, but an improvement in capability due to the Valiants' all-weather strike capacity. The decision was taken by the Air Council on 15 May 1958. The first squadron to be assigned was No. 207 Squadron, on 1 January 1960. It was followed by No. 49 Squadron on 1 July, and No. 148 on 13 July. No. 49 Squadron moved to RAF Marham so that all three squadrons were concentrated there. They were each equipped with two

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squadrons at RAF Honington and RAF Cottesmore were ordered to switch to low-level operations in March 1963. The Vulcan B.2 and Victor B.2 squadrons followed on 1 May 1964. A sign of the new doctrine was the replacement of their white paintwork with green camouflage on their upper surfaces, starting with Vulcan XH505 on 24 March 1964. They were also outfitted with new ECMs, ground positioning equipment and terrain-following radar. Tests performed in the UK and at

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on 19 July 1948. An ITP was given to Vickers-Armstrong in April 1948, followed by a contract for two prototypes in February 1949, whereas Shorts was only awarded a contract for two prototypes in February 1949. The first prototype Vickers 660 flew on 18 May 1951, three months before the first prototype Sperrin, which first flew on 10 August 1951. No longer required, the Sperrin was cancelled; only the two prototypes were built.

1050: 927: 907:, by targeting the population and administrative centres of the Soviet Union. In 1957, the Air Ministry drew up a list of 131 Soviet cities with populations of 100,000 or more. Of these, 98 were within 2,100 nautical miles (3,900 km) of the UK. Of these, 44 were selected. It was estimated that their destruction would kill about thirty per cent of the urban population of the Soviet Union, about 38 million people. 5058: 5094: 1420:. At the last minute, it was discovered that fifteen US transport aircraft were at Cairo West evacuating civilians, and the target had to be altered while the bombers were already in the air. The Valiants dropped target markers, and then Canberras dropped flares to illuminate the target area. This allowed other Canberras to drop bombs on the runways. This pattern was repeated in attacks on four airfields in the 943: 1678:. The Falklands War intervened, providing a temporary reprieve. No. 101 Squadron was disbanded on 4 August 1982, and No. 44 Squadron on 21 December 1982. The last Vulcan unit, No. 50 Squadron at RAF Waddington, was disbanded on 13 March 1984, leaving behind six K.2s and three B.2s. The Ministry of Defence decided to retain a Vulcan in service for air shows. This role was filled by 1008:. No. 49 Squadron was selected to perform the live weapon drop and was equipped with specially modified Valiants to conform with the scientific requirements of the tests and other precautionary measures to protect against heat and radiation. The test was largely a failure, as the measured yield was less than a third of the maximum expected and the device failed to achieve a 347:, with Stuart Scott-Hall, the Principal Director of Technical Development (Air) representing the Ministry of Supply. The result was a new Operational Requirement (OR229) on 7 January 1947. This was much the same as OR230, but the range was cut to 1,500 nautical miles (2,800 km), and the weight reduced to 100,000 pounds (45,000 kg). OR229 formed the basis of an 404:

requirement (OR239), from which an Air Ministry specification, B.14/46, was generated, which was issued on 11 August 1947. This had lower cruising altitude and speed requirements than B.35/46, but was otherwise identical. A design was put forward by Shorts, which was given an ITP in November 1947. The result was an extremely conservative design with straight wings, the

1194:, insisted that priority be accorded to getting the Mark I into service, and the Mark II was cancelled at the end of 1959. Considerable modification was required to enable the Victors to carry Blue Steel. These included structural changes to the bomb bay. New 20,600 lbf (92 kN) Conway RCo.17 engines were installed, along with a 978:. Valiant B.1 WZ366 of No. 49 Squadron became the first RAF aircraft to drop an operational atomic bomb when it performed a test drop of a down-rated 3-kt Blue Danube at Maralinga on 11 October 1956. The bomb landed about 100 yards (91 m) left and 60 yards (55 m) short of the target. The pilot was Squadron Leader 1634:. The first Victor K.2 tanker made its maiden flight on 1 March 1972. No. 55 Squadron began re-equipping with the Victor K.2 on 1 July 1975, followed by No. 57 Squadron on 7 June 1976. No. 214 Squadron retained its K.1As until it was disbanded on 28 February 1977, reducing the RAF's tanker fleet to just two squadrons. 911:

that could attack key targets in the Soviet Union from bases in the United States. But the United States strategy was that attacks on population centres would have little value once a war had actually begun, and prioritised military targets, particularly those from which nuclear weapons could be launched or deployed.

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their targets. The results were unimpressive. Three of the seven main Egyptian airbases remained fully operational, one had its runway shortened, and one had three craters that needed filling. The only airbase that was completely out of commission was Cairo West, and then only because of Egyptian demolitions.

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designed for the low-level operations that the V bombers would employ in their later years. Moreover, the rationale for producing both the Vulcan and the Victor disappeared early on. That for producing the Victor B.2 instead of concentrating on the Vulcan B.2 was especially dubious, and Air Chief Marshal Sir

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exercise over Wales. The whole Valiant fleet was checked, and many were found to have significant cracks in the wing spars. Those that were considered to have little or no damage were cleared to fly, but with a temporary restriction to a maximum speed of 250 knots (460 km/h), maximum load of 0.5

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During the Falklands War, the commitments of the Victor tanker fleet became overwhelming. All available tankers were deployed to support operations there. Only the Victor tanker fleet made it possible for the transport aircraft to reach Ascension Island with vital supplies, and for the Vulcan bombers

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and its associated defences. While the Vulcans were capable of carrying conventional munitions, this had not been done for a long time. To carry twenty-one 1,000-pound (450 kg) bombs, the Vulcan required three sets of bomb carriers, each of which held seven bombs. Their release was controlled by

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as part of the TBF (Tactical Bomber Force), while remaining part of Bomber Command for training and administration. As the new Victors and Vulcans became available, Valiants became surplus to the planned V force of 144 aircraft. It was proposed that 24 Valiants could replace 64 Canberra bombers. This

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force. Project E weapons were replaced by British Yellow Sun bombs at RAF Honington on 1 July 1961 and Waddington on 30 March 1962. Problems encountered in the development of the Red Beard bomb meant that the replacement of kiloton weapons took longer. The UK-based Valiants at Honington and Wittering

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design, the Vickers 660. This had been rejected because it did not meet the B.35/46 specification; but the estimated performance of the Sperrin caused officials at the Air Ministry to take another look. A new specification, B.9/48, was drawn up, based on the Vickers-Armstrong design, which was issued

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area over the next two nights. The Valiant's final mission was flown on 3 November against El Agami Island, which was believed to be a submarine repair depot. By the time operations ended, 450 long tons (460 t) of bombs had been dropped, half of which had fallen within 650 yards (590 m) of

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The planned V bomber force was reduced to 144 aircraft, and it was planned to equip half of them with Project E weapons. The first 28 Valiants were modified by October 1957; the remaining 20 Valiants, along with 24 Vulcans, were ready by January 1959. Under the Project E Memorandum of Understanding,

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noted that "the RAF has handled aircraft for a long time and can fly Valiants as soon as they come off the production line. But the Royal Air Force has not yet handled atomic weapons, therefore, we must get some bombs to the RAF at the earliest possible moment, so that the handling and servicing can

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would eventually make such aircraft vulnerable, but development of such missiles was proving difficult, and fast and high-flying jet bombers were likely to serve for years before there was a need for something better. Massed bombers were unnecessary if a single bomber could destroy an entire city or

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dispensers. After the Valiants were grounded, the timetable for the development of a photo-reconnaissance version of the Victor, known as the SR.2, was accelerated. A prototype (XL165) was flown for the first time on 23 February 1965, and the first aircraft (XL230) was delivered to No. 543 Squadron

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was ongoing at this time, none of the Exercise Profiteer aircraft participated in combat operations. When the Valiants were assigned to SACEUR for operations in Europe, the conventional mission in the Middle East was assigned to the Vulcans at RAF Waddington, while that in the Far East was given to

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The V bombers were formally relieved of their role as the deliverer of the UK strategic nuclear deterrent, which officially passed to the Polaris ballistic missile submarines of the Royal Navy on 1 July 1969. The last Blue Steel mission was flown on 21 December 1970. Five Vulcan squadrons continued

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The British government was well aware of the devastation that a nuclear war would bring. A 1953 report estimated that an attack on the UK with 132 fission weapons would generate 2 million casualties. A follow-on study, which considered the possible effect of hydrogen bombs, estimated that as few as

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9 engine, an improved version of the Sapphire 7 in the Victor B.1. However, development of the Sapphire 9 was cancelled by the Ministry of Supply in February 1956, and a minor improvement to the Sapphire 7 in March 1956 increased its thrust to 11,000 lbf (49 kN), so it was decided to ship

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fighters coming into service in the Soviet Union had a ceiling of 58,725 feet (17,899 m), a V bomber could avoid them by flying at over 60,000 feet (18,000 m). Two dozen of a new model of the Vulcan, the B.2, with 17,000 lbf (76 kN) Bristol Olympus 201 engines, a slightly larger

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concept as insurance against the favoured delta wing design being a failure. The Handley Page and Armstrong Whitworth designs were both considered. The Ministry of Supply gave financial cover in the form of an Intention to Proceed (ITP) order to Avro in November 1947. An advisory committee selected

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and Vulcan bombers. The equipment in the ECM bay was removed and a Mark 17 HDU installed there. The first of six converted Vulcan tankers (XH561 - the others being XH558, XH560, XJ825, XL445 and XM571) flew on 18 June 1982, just seven weeks after the conversion work began, and the first Vulcan K.2

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decided that the V bombers should be capable of both aerial refuelling and acting as tankers, and an Operational Requirement (OR3580) was issued in 1956 for an electronic positioning system to facilitate aerial refuelling. Initially, there were no aircraft to perform the role, but two new types of

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system was known to be non-operational due to lack of maintenance and spare parts, so the bombers were ordered to operate at night when the visually-controlled defences would be least effective. This meant a reversion to the tactics used by Bomber Command in the Second World War. The Valiants were

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By this time, it was anticipated that even with Blue Steel, the air defences of the Soviet Union would soon improve to the extent that V bombers might find it difficult to attack their targets, and there were calls for the development of the Blue Steel Mark II with a range of at least 600 nautical

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immediately inquired as to whether this meant that the British megaton bomb programme could be terminated. The answer was no; the operational restrictions imposed by Project E "effectively handed the US government a veto over the use of half of Britain's nuclear deterrent". With sufficient British

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It was almost inconceivable that a war with the Soviet Union would not involve the United States, and as early as 1946, American defence planning envisaged using the UK as a base for nuclear strikes on the Soviet Union, as the United States Air Force (USAF) had not yet developed long-range bombers

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In July 1964, a Valiant of No. 543 Squadron (WZ394) on a deployment to Rhodesia was found to have cracks in the rear wing spar and was ferried back to the UK for repairs. The following month, a Valiant from No. 232 Operational Conversion Unit (WP217) suffered a wing spar failure during a training

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The V Bomber force reached its peak in June 1964, when 50 Valiants, 70 Vulcans and 39 Victors were in service. In retrospect, the decision to proceed with three V bombers was questionable. As it turned out, all the roles could have been performed by the Valiant, and its B.2 model was specifically

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No. 617 Squadron was disbanded on 31 December 1981, followed by No. 35 Squadron on 1 March 1982, and No. 9 Squadron on 1 May 1982. This left only Nos 44, 50 and 101 Squadrons at RAF Waddington, which were all scheduled to disband by 1 July 1982, with their tactical nuclear mission passing to the

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explosion as intended. The first British hydrogen bomb that detonated as planned was Grapple X Round A, dropped on 8 November 1957. The Grapple series of tests continued into 1958, and the Grapple Y bomb exploded in April 1958 with ten times the yield of the original "Short Granite". Testing was

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urged the encouragement of large-scale atomic energy research. It foresaw the devastating effects of atomic weapons and envisaged high-flying jet bombers cruising at 500 mph (800 km/h) at 40,000 ft (12,000 m). It was thought that potential aggressors might be deterred by the

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As Victor tankers became available, a second tanker squadron, No. 57 Squadron, was formed at RAF Marham on 14 February 1966, and a third was added on 1 July 1966 when No. 214 Squadron was re-formed. The last Victor bomber squadrons, Nos 100 and 139 Squadrons, were disbanded on 1 October and 31

1503:, and they were retrieved from there. Locating sufficient bombs also proved difficult, and only 167 could be found, and some had cast bomb cases instead of the preferable machined ones. Training of crews in conventional bombing and in-flight refuelling was carried out from 14 to 17 April 1982. 1308:

By 1963, the RAF was convinced that, to have any chance of survival, the V bombers would have to attack at low level. At altitudes below 3,000 feet (910 m), radar was less effective due to ground-generated clutter. The three Vulcan B.1A squadrons at RAF Waddington and the four Victor B.1A

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Defence Committee approved the acquisition of Skybolt in February 1960. The Vulcan B.2s were modified to carry a pair of Skybolt missiles. They were fitted with 20,000 lbf (89 kN) Bristol Olympus 301 engines, strengthened wings and two special attachment points. A British warhead was

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The 17 December 1946 meeting that came up with OR230 also decided to solicit bids for a more conservative design that could be put into service more quickly, and could act as further insurance against the failure of both of the more advanced designs. This was expressed in another operational

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baulked, and initially refused to accept OR230. Calculations showed that such an aircraft would require a runway 2,000 yards (1,800 m) long. Bomber Command's runways were built to handle the Lancaster, and extending them would be an expensive undertaking, involving not only additional

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Valiants served in a photo-reconnaissance role with No. 543 Squadron, commencing in the second half of 1955. At least seven Valiants were configured to the ECM role, serving with No. 199 Squadron from 30 September 1957. These aircraft were ultimately fitted with APT-16A and ALT-7 jamming

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on 18 May 1965. The Victor SR.2s carried out extensive photographic survey work, which assumed increased importance after the bombers switched to low-level operations. No. 543 Squadron was disbanded on 31 May 1974, but a flight of four remained until 30 March 1975 to participate in

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On 30 April 1947, Armstrong Whitworth, Avro, English Electric and Handley Page were invited to submit formal design tenders. A tender design conference was held on 28 July 1947, and decided to order the design submitted by Avro, along with a small flying model to test its

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in 1956. It was the first and only time the Valiants dropped bombs in combat operations. RAF units began deploying to Malta in September 1956, and when Israel attacked Egypt on 29 October 1956, four Valiant squadrons—Nos 138, 148, 207 and 214 Squadrons—were based at

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military installation with a nuclear weapon. It would have to be a large bomber, since the first generation of nuclear weapons were big and heavy. Such a large and advanced bomber would be expensive on a per-unit basis, as it would be produced in small quantities.

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one. The prototype Victor B.2, XH668, first flew on 20 February 1959, but was lost over the Irish Sea on 20 August. The first production B.2, XL188, was delivered on 2 November 1961, and No. 139 Squadron became the first Victor B.2 squadron on 1 February 1962.

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in Singapore for a fortnight to gain experience operating in the Far East. This was known as Exercise Profiteer. Subsequently, small detachments of Valiants and Vulcans deployed to the Far East for a fortnight every three months until June 1960. Although the

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As V bomber production picked up, the number of bombers exceeded the number of available British nuclear weapons. Britain had only ten nuclear bombs in 1955, and just 14 in 1956. To make up the difference, American nuclear weapons were obtained through

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was developed. Deliveries of the 450-kilotonne-of-TNT (1,900 TJ) WE.177B commenced in September 1966. Through Project E and the introduction of the smaller, lighter Red Beard bomb, which entered service in 1960, by the mid-1960s Canberras and the

1301:, under which arrangements were made so that three armed aircraft were always ready to scramble within 15 minutes. They were also the first V bombers to adopt a low-level strike role, with their white paintwork replaced by green camouflage. During the 767:

RCo.11 engines providing 17,250 lbf (76.7 kN). The new Conway engines required redesigned enlarged intakes to provide the greater airflow required, and the wingspan was extended from 110 to 120 feet (34 to 37 m). As in the Vulcan, the

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During the 1982 Falklands War, Vulcan bombers from Nos 44, 50 and 101 Squadrons, supported by Victor tankers from Nos 55 and 57 Squadrons, carried out a series of seven extremely long-range ground attack missions against Argentine positions in the

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were withdrawn in April and October 1962, and the last Valiants were retired from the V bomber force in July 1965. The final practice loading at RAF Marham—with the Mark 43s—was in January 1965, and the last US personnel left the base in July.

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anti-radar missiles externally. Of the five Black Buck raids flown to completion, three were against Stanley Airfield's runway and operational facilities, and the other two were anti-radar missions using Shrike missiles against a Westinghouse

1731:(Civil Registration G-VLCN), flew until October 2015, funded by public donations. It was displayed at airshows and events. It will be used as a centrepiece for engineering excellence, showing what an advanced design it was for the period. 1165:

programme, but it too was cancelled, on 24 February 1960. To extend the effectiveness and operational life of the V bombers, an Operational Requirement (OR1132), was issued on 3 September 1954 for an air-launched, rocket-propelled

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tanker was delivered to the RAF five days later. The HDUs used were those earmarked for the VC-10 conversion programme, so as these were completed, the HDUs were removed from the Vulcans, starting with Vulcan XJ825 on 4 May 1983.

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demonstrated that Blue Steel could be launched from low level. The Yellow Sun Mark 2 free-fall bomb was a different story, and V bombers equipped with it would have had to climb to medium altitude to release it. A new bomb, the

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commencing on 9 December 1961. It did not prove possible to modify the Victors. The project came to an abrupt halt when the US government cancelled Skybolt on 31 December 1962, but the vestigial attachment points were used for

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delivered from bombers flying at high altitudes increasingly ineffective. While making the V bombers fast enough to avoid them was problematic, improved engines offered the possibility of allowing them to fly higher. Since the

248:, as its standard bomber for this purpose. Production of the Lincoln continued after the war, and eventually 450 were built. Although touted as a mighty bomber in 1945, it lacked the range to reach targets in the 1296:

provided by Project E. The three TBF squadrons eventually became the only Valiant bomber squadrons as all the others were disbanded or converted to tanker or strategic reconnaissance roles. They adopted SACEUR's

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on 24 June 1956. There was no immediate concern as Soviet designs often took several years to deploy; but its ceiling of 65,610 feet (20,000 m) posed a clear threat to the V bombers. So too did the new

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was formed at RAF Wittering on 3 August 1954 which conducted ballistic test trials with Blue Danube practice bombs. It became C Flight of No. 138 Squadron in March 1956, and No. 49 Squadron on 1 May 1956.

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in the Pacific. Responsibility for the reconnaissance role passed to No. 27 Squadron, which had been re-formed in November 1973, and operated the Vulcan SR.2. No. 27 Squadron was disbanded in March 1982.

1351:. Six squadrons of Vulcans were still assigned this role with the WE.177 weapon in 1981. The last four remaining squadrons were about to disband in 1982 when called upon to assist in the Falklands War. 574:, was formed at RAF Waddington in May 1957. It initially used aircraft borrowed from No. 230 Operational Conversion Unit until it received its first Vulcan, XA905, on 11 July 1957. It was followed by 1721:

in Shropshire to tell the story of the Cold War. This exhibition brought together static displays of all three types of V bomber in one location for the first time. The museum's director general, Dr

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instead. This spelt the beginning of the end of the V bombers' nuclear deterrent, but six more years passed before the submarines were built and the Royal Navy was able to take over responsibility.

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25 of the next production batch of 33 Victors ordered in May 1955 with the Sapphire 7. The remaining eight, along with 18 more Victors ordered in January 1956, were built as Victor B.2s, with the

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decided on 7 July 1960 that Project E weapons would be phased out by December 1962, by which time it was anticipated that there would be sufficient British megaton weapons to equip the entire

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Work was already under way to replace the Valiants with Victors. A proposal to convert Victor B.1s and B.1As was first considered by the Air Staff on 25 May 1961 and was endorsed by the

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of their wings became apparent; a planned low-level variant did not progress beyond the prototype. Usage of all V bombers as weapons platforms, nuclear or conventional, ended in 1982.

4687: 423:. Hitherto, bombers had been named after British or Commonwealth cities, but in October 1952 the Air Ministry decided to adopt alliterate names, with the other designs becoming the 1377:. No. 138 Squadron was the only one with a full complement of eight Valiants; Nos 148 and 207 each had six, and No. 214 had only four. The initial objective was to neutralise the 1042:

of both the Mk 1 and Mk 2 versions. Project E modifications to Valiants commenced at RAE Farnborough in February 1956. Crew training was carried out with American instructors at

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and advances in aviation technology to introduce more potent and effective means of conducting warfare. In November 1944, the UK Chiefs of Staff had requested a report from Sir

431:. Henceforth, the three would be known as the V bombers. While more expensive than the approach of building one bomber design per category, the RAF insisted on having choice. 758:, drooped leading edges and a strengthened pressure cabin. This modified version was known as the Victor B.1A. An improved version of the Victor was also programmed with the 504:

be practised and fully worked out." The Canberra and Valiant were accorded "super priority" status on 13 March 1952, and in December the Vulcan and Victor also received it.

299:, as had occurred after the First World War, and dreaded the possibility that Britain might have to fight an aggressor alone. It also feared that Britain might lose its 1398:(NBS) and it was not serviceable in all of those that were. This forced a reversion to the older, visual bomb sight. The Valiants and Canberras were equipped with the 507:

The Valiant went into production as the first V bomber in 1955. The Valiant entered service in February 1955, the Vulcan in May 1956 and the Victor in November 1957.

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in 20 hours and 5 minutes, refuelled four times by tankers from No. 214 Squadron. They served in the role until the Valiants were abruptly withdrawn from service.

291:. The British government trusted that the United States would continue to share nuclear technology, which it regarded as a joint discovery, after the war, but the 124:, which first flew in 1952 and entered service in 1957. The V Bomber force reached its peak in June 1964 with 50 Valiants, 70 Vulcans and 39 Victors in service. 598:, which received its first Victor on 9 April 1958 and was formed on 15 April. This was followed by No. 15 Squadron, which was formed on 1 September 1958, and 143:

profile was changed to one of low level penetration and release. This reduced its range significantly. It was then planned to move to the much longer-ranged

1531:

long-range 3D radar in the Port Stanley area. Shrikes hit two of the less valuable and rapidly replaced secondary fire control radars, causing minor damage.

1594:

tankers at one time or another. The Valiant was the RAF's first large-scale tanker. The probe and drogue system for aerial refuelling was developed by Sir

1216:

minutes per aircraft. A total of 23 Victor B.2 aircraft were upgraded to the new standard, known as B.2R (for retrofit), and two more were built as such.

1611: 1705:

in southern Iraq. The tankers returned to RAF Marham in September 1993, where No. 55 Squadron, the last Victor unit, was disbanded on 15 October 1993.

1412:

The first mission was flown on 31 October, in co-operation with Canberra bombers from Malta and Cyprus. The target was five Egyptian airbases in the

1522:

effort as all aircraft had to use the same runway. The aircraft carried either twenty-one 1,000-pound (450 kg) bombs internally or two or four

213:

versions of all three designs were developed. Reconnaissance versions were produced, and other modifications were also made during their lifetime.

4365:

Suit, William W. (1995). "The Transfer of B-29s to the Royal Air Force Under the Military Defense Assistance Program". In Miller, Roger G. (ed.).

594:

in May 1943. No. 232 Operational Conversion Unit took delivery of its first Victor on 29 November 1957. The first operational Victor squadron was

263:

on potential future means of warfare. Reporting without knowledge of the progress of Allied efforts to produce an atomic bomb, in July 1945 the

5114: 332:

construction, but land acquisition and demolition works. OR230 would never be fulfilled, and was ultimately cancelled on 17 September 1952.

1514:) and 15 hours for the return journey, were the longest-ranged bombing raids in history at the time. The Black Buck raids were staged from 336: 975: 1227:

warhead, this would improve the capability of the UK's V bomber force, and extend its useful life into the late 1960s and early 1970s.

303:

status and its influence in world affairs. It therefore restarted its own nuclear weapons development effort, which was now codenamed

890:, a desire to retain jobs in the aviation industry, and because the government wanted the Rolls-Royce Conway engine produced for the 4181: 3337: 1327:

were able to deliver nuclear weapons, but their power was insignificant compared with that of the 109 Victor and Vulcan bombers.

1085: 1080:, led to the United States Atomic Energy Act being amended again in 1958, resulting in the long-sought resumption of the nuclear 979: 563: 508: 292: 2150: 1598:, but the Air Ministry doubted its value so long as Britain maintained bases around the world. However, on 8 January 1954, the 93: 3992:

Finn, Christopher; Berg, Paul D. (Winter 2004). "Anglo-American Strategic Air Power Co-operation in the Cold War and Beyond".

1725:, stated the goal was "people will leave feeling better informed about what happened in the second half of the 20th Century." 439:

believed that had the air force been forced to choose among the three British bombers under development in the late 1930s—the

5037: 4628: 4461: 4394: 4318: 4291: 4264: 4237: 4210: 4159: 4132: 4105: 4046: 3982: 3955: 3925: 3850: 3757: 3730: 1271: 386:

in flight during 1951; this type was developed to test the tailless thick delta wing configuration chosen for the Avro Vulcan

1405:

system, but it could not be used as there were no beacons in the Middle East. However, the Valiants were also equipped with

3877: 1451:

heated up in December 1963, eight Victors from Nos 10 and 15 Squadrons were sent to the Far East, where they were based at

1249: 198: 605:

The UK nuclear strike force became known officially as the V force or Main Force. V force assets at the end of 1958 were:

1174:. The Ministry of Supply placed a development contract with Avro in March 1956, and it entered service in December 1962. 348: 1638:

to reach the Falkland Islands for Operation Black Buck. In the meantime, the RAF forces in the UK were serviced by USAF

903:

ten could reduce the entire UK to a radioactive ruin. Given that defence was impractical, the UK turned to a policy of

3775:

Baylis, John (Spring 2005). "British Nuclear Doctrine: The 'Moscow Criterion' and the Polaris Improvement Programme".

240:

bombers for massed raids, and remained committed to this policy in the immediate post-war period. The RAF adopted the

750:

Modifications were made to the Victor B.1 in 1959. These included the addition of an in-flight refuelling probe, new

1740: 1578: 1088:. The United States now agreed to supply the V bombers with megaton weapons in place of the Mark 5, in the form of 983: 335:

The Operational Requirements Committee met to discuss OR230 on 17 December 1946. This committee was chaired by the

2549: 4590:

Young, Ken (Spring 2007b). "A Most Special Relationship: The Origins of Anglo-American Nuclear Strike Planning".

4414:"Witness to History: Reflections on Memory and Archives: RAF Bomber Command During the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis" 1073: 1697:

in Bahrain between December 1990 and March 1991. Victor tankers subsequently deployed to Akrotiri in support of

1186:

miles (1,100 km). Despite the name, this was a whole new missile, and not a development of the Mark I. The

139:

could bring down high-flying aircraft, the V bomber force changed to low-level attack methods. Additionally the

4954: 4883: 4382: 1714: 1667: 1261: 1072:

were supplied for the V bombers. They had a yield of up to 100 kilotonnes of TNT (420 TJ). The successful

147: 4811: 4454:

RAF Strategic Nuclear Deterrent Forces, Their Origins, Roles and Deployment, 1946–1969. A Documentary History

4154:. The Official History of the UK Strategic Nuclear Deterrent. Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire: Routledge. 1395: 1228: 1102: 459: 352: 344: 186: 1701:, the operations to protect Kurdish communities in the northern part of Iraq, and to Muharraq in support of 4791: 4760: 1339:

to serve with the WE.177B weapon in a tactical role in Europe with SACEUR. Nos 9 and 35 Squadrons moved to

1027: 492: 356: 150:. When the US cancelled Skybolt, the survivability of the V force was highly questionable. This led to the 4553:

Young, Ken (January 2007a). "US 'Atomic Capability' and the British Forward Bases in the Early Cold War".

1330: 4980: 4770: 4646: 1621: 1569: 1054: 1039: 759: 5048: 4900: 4765: 2336: 1639: 1599: 1365: 1348: 1310: 1134: 1031: 751: 296: 1125:

The prospect of bombers being able to avoid the Soviet air defences dimmed with the appearance of the

1013:

finally terminated in November 1958 when the British government decided to cease atmospheric testing.

5098: 4232:. Nuclear Weapons and International Security since 1945. Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave MacMillan. 4064:

Harrison, Kevin (1982). "From Independence to Dependence: Blue Streak, Skybolt, Nassau and Polaris".

1555: 1241: 1170:

with a range of 100 nautical miles (190 km) that could be launched from a V bomber. This became

463: 455: 364: 4369:. Washington, DC: Air Force History and Museums Program, United States Air Force. pp. 101–116. 3916:

Burden, Rodney A.; Draper, Michael I.; Rough, Douglas A.; Smith, Colin R.; Wilton, David L. (1986).

351:, B.35/46. A request for designs went to most of the United Kingdom's major aircraft manufacturers: 4971: 1698: 1448: 935: 167: 17: 4413: 3804:

Bronk, Justin (2014). "Britain's 'Independent' V-Bomber Force and US Nuclear Weapons, 1957–1962".

733:

The development of effective jet fighters and anti-aircraft missile defences promised to make the

1647: 1481:

Vulcan XM597, showing mission markings from its two Black Buck missions and Brazilian internment.

1382: 1126: 739: 324: 304: 2529: 1394:

neither trained nor equipped for such a mission. Not all of the Valiants were equipped with the

279:

During the early part of the Second World War, Britain had a nuclear weapons project, codenamed

2550:"Individual History Vickers Valiant B (K) Mk.I XD818/7894M Museum Accession Number 1994/1352/A" 1686:.In 1992, XH558 was sold to a private owner, and it made its last RAF flight on 23 March 1993. 1573: 1277: 1146: 887: 295:(McMahon Act) ended technical co-operation. The British government saw this as a resurgence of 132: 53: 3474: 5086: 4835: 1199: 994: 987: 915: 1643: 1177: 189:

that allowed accurate bombing even over very long ranges. The Valiants were used during the

5020: 4738: 4177: 1515: 1495: 1491: 1302: 1298: 1293: 1187: 1171: 1093: 1089: 1081: 873: 867: 861: 855: 716: 706: 700: 694: 684: 678: 672: 583: 575: 548: 540: 536: 520: 516: 448: 202: 140: 4039:

Independence and Deterrence: Britain and Atomic Energy, 1945–1952, Volume 1, Policy Making

8: 4722: 4230:

Nuclear Illusion, Nuclear Reality: Britain, the United States and Nuclear Weapons 1958–64

1417: 1390: 1305:, each V force squadron kept one fully armed aircraft and crew at 15 minutes' readiness. 1162: 1154: 1069: 963: 931: 849: 843: 837: 831: 825: 819: 813: 807: 801: 795: 773: 666: 656: 646: 636: 630: 620: 599: 595: 571: 556: 544: 428: 308: 181:

The V bombers were also capable of dropping conventional weapons, supported by a complex

121: 75: 1347:

and operations on NATO's southern flank. They were withdrawn in 1975 in the wake of the

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Although originally part of the V force, three squadrons of Valiants were assigned to

454:

As a stop gap, the British announced on 27 January 1950 that it had agreed to acquire

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In addition to the roles for which they were designed, all three V bombers served as

1443: 1406: 1281: 1043: 1005: 951: 904: 744: 734: 432: 288: 194: 182: 163: 155: 4611: 252:, and would be vulnerable to the new jet fighters that were then under development. 4599: 4562: 4525: 4488: 4425: 4345: 4073: 3813: 3784: 1487: 1456: 1402: 1257: 1253: 1232:

designed to fit in Skybolt's nose cone, and dummy test firings were carried out at

1167: 1138: 1113: 883: 570:

in January 1957, and Vulcan aircrew training commenced. The first Vulcan squadron,

484: 372: 284: 264: 256: 105: 1198:

ignition system to allow all four engines to be started simultaneously and reduce

982:, and the bomb aimer was Flight Lieutenant Eric Stacey, and both were awarded the 378: 201:

but were not used in missions. The Vulcan is well-remembered for its conventional

5074: 5062: 4712: 4492: 4336:

Roman, Peter J. (1995). "Strategic Bombers over the Missile Horizon, 1957–1963".

4093: 4013: 3817: 1722: 1702: 1675: 1659: 1631: 1615: 1500: 1264: 1233: 997: 947: 591: 440: 420: 229: 210: 175: 113: 89: 43: 4529: 3788: 1654: 1364:

The first V bomber to see combat use with conventional bombs was the Valiant in

499:

on 7 and 11 November 1953, the RAF had no bombers capable of carrying them. Sir

4919: 4743: 4678: 3943: 1565: 1386: 1268: 1220: 1077: 769: 660: 640: 624: 579: 567: 500: 444: 368: 245: 171: 159: 144: 4349: 4169: 4077: 5108: 4853: 4801: 4638: 4566: 4537: 4500: 4437: 4404: 4374: 4367:

Seeing Off the Bear: Anglo-American Air Power Cooperation During the Cold War

4357: 4328: 4301: 4247: 4220: 4142: 4115: 4085: 4056: 4005: 3935: 3887: 3860: 3825: 3767: 3740: 3296: 3294: 1523: 1507: 1324: 1245: 1191: 1009: 1001: 789: 650: 614: 532: 496: 479: 405: 396: 237: 206: 4603: 4471: 4274: 3965: 3666: 5025: 4806: 4034: 4025: 3714: 1728: 1340: 1150: 891: 720: 587: 436: 320: 260: 249: 241: 128: 4676: 4429: 3291: 400:

the Handley Page design on 23 December 1947, and it too was given an ITP.

4796: 4717: 1718: 1595: 1369: 1130: 1109: 1097: 1035: 515:

in June 1955 and aircrew training commenced. The first Valiant squadron,

424: 340: 300: 280: 190: 117: 69: 59: 37: 5069: 4574: 3908: 934:

became the first British aircraft to drop a live atomic bomb during the

268:

knowledge that Britain would retaliate with atomic weapons if attacked.

4621:

The American Bomb in Britain: US Air Forces' Strategic Presence 1946–64

4098:

Dropping Britain's First H-bomb: The Story of Operation Grapple 1957/58

1452: 1438: 1425: 1421: 1320: 1238: 688: 528: 512: 458:

bombers from the United States free under the recently passed American

412: 392: 151: 136: 4516:

Young, Ken (2004). "The Skybolt Crisis of 1962: Mischief or Muddle?".

3623: 3318: 1477: 495:

atomic bombs were delivered to the Bomber Command Armaments School at

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Volume I: From the V Bomber Era to the Arrival of Polaris, 1945–1964

3440: 4869: 4816: 3895:

Brown, N. (1964). "Britain's Strategic Weapons I. Manned Bombers".

1694: 1690: 1374: 1267:

on 3 January 1963, under which the US agreed to supply the UK with

1224: 1158: 383: 255:

Elements within the RAF and the government sought to adopt the new

216:

The Valiants were removed from service in 1964 after problems with

1057:

nuclear bomb, photographed under the wing of Valiant XD818 at the

914:

Coordination of war plans between RAF Bomber Command and the USAF

193:

as conventional bombers. Victors and Vulcans were deployed to the

1437:

On 29 October 1957, three Valiants from No. 214 Squadron flew to

1076:, and a favourable international relations climate caused by the 1049: 926: 535:

in 1956, and six more squadrons were formed in quick succession:

523:, which was formed at RAF Gaydon on 1 June 1955 before moving to 272: 3688: 3613: 3611: 3574: 3572: 2567: 2018: 1836: 1550: 1447:

the Victors based at RAF Cottesmore and RAF Honington. When the

408:, which was in practice little more than a jet-powered Lincoln. 120:, which first flew in 1952 and entered service in 1956; and the 4935: 4821: 4775: 2054: 1604: 1315: 1288: 4479:

Young, Ken (2002). "The Royal Navy's Polaris Lobby: 1955–62".

3175: 3173: 3171: 1824: 1343:

in Cyprus, where they replaced Canberra bombers in support of

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over the Soviet Union on 1 May 1960. In 1957, the supersonic

271:

Even at the time, there were those who could see that guided

236:

ended the Second World War with a policy of using heavy four-

92:(RAF) aircraft during the 1950s and 1960s that comprised the 3750:

Ambiguity and Deterrence: British Nuclear Strategy 1945–1964

3221: 3219: 3217: 3215: 2615: 1149:, which appeared in 1957. One of them shot down an American 116:, which first flew in 1951 and entered service in 1955; the 3428: 3379: 3377: 3375: 3373: 3371: 3279: 3202: 3200: 3168: 2774: 2772: 2770: 2245: 2173: 1984: 1982: 1980: 1646:, but as an interim measure it was decided to convert some 1143: 360: 3725:. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire; New York: Palgrave. 3457: 3455: 3120: 2982: 2909: 2907: 2721: 2719: 2392: 2390: 2078: 1926: 1911: 1860: 3647: 3596: 3559: 3557: 3555: 3418: 3416: 3401: 3389: 3306: 3212: 3132: 3074: 3072: 3033: 2808: 2755: 2731: 2426: 1559:

Vulcan XH534 modified for the reconnaissance role in 1977

1101:

bombs on hand, operational issues, and the concept of an

1084:

between Britain and the United States in the form of the

3540: 3528: 3368: 3255: 3231: 3197: 3057: 2997: 2856: 2767: 2680: 2627: 2363: 2351: 2305: 2293: 2269: 1977: 1901: 1899: 1788: 4100:. Barnsley, South Yorkshire: Pen & Sword Aviation. 3948:

Test of Greatness: Britain's Struggle for the Atom Bomb

3635: 3504: 3467: 3452: 3096: 3084: 2924: 2922: 2904: 2892: 2832: 2796: 2716: 2704: 2658: 2656: 2654: 2510: 2474: 2450: 2438: 2414: 2387: 2317: 2257: 2233: 2090: 2030: 2006: 1994: 1884: 395:

design. The conference also decided to investigate the

3915: 3629: 3584: 3552: 3413: 3324: 3300: 3267: 3069: 2958: 2946: 2934: 2639: 1812: 5046: 3872:. Osprey Combat Aircraft. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. 3144: 3021: 2784: 2498: 2375: 2281: 2221: 2209: 2197: 2185: 2161: 2114: 2102: 2066: 1965: 1941: 1896: 1872: 3843:

V Force: The History of Britain's Airborne Deterrent

3516: 3492: 3243: 3156: 3009: 2919: 2820: 2743: 2692: 2668: 2651: 1776: 1752: 519:, formed at RAF Gaydon in January 1955, followed by 162:

submarine launched ballistic missiles launched from

2970: 2880: 2868: 2844: 2486: 2462: 2402: 2126: 1800: 1689:The Victor tankers saw active service again in the 1612:

Chief Scientific Adviser to the Ministry of Defence

4852:Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile Test Centre, 2042: 1953: 1848: 1764: 1161:bomber was cancelled. This freed up funds for the 1004:over the Pacific, the "Short Granite", as part of 4257:British Weapons and Strategic Planning, 1955–1958 5106: 4176: 3446: 1494:. The objectives of the missions were to attack 2538:(1st supplement). 28 December 1956. p. 36. 4092: 2597: 2585: 2573: 590:, the same base from which it carried out the 307:. The first British atomic bomb was tested in 4662: 4284:The Royal Air Force in the Cold War 1950-1970 1551:Electronic countermeasures and reconnaissance 1534: 582:on 15 October 1957. A third Vulcan squadron, 527:. Two more Valiant bases were established at 483:Three Vulcans in flight during 1957, wearing 4032: 2060: 1830: 1572:, APR-4 and APR-9 "sniffing" receivers, and 1368:, the Anglo-French military response in the 970:Valiants WZ366 and WZ367 were then flown to 411:Meanwhile, Vickers-Armstrong had produced a 4623:. Manchester: Manchester University Press. 1717:opened the National Cold War Exhibition at 993:On 15 May 1957, Valiant B.1 XD818 flown by 4669: 4655: 3713: 2609: 4200: 3845:. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd. 3653: 3617: 3602: 3578: 3362: 3191: 3114: 3051: 3003: 2621: 2357: 2084: 1935: 1920: 1890: 1866: 930:On 11 October 1956, Valiant B.1 WZ366 of 555:at RAF Honington in November and finally 419:Vickers-Armstrong named its aircraft the 4677:Strategic nuclear weapon systems of the 4308: 4063: 3991: 3942: 2964: 2645: 2528: 2323: 2263: 2179: 1842: 1653: 1620: 1554: 1476: 1329: 1276: 1176: 1074:British development of the hydrogen bomb 1048: 941: 925: 780:V force assets at the end of 1962 were: 478: 377: 4411: 4281: 4122: 3977:. Glamorgan, Wales: Big Bird Aviation. 3972: 3867: 3840: 3641: 3590: 3563: 3510: 3461: 3434: 3422: 3407: 3395: 3285: 3273: 3225: 3179: 3102: 3090: 3078: 2991: 2940: 2862: 2504: 2369: 2311: 2299: 2287: 2275: 2251: 2227: 2215: 2203: 2191: 2167: 2108: 1988: 1971: 1758: 1381:, which was believed to have about 100 1354: 772:electrical system was replaced with an 293:United States Atomic Energy Act of 1946 14: 5107: 4589: 4552: 4286:. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Aviation. 4254: 4012: 3774: 3747: 3126: 2790: 2761: 2480: 2444: 2432: 2420: 2396: 2381: 2145: 2143: 2141: 2072: 1818: 1794: 1432: 1389:twin-engine jet bombers. The Egyptian 1219:The British government then turned to 1181:A camouflaged Valiant during the 1960s 602:, which was formed on 1 January 1959. 27:Multi-model class of strategic bombers 5115:Nuclear history of the United Kingdom 5038:Nuclear weapons of the United Kingdom 4650: 4618: 4515: 4478: 4381: 4335: 4227: 4205:. Stroud, Gloucestershire: Fonthill. 4149: 3894: 3803: 3312: 3150: 3138: 3039: 3027: 3015: 2976: 2952: 2928: 2886: 2826: 2814: 2778: 2749: 2737: 2698: 2686: 2674: 2662: 2633: 1854: 1806: 1272:submarine-launched ballistic missiles 451:—it would have chosen the wrong one. 96:strike force known officially as the 4451: 4364: 4313:. Feltham, Middlesex: Temple Press. 3546: 3534: 3522: 3498: 3383: 3261: 3249: 3237: 3206: 3162: 3063: 2913: 2898: 2874: 2850: 2838: 2802: 2725: 2710: 2516: 2492: 2468: 2456: 2408: 2239: 2151:"Royal Air Force History, 1950–1959" 2132: 2120: 2096: 2048: 2036: 2024: 2012: 2000: 1959: 1947: 1905: 1878: 1782: 1770: 1585: 728: 244:, an updated version of the wartime 170:passed to smaller aircraft like the 4259:. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 4018:Britain and Atomic Energy 1939–1945 3667:"Cold War history exhibition opens" 2337:"The Cabinet Papers - Glossary - V" 2138: 1658:Vickers Valiant B1 XD818, flown by 1120: 1086:1958 US–UK Mutual Defence Agreement 946:Vickers Valiant B1 XD818, flown by 564:No. 230 Operational Conversion Unit 509:No. 232 Operational Conversion Unit 474: 24: 4311:The History of the Royal Air Force 3669:. BBC News Channel. 8 January 2007 921: 897: 559:at RAF Honington in January 1957. 94:United Kingdom's strategic nuclear 25: 5131: 4456:. London: The Stationery Office. 3920:. London: Arms and Armour Press. 3340:. Royal Air Force. Archived from 2153:. Royal Air Force. Archived from 886:attributed it to lobbying by Sir 5092: 5080: 5068: 5056: 3681: 3659: 3330: 1741:List of V Bomber dispersal bases 1472: 199:Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation 68: 52: 36: 4555:Journal of Contemporary History 2542: 2522: 2329: 1708: 1625:Victor K.2 tanker XL188 in 1990 1137:and senior RAF officers saw at 1715:Royal Air Force Museum Cosford 1668:Royal Air Force Museum Cosford 1579:French nuclear weapons testing 1490:. The operation was codenamed 1359: 1262:President of the United States 586:, was formed on 1 May 1958 at 562:Vulcan XA895 was allocated to 314: 148:air-launched ballistic missile 127:When it became clear that the 13: 1: 5026:Blue Peacock nuclear landmine 4127:. Shepperton: Ian Allan Ltd. 3994:Air & Space Power Journal 3870:Valiant Units of the Cold War 3706: 1459:. The crews normally served 3 1409:, which could still be used. 1396:Navigation and Bombing System 1103:independent nuclear deterrent 858:, RAF Waddington, Vulcan B.1A 834:, RAF Waddington, Vulcan B.1A 828:, RAF Waddington, Vulcan B.1A 469: 460:Mutual Defense Assistance Act 223: 187:Navigation and Bombing System 4518:Journal of Strategic Studies 4493:10.1080/01402390412331302775 4481:Journal of Strategic Studies 4338:Journal of Strategic Studies 3818:10.1080/01402390.2013.770736 3806:Journal of Strategic Studies 3777:Contemporary British History 3479:thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk 2027:, pp. 103–104, 109–110. 1016: 846:, RAF Honington, Victor B.1A 840:, RAF Honington, Victor B.1A 810:, RAF Cottesmore, Victor B.1 798:, RAF Cottesmore, Victor B.1 681:, RAF Wittering, Valiant B.1 675:, RAF Finningley, Vulcan B.1 669:, RAF Honington, Valiant B.1 633:, RAF Cottesmore, Victor B.1 209:. To support such missions, 108:, known collectively as the 7: 4592:Journal of Cold War Studies 4530:10.1080/1362369042000314538 4096:; Simmons, Michael (2008). 3789:10.1080/1361946042000303855 3752:. Oxford: Clarendon Press. 3475:"Vickers Valiant – History" 1734: 1644:convert VC-10s into tankers 1640:Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers 1506:The raids, at almost 6,800 870:, RAF Wittering, Victor B.2 864:, RAF Wittering, Victor B.2 822:, RAF Coningsby, Vulcan B.2 804:, RAF Coningsby, Vulcan B.2 760:Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire 487:paint and darkened roundels 337:Vice-Chief of the Air Staff 10: 5136: 4255:Navias, Martin S. (1991). 4203:Britain's Cold War Bombers 2598:Hubbard & Simmons 2008 2586:Hubbard & Simmons 2008 2574:Hubbard & Simmons 2008 1693:, with eight deploying to 1642:. Work was in progress to 1535:Withdrawal of the Valiants 1349:Turkish invasion of Cyprus 1248:. To replace Skybolt, the 1135:Secretary of State for Air 1000:dropped the first British 876:, RAF Scampton, Vulcan B.1 852:, RAF Scampton, Vulcan B.1 816:, RAF Scampton, Vulcan B.1 752:electronic countermeasures 349:Air Ministry specification 297:United States isolationism 197:as a deterrent during the 5034: 5013: 4993: 4964: 4953: 4928: 4912: 4893: 4882: 4862: 4845: 4834: 4784: 4753: 4731: 4705: 4694: 4685: 4350:10.1080/01402399508437584 4078:10.1080/03071848208523423 3691:. Vulcan to the Sky Trust 3689:"Vulcan to the Sky Trust" 1845:, pp. 23–24, 48, 57. 1242:electronic countermeasure 703:, RAF Marham, Valiant B.1 697:, RAF Marham, Valiant B.1 547:at RAF Wittering in May, 464:English Electric Canberra 456:Boeing B-29 Superfortress 287:merged with the American 102:Bomber Command Main Force 5014:Other cancelled projects 4567:10.1177/0022009407071626 4389:. London: Bantam Press. 4309:Rawlings, J D R (1985). 4123:Jackson, Robert (1981). 3868:Brookes, Andrew (2012). 3841:Brookes, Andrew (1982). 2555:. Royal Air Force Museum 2061:Gowing & Arnold 1974 1831:Gowing & Arnold 1974 1746: 1713:On 8 February 2007, the 1449:Indonesian Confrontation 539:at RAF Marham in March, 203:Black Buck bombing raids 4604:10.1162/jcws.2007.9.2.5 4452:Wynn, Humphrey (1997). 4412:Woolven, Robin (2012). 4228:Moore, Richard (2010). 4201:McLelland, Tim (2013). 4178:Lattimer-Needham, C. H. 4150:Jones, Jeffrey (2017). 3950:. London: John Murray. 1648:Lockheed C-130 Hercules 1383:Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 1147:surface-to-air missiles 1127:Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 740:Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 551:at RAF Marham in July, 325:operational requirement 305:High Explosive Research 133:surface-to-air missiles 4182:"Refuelling In Flight" 3918:Falklands: The Air War 3723:Britain and the H-bomb 3338:"Operation Black Buck" 2610:Arnold & Pyne 2001 2339:. UK National Archives 1670: 1626: 1560: 1482: 1335: 1284: 1182: 1061: 974:, South Australia for 959: 939: 888:Frederick Handley Page 578:, which was formed at 488: 387: 319:In November 1946, the 158:role from 1968, using 104:. The three models of 4430:10.3366/brw.2012.0037 4418:Britain and the World 4282:Proctor, Ian (2014). 4041:. London: Macmillan. 4020:. London: Macmillan. 3975:Avro Vulcan, Part One 3973:Darling, Kev (2007). 3748:Baylis, John (1995). 3447:Lattimer-Needham 1945 1657: 1624: 1558: 1480: 1333: 1294:Mark 28 nuclear bombs 1280: 1180: 1094:Mark 39 nuclear bombs 1052: 988:1957 New Year Honours 962:Special Valiant unit 945: 929: 916:Strategic Air Command 482: 381: 4920:Polaris A3T and A3TK 4180:(22 November 1945). 2817:, pp. 114, 210. 2740:, pp. 114, 256. 2646:Finn & Berg 2004 2254:, pp. 102, 132. 2157:on 11 December 2009. 1516:RAF Ascension Island 1496:Port Stanley Airport 1385:jet fighters and 30 1355:Conventional mission 1303:Cuban Missile Crisis 1299:Quick Reaction Alert 1188:Minister of Aviation 1082:Special Relationship 1070:Mark 5 nuclear bombs 449:Handley Page Halifax 185:system known as the 4723:Handley Page Victor 4619:Young, Ken (2016). 3620:, pp. 178–180. 3581:, pp. 210–211. 3549:, pp. 474–476. 3537:, pp. 168–169. 3449:, pp. 556–560. 3437:, pp. 163–165. 3386:, pp. 153–154. 3365:, pp. 101–103. 3315:, pp. 126–127. 3303:, pp. 363–365. 3288:, pp. 138–139. 3264:, pp. 442–443. 3240:, pp. 131–132. 3209:, pp. 129–130. 3194:, pp. 175–177. 3182:, pp. 163–165. 3141:, pp. 113–116. 3129:, pp. 350–351. 3117:, pp. 173–175. 3066:, pp. 363–367. 3054:, pp. 170–171. 3042:, pp. 148–149. 2994:, pp. 117–118. 2916:, pp. 197–199. 2901:, pp. 186–191. 2841:, pp. 494–500. 2805:, pp. 266–267. 2781:, pp. 213–214. 2764:, pp. 193–198. 2728:, pp. 264–265. 2713:, pp. 262–263. 2689:, pp. 978–980. 2636:, pp. 977–978. 2624:, pp. 158–160. 2612:, pp. 189–191. 2519:, pp. 170–173. 2459:, pp. 270–274. 2435:, pp. 119–120. 2242:, pp. ix, 177. 2182:, pp. 189–190. 2099:, pp. 101–102. 2063:, pp. 234–235. 2039:, pp. 108–109. 2015:, pp. 105–106. 2003:, pp. 103–104. 1833:, pp. 181–184. 1797:, pp. 108–111. 1433:Far East operations 1418:Cairo West Air Base 1391:early-warning radar 1366:Operation Musketeer 1163:Blue Streak missile 1155:Francis Gary Powers 596:No. 10 Squadron RAF 429:Handley-Page Victor 357:Armstrong Whitworth 311:on 3 October 1952. 309:Operation Hurricane 122:Handley Page Victor 76:Handley Page Victor 5099:Nuclear technology 5021:Blue Water missile 4188:. pp. 556–560 4033:Gowing, Margaret; 3630:Burden et al. 1986 3325:Burden et al. 1986 3301:Burden et al. 1986 2576:, pp. 61, 68. 2535:The London Gazette 1671: 1627: 1561: 1483: 1379:Egyptian Air Force 1336: 1285: 1183: 1105:came to the fore. 1062: 1059:RAF Museum Cosford 960: 956:RAF Museum Cosford 940: 765:Rolls-Royce Conway 756:tail-warning radar 543:at RAF Marham and 489: 388: 329:Ministry of Supply 164:nuclear submarines 141:Blue Steel missile 5044: 5043: 5009: 5008: 4949: 4948: 4941:Chevaline upgrade 4878: 4877: 4839:(1960, cancelled) 4830: 4829: 4630:978-0-7190-8675-5 4463:978-0-11-772833-2 4396:978-0-593-07126-7 4320:978-0-600-34990-7 4293:978-1-78383-189-0 4266:978-0-19-827754-5 4239:978-0-230-21775-1 4212:978-1-78155-052-6 4161:978-1-138-67493-6 4134:978-0-7110-1100-7 4107:978-1-84415-747-1 4048:978-0-333-15781-7 3984:978-1-84799-237-6 3957:978-0-7195-5225-0 3927:978-0-85368-842-6 3852:978-0-7106-0238-1 3759:978-0-19-828012-5 3732:978-0-230-59977-2 3410:, pp. 86–88. 3228:, pp. 72–73. 2955:, pp. 47–48. 2865:, pp. 88–90. 2483:, pp. 24–27. 2447:, pp. 24–25. 2423:, pp. 55–56. 2399:, pp. 11–12. 2372:, pp. 98–99. 2314:, pp. 80–83. 2302:, pp. 87–89. 2278:, pp. 85–87. 2123:, pp. 52–54. 2087:, pp. 73–74. 1991:, pp. 32–33. 1950:, pp. 50–53. 1938:, pp. 66–68. 1923:, pp. 56–66. 1908:, pp. 46–48. 1881:, pp. 44–45. 1869:, pp. 52–53. 1821:, pp. 94–95. 1785:, pp. 27–28. 1664:Operation Grapple 1592:aerial refuelling 1586:Aerial refuelling 1444:Malayan Emergency 1424:and eight in the 1407:Green Satin radar 1282:Avro Vulcan XH558 1256:, negotiated the 1044:RAF Boscombe Down 1006:Operation Grapple 976:Operation Buffalo 952:Operation Grapple 754:(ECM) equipment, 735:nuclear deterrent 729:Second generation 433:Air Chief Marshal 289:Manhattan Project 283:, which the 1943 195:Malay Archipelago 183:analogue computer 156:nuclear deterrent 16:(Redirected from 5127: 5097: 5096: 5095: 5085: 5084: 5083: 5073: 5072: 5061: 5060: 5059: 5052: 4984:-class submarine 4975:-class submarine 4965:launch platforms 4962: 4961: 4904:-class submarine 4891: 4890: 4843: 4842: 4703: 4702: 4671: 4664: 4657: 4648: 4647: 4642: 4615: 4586: 4549: 4512: 4475: 4448: 4446: 4444: 4408: 4378: 4361: 4332: 4305: 4278: 4251: 4224: 4197: 4195: 4193: 4173: 4146: 4119: 4094:Hubbard, Kenneth 4089: 4066:The RUSI Journal 4060: 4029: 4014:Gowing, Margaret 4009: 3988: 3969: 3939: 3912: 3891: 3879:978-1-84908753-7 3864: 3837: 3812:(6–7): 974–997. 3800: 3771: 3744: 3701: 3700: 3698: 3696: 3685: 3679: 3678: 3676: 3674: 3663: 3657: 3651: 3645: 3639: 3633: 3627: 3621: 3615: 3606: 3600: 3594: 3588: 3582: 3576: 3567: 3561: 3550: 3544: 3538: 3532: 3526: 3520: 3514: 3508: 3502: 3496: 3490: 3489: 3487: 3485: 3471: 3465: 3459: 3450: 3444: 3438: 3432: 3426: 3420: 3411: 3405: 3399: 3398:, p. 45–46. 3393: 3387: 3381: 3366: 3360: 3354: 3353: 3351: 3349: 3344:on 17 April 2017 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214 Squadron 695:No. 207 Squadron 685:No. 148 Squadron 679:No. 138 Squadron 673:No. 101 Squadron 584:No. 617 Squadron 576:No. 101 Squadron 549:No. 148 Squadron 541:No. 207 Squadron 537:No. 214 Squadron 521:No. 543 Squadron 517:No. 138 Squadron 485:anti-flash white 475:First generation 373:English Electric 285:Quebec Agreement 265:Tizard Committee 257:nuclear weaponry 205:during the 1982 154:taking over the 106:strategic bomber 72: 56: 40: 21: 5135: 5134: 5130: 5129: 5128: 5126: 5125: 5124: 5105: 5104: 5103: 5093: 5091: 5081: 5079: 5067: 5057: 5055: 5047: 5045: 5040: 5030: 5005: 4989: 4957: 4945: 4924: 4908: 4894:Launch platform 4886: 4874: 4858: 4838: 4826: 4780: 4749: 4727: 4713:Vickers Valiant 4698: 4690: 4681: 4675: 4645: 4631: 4464: 4442: 4440: 4397: 4321: 4294: 4267: 4240: 4213: 4191: 4189: 4186:Flight Magazine 4162: 4135: 4108: 4049: 3985: 3958: 3944:Cathcart, Brian 3928: 3897:The World Today 3880: 3853: 3760: 3733: 3719:Pyne, Katherine 3709: 3704: 3694: 3692: 3687: 3686: 3682: 3672: 3670: 3665: 3664: 3660: 3652: 3648: 3640: 3636: 3628: 3624: 3616: 3609: 3601: 3597: 3589: 3585: 3577: 3570: 3562: 3553: 3545: 3541: 3533: 3529: 3521: 3517: 3509: 3505: 3497: 3493: 3483: 3481: 3473: 3472: 3468: 3460: 3453: 3445: 3441: 3433: 3429: 3421: 3414: 3406: 3402: 3394: 3390: 3382: 3369: 3361: 3357: 3347: 3345: 3336: 3335: 3331: 3323: 3319: 3311: 3307: 3299: 3292: 3284: 3280: 3272: 3268: 3260: 3256: 3248: 3244: 3236: 3232: 3224: 3213: 3205: 3198: 3190: 3186: 3178: 3169: 3161: 3157: 3149: 3145: 3137: 3133: 3125: 3121: 3113: 3109: 3101: 3097: 3089: 3085: 3077: 3070: 3062: 3058: 3050: 3046: 3038: 3034: 3026: 3022: 3014: 3010: 3002: 2998: 2990: 2983: 2975: 2971: 2963: 2959: 2951: 2947: 2939: 2935: 2927: 2920: 2912: 2905: 2897: 2893: 2885: 2881: 2873: 2869: 2861: 2857: 2849: 2845: 2837: 2833: 2825: 2821: 2813: 2809: 2801: 2797: 2789: 2785: 2777: 2768: 2760: 2756: 2748: 2744: 2736: 2732: 2724: 2717: 2709: 2705: 2697: 2693: 2685: 2681: 2673: 2669: 2661: 2652: 2644: 2640: 2632: 2628: 2620: 2616: 2608: 2604: 2596: 2592: 2584: 2580: 2572: 2568: 2558: 2556: 2552: 2548: 2547: 2543: 2527: 2523: 2515: 2511: 2503: 2499: 2491: 2487: 2479: 2475: 2467: 2463: 2455: 2451: 2443: 2439: 2431: 2427: 2419: 2415: 2407: 2403: 2395: 2388: 2384:, pp. 8–9. 2380: 2376: 2368: 2364: 2356: 2352: 2342: 2340: 2335: 2334: 2330: 2322: 2318: 2310: 2306: 2298: 2294: 2286: 2282: 2274: 2270: 2262: 2258: 2250: 2246: 2238: 2234: 2226: 2222: 2214: 2210: 2202: 2198: 2190: 2186: 2178: 2174: 2166: 2162: 2149: 2148: 2139: 2131: 2127: 2119: 2115: 2107: 2103: 2095: 2091: 2083: 2079: 2071: 2067: 2059: 2055: 2047: 2043: 2035: 2031: 2023: 2019: 2011: 2007: 1999: 1995: 1987: 1978: 1970: 1966: 1958: 1954: 1946: 1942: 1934: 1927: 1919: 1912: 1904: 1897: 1889: 1885: 1877: 1873: 1865: 1861: 1853: 1849: 1841: 1837: 1829: 1825: 1817: 1813: 1809:, pp. 1–2. 1805: 1801: 1793: 1789: 1781: 1777: 1773:, pp. 1–2. 1769: 1765: 1757: 1753: 1749: 1737: 1723:Michael A. Fopp 1711: 1703:Operation Jural 1676:Panavia Tornado 1666:, preserved at 1660:Kenneth Hubbard 1632:Hawker Siddeley 1616:Solly Zuckerman 1588: 1553: 1546: 1537: 1501:Newark-on-Trent 1475: 1465: 1461: 1460: 1435: 1362: 1357: 1265:John F. Kennedy 1234:RAF West Freugh 1212: 1208: 1205: 1203: 1123: 1019: 998:Kenneth Hubbard 984:Air Force Cross 964:No. 1321 Flight 948:Kenneth Hubbard 936:Buffalo R3/Kite 932:No. 49 Squadron 924: 922:Nuclear testing 900: 898:Nuclear mission 879: 850:No. 83 Squadron 844:No. 57 Squadron 838:No. 55 Squadron 832:No. 50 Squadron 826:No. 44 Squadron 820:No. 35 Squadron 814:No. 27 Squadron 808:No. 15 Squadron 802:No. 12 Squadron 796:No. 10 Squadron 731: 726: 667:No. 90 Squadron 657:No. 83 Squadron 647:No. 49 Squadron 637:No. 18 Squadron 631:No. 15 Squadron 621:No. 10 Squadron 600:No. 57 Squadron 592:Dambuster Raids 572:No. 83 Squadron 557:No. 90 Squadron 545:No. 49 Squadron 491:When the first 477: 472: 441:Avro Manchester 421:Vickers Valiant 345:William Dickson 317: 230:Royal Air Force 226: 211:tanker aircraft 176:Panavia Tornado 114:Vickers Valiant 90:Royal Air Force 82: 81: 80: 79: 78: 73: 64: 63: 62: 57: 48: 47: 46: 44:Vickers Valiant 41: 28: 23: 22: 15: 12: 11: 5: 5133: 5123: 5122: 5117: 5102: 5101: 5089: 5087:United Kingdom 5077: 5065: 5042: 5041: 5035: 5032: 5031: 5029: 5028: 5023: 5017: 5015: 5011: 5010: 5007: 5006: 5004: 5003: 4997: 4995: 4991: 4990: 4988: 4987: 4978: 4977:(1994–present) 4968: 4966: 4959: 4958:(1994–present) 4951: 4950: 4947: 4946: 4944: 4943: 4938: 4932: 4930: 4926: 4925: 4923: 4922: 4916: 4914: 4910: 4909: 4907: 4906: 4897: 4895: 4888: 4880: 4879: 4876: 4875: 4873: 4872: 4866: 4864: 4860: 4859: 4857: 4856: 4849: 4847: 4840: 4832: 4831: 4828: 4827: 4825: 4824: 4819: 4814: 4809: 4804: 4799: 4794: 4792:Mk.1 atom bomb 4788: 4786: 4782: 4781: 4779: 4778: 4773: 4768: 4763: 4757: 4755: 4751: 4750: 4748: 4747: 4741: 4735: 4733: 4729: 4728: 4726: 4725: 4720: 4715: 4709: 4707: 4700: 4696:V bomber force 4692: 4691: 4686: 4683: 4682: 4679:United Kingdom 4674: 4673: 4666: 4659: 4651: 4644: 4643: 4629: 4616: 4587: 4561:(1): 117–136. 4550: 4524:(4): 614–635. 4513: 4476: 4462: 4449: 4424:(1): 116–126. 4409: 4395: 4383:White, Rowland 4379: 4362: 4344:(1): 198–236. 4333: 4319: 4306: 4292: 4279: 4265: 4252: 4238: 4225: 4211: 4198: 4174: 4160: 4147: 4133: 4120: 4106: 4090: 4061: 4047: 4030: 4010: 3989: 3983: 3970: 3956: 3940: 3926: 3913: 3903:(7): 293–298. 3892: 3878: 3865: 3851: 3838: 3801: 3772: 3758: 3745: 3731: 3710: 3708: 3705: 3703: 3702: 3680: 3658: 3656:, p. 213. 3654:McLelland 2013 3646: 3644:, p. 128. 3634: 3632:, p. 367. 3622: 3618:McLelland 2013 3607: 3605:, p. 212. 3603:McLelland 2013 3595: 3583: 3579:McLelland 2013 3568: 3551: 3539: 3527: 3525:, p. 165. 3515: 3513:, p. 142. 3503: 3501:, p. 166. 3491: 3466: 3464:, p. 141. 3451: 3439: 3427: 3412: 3400: 3388: 3367: 3363:McLelland 2013 3355: 3329: 3327:, p. 363. 3317: 3305: 3290: 3278: 3266: 3254: 3252:, p. 133. 3242: 3230: 3211: 3196: 3192:McLelland 2013 3184: 3167: 3165:, p. 630. 3155: 3153:, p. 293. 3143: 3131: 3119: 3115:McLelland 2013 3107: 3105:, p. 117. 3095: 3093:, p. 130. 3083: 3068: 3056: 3052:McLelland 2013 3044: 3032: 3030:, p. 218. 3020: 3018:, p. 626. 3008: 3006:, p. 156. 3004:McLelland 2013 2996: 2981: 2969: 2957: 2945: 2943:, p. 128. 2933: 2931:, p. 107. 2918: 2903: 2891: 2879: 2877:, p. 397. 2867: 2855: 2853:, p. 269. 2843: 2831: 2829:, p. 214. 2819: 2807: 2795: 2793:, p. 994. 2783: 2766: 2754: 2752:, p. 114. 2742: 2730: 2715: 2703: 2701:, p. 985. 2691: 2679: 2677:, p. 980. 2667: 2665:, p. 212. 2650: 2638: 2626: 2622:McLelland 2013 2614: 2602: 2600:, p. 167. 2590: 2588:, p. 157. 2578: 2566: 2541: 2521: 2509: 2497: 2495:, p. 598. 2485: 2473: 2471:, p. 275. 2461: 2449: 2437: 2425: 2413: 2411:, p. 276. 2401: 2386: 2374: 2362: 2360:, p. 107. 2358:McLelland 2013 2350: 2328: 2326:, p. 192. 2316: 2304: 2292: 2280: 2268: 2266:, p. 191. 2256: 2244: 2232: 2220: 2208: 2196: 2184: 2172: 2160: 2137: 2135:, p. 115. 2125: 2113: 2101: 2089: 2085:McLelland 2013 2077: 2075:, p. 180. 2065: 2053: 2041: 2029: 2017: 2005: 1993: 1976: 1964: 1952: 1940: 1936:McLelland 2013 1925: 1921:McLelland 2013 1910: 1895: 1891:McLelland 2013 1883: 1871: 1867:McLelland 2013 1859: 1847: 1835: 1823: 1811: 1799: 1787: 1775: 1763: 1750: 1748: 1745: 1744: 1743: 1736: 1733: 1710: 1707: 1682:, and then by 1587: 1584: 1566:Airborne Cigar 1564:transmitters, 1552: 1549: 1544: 1536: 1533: 1508:nautical miles 1474: 1471: 1434: 1431: 1387:Ilyushin Il-28 1361: 1358: 1356: 1353: 1250:Prime Minister 1122: 1119: 1078:Sputnik crisis 1068:Initially, 72 1018: 1015: 995:Wing Commander 923: 920: 899: 896: 878: 877: 871: 865: 859: 853: 847: 841: 835: 829: 823: 817: 811: 805: 799: 793: 786:No. 9 Squadron 782: 730: 727: 725: 724: 714: 704: 698: 692: 682: 676: 670: 664: 661:RAF Waddington 654: 644: 641:RAF Finningley 634: 628: 625:RAF Cottesmore 618: 611:No. 7 Squadron 607: 580:RAF Finningley 568:RAF Waddington 553:No. 7 Squadron 511:was formed at 501:William Penney 476: 473: 471: 468: 445:Short Stirling 369:Short Brothers 316: 313: 246:Avro Lancaster 238:piston-engined 234:Bomber Command 225: 222: 172:SEPECAT Jaguar 160:UGM-27 Polaris 74: 67: 66: 65: 58: 51: 50: 49: 42: 35: 34: 33: 32: 31: 26: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 5132: 5121: 5118: 5116: 5113: 5112: 5110: 5100: 5090: 5088: 5078: 5076: 5071: 5066: 5064: 5054: 5053: 5050: 5039: 5033: 5027: 5024: 5022: 5019: 5018: 5016: 5012: 5002: 5001:Trident II D5 4999: 4998: 4996: 4992: 4986:(replacement) 4985: 4983: 4979: 4976: 4974: 4970: 4969: 4967: 4963: 4960: 4956: 4952: 4942: 4939: 4937: 4934: 4933: 4931: 4927: 4921: 4918: 4917: 4915: 4911: 4905: 4903: 4899: 4898: 4896: 4892: 4889: 4885: 4881: 4871: 4868: 4867: 4865: 4861: 4855: 4854:RAF Spadeadam 4851: 4850: 4848: 4844: 4841: 4837: 4833: 4823: 4820: 4818: 4815: 4813: 4810: 4808: 4805: 4803: 4802:Orange Herald 4800: 4798: 4795: 4793: 4790: 4789: 4787: 4783: 4777: 4774: 4772: 4769: 4767: 4764: 4762: 4759: 4758: 4756: 4752: 4745: 4742: 4740: 4737: 4736: 4734: 4730: 4724: 4721: 4719: 4716: 4714: 4711: 4710: 4708: 4704: 4701: 4697: 4693: 4689: 4684: 4680: 4672: 4667: 4665: 4660: 4658: 4653: 4652: 4649: 4640: 4636: 4632: 4626: 4622: 4617: 4613: 4609: 4605: 4601: 4597: 4593: 4588: 4584: 4580: 4576: 4572: 4568: 4564: 4560: 4556: 4551: 4547: 4543: 4539: 4535: 4531: 4527: 4523: 4519: 4514: 4510: 4506: 4502: 4498: 4494: 4490: 4486: 4482: 4477: 4473: 4469: 4465: 4459: 4455: 4450: 4439: 4435: 4431: 4427: 4423: 4419: 4415: 4410: 4406: 4402: 4398: 4392: 4388: 4384: 4380: 4376: 4372: 4368: 4363: 4359: 4355: 4351: 4347: 4343: 4339: 4334: 4330: 4326: 4322: 4316: 4312: 4307: 4303: 4299: 4295: 4289: 4285: 4280: 4276: 4272: 4268: 4262: 4258: 4253: 4249: 4245: 4241: 4235: 4231: 4226: 4222: 4218: 4214: 4208: 4204: 4199: 4187: 4183: 4179: 4175: 4171: 4167: 4163: 4157: 4153: 4148: 4144: 4140: 4136: 4130: 4126: 4121: 4117: 4113: 4109: 4103: 4099: 4095: 4091: 4087: 4083: 4079: 4075: 4071: 4067: 4062: 4058: 4054: 4050: 4044: 4040: 4036: 4035:Arnold, Lorna 4031: 4027: 4023: 4019: 4015: 4011: 4007: 4003: 3999: 3995: 3990: 3986: 3980: 3976: 3971: 3967: 3963: 3959: 3953: 3949: 3945: 3941: 3937: 3933: 3929: 3923: 3919: 3914: 3910: 3906: 3902: 3898: 3893: 3889: 3885: 3881: 3875: 3871: 3866: 3862: 3858: 3854: 3848: 3844: 3839: 3835: 3831: 3827: 3823: 3819: 3815: 3811: 3807: 3802: 3798: 3794: 3790: 3786: 3782: 3778: 3773: 3769: 3765: 3761: 3755: 3751: 3746: 3742: 3738: 3734: 3728: 3724: 3720: 3716: 3715:Arnold, Lorna 3712: 3711: 3690: 3684: 3668: 3662: 3655: 3650: 3643: 3638: 3631: 3626: 3619: 3614: 3612: 3604: 3599: 3593:, p. 86. 3592: 3587: 3580: 3575: 3573: 3566:, p. 85. 3565: 3560: 3558: 3556: 3548: 3543: 3536: 3531: 3524: 3519: 3512: 3507: 3500: 3495: 3480: 3476: 3470: 3463: 3458: 3456: 3448: 3443: 3436: 3431: 3425:, p. 89. 3424: 3419: 3417: 3409: 3404: 3397: 3392: 3385: 3380: 3378: 3376: 3374: 3372: 3364: 3359: 3343: 3339: 3333: 3326: 3321: 3314: 3309: 3302: 3297: 3295: 3287: 3282: 3276:, p. 95. 3275: 3270: 3263: 3258: 3251: 3246: 3239: 3234: 3227: 3222: 3220: 3218: 3216: 3208: 3203: 3201: 3193: 3188: 3181: 3176: 3174: 3172: 3164: 3159: 3152: 3147: 3140: 3135: 3128: 3123: 3116: 3111: 3104: 3099: 3092: 3087: 3081:, p. 35. 3080: 3075: 3073: 3065: 3060: 3053: 3048: 3041: 3036: 3029: 3024: 3017: 3012: 3005: 3000: 2993: 2988: 2986: 2979:, p. 72. 2978: 2973: 2967:, p. 27. 2966: 2965:Harrison 1982 2961: 2954: 2949: 2942: 2937: 2930: 2925: 2923: 2915: 2910: 2908: 2900: 2895: 2889:, p. 48. 2888: 2883: 2876: 2871: 2864: 2859: 2852: 2847: 2840: 2835: 2828: 2823: 2816: 2811: 2804: 2799: 2792: 2787: 2780: 2775: 2773: 2771: 2763: 2758: 2751: 2746: 2739: 2734: 2727: 2722: 2720: 2712: 2707: 2700: 2695: 2688: 2683: 2676: 2671: 2664: 2659: 2657: 2655: 2648:, p. 55. 2647: 2642: 2635: 2630: 2623: 2618: 2611: 2606: 2599: 2594: 2587: 2582: 2575: 2570: 2551: 2545: 2537: 2536: 2531: 2525: 2518: 2513: 2507:, p. 74. 2506: 2501: 2494: 2489: 2482: 2477: 2470: 2465: 2458: 2453: 2446: 2441: 2434: 2429: 2422: 2417: 2410: 2405: 2398: 2393: 2391: 2383: 2378: 2371: 2366: 2359: 2354: 2338: 2332: 2325: 2324:Rawlings 1985 2320: 2313: 2308: 2301: 2296: 2290:, p. 58. 2289: 2284: 2277: 2272: 2265: 2264:Rawlings 1985 2260: 2253: 2248: 2241: 2236: 2230:, p. 79. 2229: 2224: 2218:, p. 54. 2217: 2212: 2206:, p. 51. 2205: 2200: 2194:, p. 24. 2193: 2188: 2181: 2180:Rawlings 1985 2176: 2170:, p. 19. 2169: 2164: 2156: 2152: 2146: 2144: 2142: 2134: 2129: 2122: 2117: 2111:, p. 39. 2110: 2105: 2098: 2093: 2086: 2081: 2074: 2069: 2062: 2057: 2051:, p. 92. 2050: 2045: 2038: 2033: 2026: 2021: 2014: 2009: 2002: 1997: 1990: 1985: 1983: 1981: 1974:, p. 67. 1973: 1968: 1962:, p. 56. 1961: 1956: 1949: 1944: 1937: 1932: 1930: 1922: 1917: 1915: 1907: 1902: 1900: 1893:, p. 54. 1892: 1887: 1880: 1875: 1868: 1863: 1857:, p. 25. 1856: 1851: 1844: 1843:Cathcart 1995 1839: 1832: 1827: 1820: 1815: 1808: 1803: 1796: 1791: 1784: 1779: 1772: 1767: 1761:, p. 14. 1760: 1755: 1751: 1742: 1739: 1738: 1732: 1730: 1726: 1724: 1720: 1716: 1706: 1704: 1700: 1696: 1692: 1687: 1685: 1681: 1677: 1669: 1665: 1661: 1656: 1652: 1649: 1645: 1641: 1635: 1633: 1623: 1619: 1617: 1613: 1608: 1606: 1601: 1597: 1593: 1583: 1580: 1575: 1571: 1567: 1557: 1548: 1543: 1532: 1530: 1525: 1521: 1517: 1513: 1510:(12,600 1509: 1504: 1502: 1497: 1493: 1489: 1479: 1473:Falklands War 1470: 1458: 1454: 1450: 1445: 1440: 1430: 1427: 1423: 1419: 1415: 1410: 1408: 1404: 1401: 1397: 1392: 1388: 1384: 1380: 1376: 1371: 1367: 1352: 1350: 1346: 1342: 1332: 1328: 1326: 1325:Fleet Air Arm 1322: 1317: 1312: 1306: 1304: 1300: 1295: 1290: 1283: 1279: 1275: 1273: 1270: 1266: 1263: 1259: 1255: 1251: 1247: 1246:Falklands War 1243: 1240: 1235: 1230: 1226: 1222: 1217: 1201: 1197: 1193: 1192:Duncan Sandys 1189: 1179: 1175: 1173: 1169: 1164: 1160: 1156: 1152: 1148: 1145: 1140: 1136: 1132: 1128: 1118: 1115: 1111: 1106: 1104: 1099: 1095: 1091: 1087: 1083: 1079: 1075: 1071: 1066: 1060: 1056: 1051: 1047: 1045: 1041: 1037: 1033: 1029: 1025: 1014: 1011: 1010:thermonuclear 1007: 1003: 1002:hydrogen bomb 999: 996: 991: 989: 985: 981: 980:Edwin Flavell 977: 973: 968: 965: 957: 953: 949: 944: 937: 933: 928: 919: 917: 912: 908: 906: 895: 893: 889: 885: 875: 872: 869: 866: 863: 860: 857: 854: 851: 848: 845: 842: 839: 836: 833: 830: 827: 824: 821: 818: 815: 812: 809: 806: 803: 800: 797: 794: 791: 790:RAF Coningsby 787: 784: 783: 781: 778: 775: 771: 766: 761: 757: 753: 748: 746: 741: 736: 722: 718: 715: 713:, Valiant B.1 712: 708: 705: 702: 699: 696: 693: 691:, Valiant B.1 690: 686: 683: 680: 677: 674: 671: 668: 665: 662: 658: 655: 653:, Valiant B.1 652: 651:RAF Wittering 648: 645: 643:, Valiant B.1 642: 638: 635: 632: 629: 626: 622: 619: 617:, Valiant B.1 616: 615:RAF Honington 612: 609: 608: 606: 603: 601: 597: 593: 589: 585: 581: 577: 573: 569: 565: 560: 558: 554: 550: 546: 542: 538: 534: 533:RAF Honington 530: 526: 522: 518: 514: 510: 505: 502: 498: 497:RAF Wittering 494: 486: 481: 467: 465: 461: 457: 452: 450: 446: 442: 438: 434: 430: 426: 422: 417: 414: 409: 407: 406:Short Sperrin 401: 398: 397:crescent wing 394: 385: 380: 376: 374: 370: 366: 362: 358: 354: 350: 346: 342: 338: 333: 330: 326: 322: 312: 310: 306: 302: 298: 294: 290: 286: 282: 277: 274: 269: 266: 262: 258: 253: 251: 247: 243: 239: 235: 231: 221: 219: 218:metal fatigue 214: 212: 208: 207:Falklands War 204: 200: 196: 192: 188: 184: 179: 177: 173: 169: 168:tactical role 165: 161: 157: 153: 149: 146: 142: 138: 134: 130: 125: 123: 119: 115: 111: 107: 103: 99: 95: 91: 87: 77: 71: 61: 55: 45: 39: 30: 19: 5036:part of the 4981: 4972: 4901: 4807:Green Bamboo 4754:bomb casings 4695: 4620: 4595: 4591: 4558: 4554: 4521: 4517: 4487:(3): 56–86. 4484: 4480: 4453: 4441:. 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4902:Resolution 4771:Yellow Sun 4739:Blue Steel 4387:Vulcan 607 4170:1005663721 3707:References 3313:White 2012 3151:Brown 1964 3139:Moore 2010 3040:White 2012 3028:Roman 1995 3016:Young 2004 2977:Young 2002 2953:Moore 2010 2929:Moore 2010 2887:Moore 2010 2827:Moore 2010 2815:Moore 2010 2779:Young 2016 2750:Moore 2010 2738:Moore 2010 2699:Bronk 2014 2687:Bronk 2014 2675:Bronk 2014 2663:Young 2016 2634:Bronk 2014 1855:Jones 2017 1807:Jones 2017 1520:logistical 1492:Black Buck 1453:RAF Tengah 1439:RAF Changi 1426:Suez Canal 1422:Nile Delta 1321:Royal Navy 1239:AN/ALQ-101 1172:Blue Steel 1055:Yellow Sun 1053:A British 1040:Yellow Sun 905:deterrence 894:airliner. 689:RAF Marham 529:RAF Marham 513:RAF Gaydon 470:In service 413:swept wing 393:delta wing 323:issued an 224:Background 152:Royal Navy 137:S-75 Dvina 5120:V bombers 4766:Red Beard 4639:942707047 4583:159815831 4546:154238545 4538:0140-2390 4509:154124838 4501:0140-2390 4438:2043-8575 4405:941503520 4375:936684331 4358:0140-2390 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135:like the 86:V bombers 5075:Politics 5063:Aviation 4973:Vanguard 4929:warheads 4913:missiles 4863:warheads 4817:Red Snow 4785:warheads 4732:missiles 4706:Aircraft 4688:Timeline 4612:57563082 4575:30036432 4472:39225127 4385:(2012). 4275:22506593 4037:(1974). 4016:(1964). 3966:31241690 3946:(1995). 3909:40393629 3721:(2001). 1735:See also 1695:Muharraq 1691:Gulf War 1375:RAF Luqa 1225:Red Snow 1202:time to 1200:scramble 1159:Avro 730 1129:, which 466:bomber. 427:and the 384:Avro 707 273:missiles 18:V-bomber 5049:Portals 4994:missile 4955:Trident 4884:Polaris 4870:Ulysses 4744:Skybolt 4443:21 July 4192:25 June 4026:3195209 2343:22 July 1662:during 1570:jammers 1464:⁄ 1311:Woomera 1269:Polaris 1229:Cabinet 1221:Skybolt 1211:⁄ 1090:Mark 15 986:in the 958:in 2006 950:during 365:Bristol 145:Skybolt 110:V class 98:V force 4936:ET.317 4822:WE.177 4776:WE.177 4637: 4627: 4610: 4581: 4573: 4544: 4536: 4507: 4499: 4470: 4460: 4436: 4403: 4393: 4373: 4356: 4327: 4317: 4300: 4290: 4273: 4263: 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