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December 24th was the anniversary of the Handley Page Victors first flight in 1952. During Christmas 2011 the Vulcan to the Sky web site listed 10 clips of the aircraft flying and got their members to vote for the best one. - I never did find out which clip "won".
Handley Page Victor, December 24th is the
anniversary of the first flight of a jet-age icon in 1952. On Christmas Eve 1952, the futuristic Handley Page Victor, the third of Britain’s V-Force nuclear deterrent aircraft, soared into the air for the first time. Its innovative crescent-shaped wing allowed the Victor to cruise close to the speed of sound and to break through the sound barrier in a shallow dive, making it the fastest large aircraft until Concorde. The first Victors were delivered to RAF Gaydon, now home to the Heritage Motor Centre, Jaguar Land Rover and Aston Martin, in 1957 and the type remained in service until October 1993, an incredible 41 years supporting the defence of the United Kingdom and its NATO allies. The first Victor prototype was built at Handley Page’s factory in Radlett but was too large to take off from the company’s runway, so was taken apart and transported by road to RAF Boscombe Down. The top-secret load was disguised as a boat hull, hidden under tarpaulins marked GELEYPANDHY / SOUTHAMPTON - Geleypandhy being an anagram of Handley Page corrupted by a sign-writer’s error. The passage of the massive aircraft can’t have been particularly inconspicuous as it was proceeded by government-authorised bulldozers that widened the road and scraped new paths around obstacles. Although designed to carry Britain’s nuclear deterrent, the Victor is best known for its role as an air-to-air refuelling tanker during the 1982 Falklands conflict. Eleven aircraft in a carefully choreographed routine refuelled the solo attacking Vulcan for the world-record 8,000 mile sortie, allowing Vulcan XM607 to release its bombs over the Port Stanley airfield runway and initiate the campaign that led to the recapture of the Islands. Today there is only one V-Force aircraft left flying from over 300 aircraft manufactured, Avro Vulcan XH558 which is operated by charity Vulcan to the Sky Trust. CEO Dr. Robert Pleming says the V-Force, and the Vulcan and Victor in particular, symbolise a remarkable era in British technical achievement and politics. “These jet aircraft were direct replacements for the piston-engined Avro Lancaster and Lincoln – an incredible leap forward that has never been repeated,” he explains. “We are very fortunate to have two Victors still thrilling crowds with fast taxi demonstrations - there are none capable of flight - and one Vulcan left able still to take to the air, a powerful reminder of the imagination and courage of the British engineers and service personnel who designed and operated these inspirational aircraft.” Vulcan to the Sky Trust must raise £110,000 by the end of January to ensure that XH558 returns to the skies in 2012, the Diamond Jubilee year for both the Victor and the Vulcan, and the 30th anniversary of the Falklands mission. It is hoped that, funds allowing, the last flying Vulcan will pay tribute to all those involved in these remarkable stories. You can help her take-off again in 2012 by visiting our Winter Service components here and choosing one of the critical technical systems to sponsor during her winter service. Sponsors will receive a certificate and will have their names recorded on a special plaque on the famous bomb-bay doors. Throughout the season, XH558 will carry a Book of Good Wishes to celebrate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee. Names and messages can be added to the book, which will be presented at Buckingham Palace, by visiting www.vulcansalute.org . |
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