I've noticed that over the years I've been here that there is a large number of folks with an interest in the older aircraft in service with our sundry fleets. I'd like to show you one of the RAF's most beautiful and yet strange-looking of the three so-called V bombers of the 50s, 60' and 70s - the Handley-Page Victor.
All three different aircraft, from three builders, had names beginning with the letter 'V' - the other two, the Vulcan, AKA the flying triangle and the Valiant, were going to carry UK's nuclear arsenal to the enemy. Only recently has the sole flying Vulcan stopped flying, when its CoAW ran out, kept flying by volunteers.
So here is a clip of 'the girl', 'Teasin' Tina', a much-loved taxying-only example of a bomber that looks like something straight out of'Star Wars' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6uAdPcJXhk
Growing up I had never heard of the Vulcan bomber until I received a model of one for a christmas present.
After that I was fascinated and started a deep dive which led to the Gloster Meteor, etc..
I had always studied planes such as JU87, P47, A1E skyraider, BF110 and bombers such as the B17, B24, B26, etc.. and of course the P61
November 25, 2024, 12:49 PM
bigpond73
Thanks for sharing tac! I enjoyed those videos.
Mike
You can run, but you cannot hide.
If you won't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them.
November 25, 2024, 01:23 PM
Pipe Smoker
Thanks for the interesting clip. You say “I'd like to show you one of the RAF's most beautiful and yet strange-looking of the three so-called V bombers of the 50s, 60' and 70s - the Handley-Page Victor.” I certainly agree with the “strange-looking” part!
Don’t argue with fools.
November 25, 2024, 01:39 PM
JoseyWales2
The British had a lot of strange looking aircraft in the post war period. The Victor is far from the only one. The Blackburn Buccaneer, Hawker Siddeley Nimrod and Harrier, English Electric Lightning to name just a few.
Still in spite of how strange they look, and how strange some of the names are (I'm looking at you Nimrod), they still held a certain amount of attractiveness.
---------------------------------- "These things you say we will have, we already have." "That's true. I ain't promising you nothing extra."
November 25, 2024, 02:15 PM
YooperSigs
If you can find it, there is a great documentary on the main British bomber of WWII: Lancaster. Above and Beyond. Beautifully filmed. And the night bombing campaign by the RAF during WWII cost 55K in lives lost.
Originally posted by tacfoley: Only recently has the sole flying Vulcan stopped flying, when its CoAW ran out, kept flying by volunteers.
CoAW? Certificate of AirWorthiness?
Hmmmm. I guess that’s another thing the CAA does differently than the FAA. In general, a Certificate of Airworthiness issued by the FAA has no time limit. As long as the aircraft has a current annual inspection sign off (or is current on condition inspections if it is on a progressive inspection program) there is no time limit on the airworthiness certificate. For that matter, with light airplanes at least, they can be “out of annual” for a period of time (even years) and while they are not considered airworthy during that time, once they have a completed annual inspection signed of they are once again airworthy. No change or update to the Certificate of Airworthiness is needed.
The one that comes to my mind is the B-58 Hustler.
November 25, 2024, 08:11 PM
rduckwor
What an incredible aircraft. They all looked like they belonged in Star Wars. Loved them all. RMDThis message has been edited. Last edited by: rduckwor, November 26, 2024 07:52 AM
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November 25, 2024, 08:23 PM
egregore
quote:
Actually, I can’t think of ANY bomber that I consider to be beautiful …
