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

A more detailed look is here, with former crew members.......... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s8rmvDWTSo

Very nice, a cool looking plane

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

Thanks for sharing tac! I enjoyed those videos.

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!

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.

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.

Actually, I can’t think of ANY bomber that I consider to be beautiful, except for the failed XB-70 Valkyrie.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wik...rican_XB-70_Valkyrie

quote:

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.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
Actually, I can’t think of ANY bomber that I consider to be beautiful, except for the failed XB-70 Valkyrie.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wik...rican_XB-70_Valkyrie

The B1 is pretty sexy...

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
Actually, I can’t think of ANY bomber that I consider to be beautiful, except for the failed XB-70 Valkyrie.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wik...rican_XB-70_Valkyrie

I know it's not possible but it would be great to see the takeoff of an XB-70. She is a beautiful aircraft, second only to the SR-71.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
Actually, I can’t think of ANY bomber that I consider to be beautiful, except for the failed XB-70 Valkyrie.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wik...rican_XB-70_Valkyrie

The one that comes to my mind is the B-58 Hustler.

What an incredible aircraft. They all looked like they belonged in Star Wars. Loved them all. RMD

This message has been edited. Last edited by: rduckwor, November 26, 2024 07:52 AM

quote:

Actually, I can’t think of ANY bomber that I consider to be beautiful …

The Boeing B-47 Stratojet was pretty sleek, I thought.

The Victor is a magnificent aircraft! Sleek, powerful, futuristic. The Brits built some incredible bombers.

I like the Vulcan the best (the sound!), and the story of the bombing mission to the Falklands is fascinating.

quote:

Originally posted by Lunasee:

The one that comes to my mind is the B-58 Hustler.

Agreed! Stone cold sexy bird

The B-17 is a beauty, too.

I remember the Vulcan from Thunderball.
BTW one of the most beautiful jet fighters was the Hawker Hunter.

Saw the Vulcan at Keflavik NAS Iceland in the early 70s.
Saw the Victor at Bitburg AB West Germany (I said WEST Germany!!!) 10 years later.

Both were impressive and most awesome.