I’m staggered this wasn’t mentioned here yesterday,
The prototype Avro 698 made its maiden flight 60 years ago yesterday, when ‘Roly’ Falk flew VX770 for the first time from Woodford on the 30th August 1952.
The pure delta 698 would be named Vulcan in October ’52, and through various engine upgrades, from the original 6,500 Ib RR Avons, and the AS Sapphire, and eventually the 20,000Ib BS Olympus in the B.2, became a hugely capable nuclear and conventional bomber.
I’ve seen very little about this significant anniversary, were there any special events marking it?
By: Arabella-Cox - 31st August 2012 at 22:56
Vulcan
I still can’t come to terms with what was an incredibly bold step to design, build and put into production such a departure from conventional aeronautical design.
I can only imagine the awe which the enthusiasts and commentators of the time can have felt seeing such machines (including the wonderful Victor), after having been used to Lancasters, Spitfires and other piston types owning the skies for so many years.
The Americans did some great things but we really did rule the skies way back then.
Thinking about it, it’s the Phantom’s sixtieth in six years. It still looks (to me) mind-blowing – but then, I’m biased;)
Anon.
By: Derekf - 31st August 2012 at 22:50
Exactly, I even wondered if I had the date wrong!
At the very least I would think that XH558 would have done a fly through at Woodford, and even Scampton, Coningsby, Cottesmore, and Waddington.
After all, isn’t that one of the reasons it flys, to commemorate the engineering skills that created it, and the service use of the type?
Not much point in flying over Woodford anymore. Not much left there now.
By: pagen01 - 31st August 2012 at 22:43
I can’t imagine what an incredible sight this must have been at the time,
By: TwinOtter23 - 31st August 2012 at 12:39
No problem – these were originally scanned up for the 2010 Farnborough Programme, which was produced by Key Publishing. 🙂
The original TIFFs gave slightly better image quality, but not bad when you consider the small size of the original black and white prints.
I believe that they (i.e. NAM) may be dipping into the Archive again very soon – this time looking for some old Lightning photos! 😉
By: pagen01 - 31st August 2012 at 12:12
Excellent pictures T/O, especially of the prototype.:)
By: TwinOtter23 - 31st August 2012 at 11:02
Like many I’d missed the anniversary – so I’ve arranged for an album of images from the N Franklin Collection in the Newark Air Museum Photographic Archive to be uploaded in here to mark the event. It features VX770 and friends at Farnborough and whilst they have been online before I thought it may help mark the anniversary! 🙂
By: skudupnorth - 31st August 2012 at 10:05
Exactly, I even wondered if I had the date wrong!
At the very least I would think that XH558 would have done a fly through at Woodford, and even Scampton, Coningsby, Cottesmore, and Waddington.
After all, isn’t that one of the reasons it flys, to commemorate the engineering skills that created it, and the service use of the type?
Sadly the only rumble we had over Manchester yesterday was thunder followed by lots of rain !
By: pagen01 - 31st August 2012 at 09:38
Exactly, I even wondered if I had the date wrong!
At the very least I would think that XH558 would have done a fly through at Woodford, and even Scampton, Coningsby, Cottesmore, and Waddington.
After all, isn’t that one of the reasons it flys, to commemorate the engineering skills that created it, and the service use of the type?
By: skudupnorth - 31st August 2012 at 08:59
Its a real shame nothing has been mentioned or any event to celerbrate the first flight.
Is there no planned flights from XH558 for the occasion ?
Happy Birthday Vulcan !!!
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August 31, 2012 at 8:33 am