AVRo Vulcan and LGB's?

no TFR fitted on that photo

Looks to me in the top picture that the Vulcan has had its TFR removed or is it the photo.

As I’m the afore-mentioned author, I should tell you that the reason for the confusing gear door images is that one of the photos was unintentionally reversed. It’s a long time ago now, but I seem to recall that the rear cover shot (similar to the top photo here) was used as supplied (it was a print from RAF Waddington), but when I subsequently looked at it more carefully to try and establish which aircraft it actually was, I realised that it didn’t match the camouflage positions of any of the Black Buck aircraft. However when it was reversed it did. As you say, it was XM597 that flew the LGBs.

The Vulcan is XM597 and that image was taken at Waddington (if I can remember); there is a similar photo of its weapons line up that appears on the back cover of Tim Laming’s book The Vulcan Story (I have a copy somewhere, but I’m not at home at the moment). The bomb bay shot is also ‘597 I think. There’s one that exists of the Martel on a makeshift wing pylon taken at the same time. I think the pics were taken in support of weapons trials for Black Buck. Of course, the smart bombs were not used in anger, nor were the Martels; their electronics didn’t like the long time in the air at height. XM597 flew the anti-radar ops during Black Buck with the Shrikes and landed in Rio because its fuel probe broke, but also did the weapons trials for the type’s involvement before it flew out to Ascension Is. Most of the weapons trials were done at Aberporth.

XM597 was also the last Vulcan to be fitted out on the production line for carriage of Blue Steel and the first with the Sky Bolt mods, which enabled her to be selected for Black Buck in the first instance. She was also the first Vulcan fitted with the fin tip radar warning receivers. She survives in Scotland at East Fortune.

Just something else I noticed about the image; note the position of the port u/carriage door, canted inwards a bit. In the pic on the back of Laming’s book, the right u/carriage door is doing the same thing, but not the left.

From the little info I can find on the web, it appears as if a laser designator was fitted, which pointed through the bomb aimers window position.

I can’t remember seeing much info on this, but I seem to recall trials were over Jurby. But I can’t recall anything about guidance. Might well have been just unguided drops?

If they carried out trials I’d assume they would have used Buccs or ground stations. 208 sqn?

Self spiking. Laser pod mounted on former sky bolt mounts

I don’t think there is any evidence of a designator pod having ever been carried by this or any other Vulcan

Every time I see that photo I mean to ask. When you look at the forward fins on the front of the LGB did the two at the sides actually catch the internal sides of the bomb bay or did they fall free care of gravity?

It just looks like the may catch being that close to the sides.

Tim S

Self spiking. Laser pod mounted on former sky bolt mounts

Yep cannot see why not, u need another aircraft or a man on the ground to spike for them.

http://www.pocketmags.com/viewmagazine.aspx?catid=1030&category=Aviation+%26+Transport&subcatid=188&subcategory=Aviation&title=Aeroplane+Icons&titleid=1681&issueid=81459

Thank you! I’ve found that same photo some minutes ago!!:highly_amused::highly_amused:

1Saludo

http://www.pocketmags.com/viewmagazine.aspx?catid=1030&category=Aviation+%26+Transport&subcatid=188&subcategory=Aviation&title=Aeroplane+Icons&titleid=1681&issueid=81459

Paveways. Not pylon mounted. They were carried in the bomb bay. I believe trials were done on the Jurby range

Look like Paveways to me. Shrike ARMs on the LH side of the pic, so presumably dates from 1982.

Though I haven’t seen any photos of the Paveway fit, I’d assume they would be pylon-mounted as were the Shrikes.