Vulcans for Sweden, early 1970s?

The vulcan seems like an odd choice for argentina and sweden, with its range its a game changing weapon, for Aus it makes more sense, with the ranges needed. Would have been a very odd buy for sweden as mentioned as an electronics platform there would be many better airframes, and I would have thought having an ex-nuclear bomber in ur air force would be a escalation in threat to other nations, very much against swedens policies

Just prior to the Falklands War a group of senior Argentine officials visited St Athan to look at the Vulcans there most of were is ‘Still as flown in’ condition with a view to purchasing some plus spares. As we all know subsequent events put paid to that idea.

Cheers
Mad Jock

V-Craft Export Notions.

Just found this: UK should “support (France) in their (sceptical) attitude towards NATO (doubting that US would bet New York if USSR made an iron thrust to the Rhine), give them the Bomb, perhaps some V-bombers, and generally support the idea of a confederation of Europe instead of a Federation”: C.Williams,H.Macmillan, Weidenfeld, 09, P.375

This could have been untutored politico cackle; PM might have forgotten that his Yellow Sun Mk.1 had no military utility, or that “British” replacement Yellow Sun Mk.2 (aka Mk.28IN) was not his to “give”. However, if this quote, of July,1960 did actually reflect staff work, these are the relevant dates:
From early-1960: 101/617 Sqdns. Vulcan B.1 and 10/15 Sqdns. Victor B.1 were building operational capability on Yellow Sun Mk.1, as Interim weapon to be withdrawn asap (in fact by early-1963) for Vulcan B.2/Yellow Sun Mk.2 (in fact from July,1961);
on 20 June,1960 for 72 Vulcan B.2 he had ordered 144 Skybolt, which, he was briefed, Victor B.2 could not carry, so some were being cancelled and 8 redefined as SR.2; 16 intended for brief Blue Steel deployment would be surplus after Skybolt arrived.

So 16 Yellow Sun Mk.1/Victor B.1 could have been passed to France from late-1961, to be rolled over c.1965 for 16 Yellow Sun Mk.1/Victor B.2. Mac tried hard for UK entry to EEC, applying on 9 August,1961.

Given any hint of Victors, De Gaulle might have noted the SA-2/CIA U-2 event of 1/5/60, above the minimum release height of YS.1 and at/above Victor B.1 ceiling. He had already funded HI-LO-HI Mirage IV/AN-11 fission weapon (deployed 1/10/64). He uttered his UK-in-EEC “Non” 14/1/63 and on 3/12/64 funded TN-80/81 300KT fusion weapon.

The only other prospect that I know incurred some effort was (c.)1962, SAAF. Simonstown naval base was then of significance in UK Trade/Foreign policy, and was seen as target for USSR and/or China from some nearby client. MoD scratched around the Mark 1 fleet to see if a half-squadron could be resurrected from trials/school/store. Outcome was the Bucc sale. Iron stores only.

IIRC There were serials reserved for a batch of SAAF Victors

Found it

http://www.neam.co.uk/vulcan.html

1981 Argentina made enquries about buying Vulcans to replace Canberras.

interesting – there is a great piece in the last IAPR about Lancasters and Lincolns in Argentinian service.

There was indeed an exploration of loan to Oz as F-111C bridge, 1967-ish: politically, UK:Oz:US were then as one in seeing China as Threat; all 3 Forces’ F-111s would have inter-operated, so the nuclear proliferation issue could have been defused.

The only other prospect that I know incurred some effort was (c.)1962, SAAF. Simonstown naval base was then of significance in UK Trade/Foreign policy, and was seen as target for USSR and/or China from some nearby client. MoD scratched around the Mark 1 fleet to see if a half-squadron could be resurrected from trials/school/store. Outcome was the Bucc sale. Iron stores only.

can’t see the Swedish buying what is an out and out offensive platform, even for electronic warefare, lots of easier airframes to cram black boxes in?

I did read somewhere about Argentina looking at a mid to late 70’s purchase of ex RAF Vulcans? will have a dig around and see if I can find it….

The RAAF seriously looked at the Vulcan to supplement our Canberra fleet…

Cost and suport for a smal number apparantly ruled them out.

We also looked at the B-47 and carried out trials here with them.

Fascinating. Don’t know whether any of the Vulcan books have anything about proposed/hoped for foreign sales but would make a great magazine article.

Roger Smith.