IIRC The Victors’s shape is in part due to the then current thinking that to perfom effectively at transonic speeds the cross sectional area of an aircraft had to fit a certain pattern when plotte dona graph – hence the practice became known as following the “Area Rule”. The Buccaneer followed similar fashion, hence it’s distinctly “nipped in” waist half way down the fuselage.

I think the “carrots” on the trailing edge of the Victor wing were also designed tand located so as to help “adjust” tte cross sectional area thus aiding conformance with the area ruling practice.

Of course, I may be totally mistaken…in which case we will soon find out.

Paul F

The Victor was “area ruled” when the mk2’s were built (prototype not included). Indeed the Whitcomb pods or window boxes as they were called by the ground crew were there to give more body in the mid section. The shape of the nose had more to do with the NBS (updated H2S) radar fitted under the cabin floor.
The mk1’s were never retrofitted with the pods.

Compare the early US refueling technique for converted WW2 bombers (B-29/50 and KB-29s:

“The first nonstop around-the-world flight was accomplished by B-50A-5-BO (S/N 46-010) “Lucky Lady II” assigned to the 43rd Bomb Group. The flight which lasted from Feb. 26 to March 2, 1949, took 94 hours, 1 minute to complete.

About two-thirds of the B-50As were modified as receiver aircraft for an in-flight refueling technique developed by the British. The fuel delivery aircraft (KB-29M) would fly above and forward of the receiver aircraft (B-50A) and unreel a long refueling hose. The crew of the B-50A would extend an apparatus from the belly of the aircraft designed to snag the refueling hose trailing behind the KB-50M. Once the fuel hose was captured, it was pulled into the bomb bay of the B-50A where the crew connected it to the refueling manifold. Once the fuel transfer was complete, the hose was released and the KB-29M reeled it back in.”

The looped hose system developed by Flight Refuelling Limited. It was superceded by the probe and drogue system in the (very) late 40’s.

One-way trips – makes a difference. Apparently they used 4 Victors per Harrier (source: http://www.raf.mod.uk/falklands/1sqn_5.html ),

Hmm, not been that far in the MOD site, must have a look some time. Harriers have always had a problem with range.

Inhalng a boatload of fuel would quench the ignitors and cause the engine to flame out.

John.

I think you’ll find that the igniters will operate the moment the engine runs down. They are not working during normal running.

I’ve got a general in air refuelling question. Does a plane, when it gets refuelled, fill out all its tanks, including for example conformal ones on f16s and f15s and perhaps even external drop tanks? Or is it limited to original internal fuel tank volume?

In my own general experience it would depend on the mission. However, most receivers can fill up all the tanks they have on board. The IFR probe or receptacle are usually tapped into the main gallery.

Mk 17b HDU (HP Victor) about 4,000lb/min

According to British Military Aircraft serials and histories XA515 served with 815 Sqn being delivered 5-’55. Unfortunately there are no other details apart from being transfered to ETPS. The only photo is of the a/c presumably after it was SOC.