Black Buck Vulcans

[IanM]

Having just finished reading Vulcan 607 the other day it only mentions XM598, XM607 and XM597 as being the Vulcans chosen for the Black Buck missions. Having read a few websites, etc over the last few days XM612 and the 'Blackpool' Vulcan (I forget the serial number) has been mentioned. Does anyone know of any more or did only 3 ever go to Ascension as I remember reading somewhere that XM612 was a stand-by aircraft?

[Saracenman]

i was only aware of three going. i think that the idea was to always have a primary and secondary a/c for each mission, with one 'spare' in case of other problems.

I'm certain though that, had any Vulcan been lost or DBR, there were others back in Blighty that could be scrambled at a moment's notice.

I'm also fairly confident that the numbers were kept to the barest minimum, due simply to the limited space available on AI - as Mackrick's photos testify!

sm

[MadNaddy]

Interesting - think I'm going to have to go and buy that book now - thanks Ian!

[IanM]

It was decided that five Vulcans should be completely converted for the mission

The three that are always mentioned are XM607 (obviously), XM597 (the one that had to land in Rio), and XM598 (the main aircraft for BB1 which had the problem with the window).

During the Falkland Islands War, XM612 was one of the aircraft sent to Ascension Island to fly ‘Black Buck’ missions against the Argentine forces entrenched on the Falklands. Although it didn’t actually see combat, it did help by proving the importance of the air-refuelling fleet.

So that was a fourth. I seem to recall reading that XL391 (the Blackpool one) was one of them but looking at pictures of it, it doesn't have the dark grey underside that the rest do and would one with a XL serial number have 301 engines??

[Hihonyr8811]

I've had the book ages and I'm still only half way though, i'm not finding it very easy reading I'm afraid, even though it's not all that technical I'm still finding those bits the hardest . perhaps I should just sit down and just read it all the way through with out stopping, instead of picking it up every now and again.

[V-girl]

I loved that book. Sat in 612 two years ago on visit to museum. The volunteer that day spent 25 mins showing me round her and answering all my non-technical brain questions. It was a fanstatic day.

[IanM]

I might go and visit 612 this weekend. Have always meant to go and take a look

[RLN]

That book is great. Like a Boy's Own adventure story (used to be a comic for those not out of nappies yet ).

[Piechap]

I've had the book ages and I'm still only half way though, i'm not finding it very easy reading I'm afraid, even though it's not all that technical I'm still finding those bits the hardest . perhaps I should just sit down and just read it all the way through with out stopping, instead of picking it up every now and again.

If you really try you will get into it . I think I am rught in saying most people who have read the book will feel that the were also on the aircraft that night.

If Martin withers reads this he may well come to that conclussion especially as the fuel used was more than planned.

[Dangerousdave]

In a bit of Vulacan related stuff, there are three Vulcnas that reside abroad, one in Canada, one in America and one somewhere else. How did they all et there, were they flown there?

Also it may be woth mentioning that XM594 at Newark Air Museum is open most weekends and bank holidays if anyone fancies having a look inside one. The RAF took most the stuff back when she landed but the museum have 'acquired' a lot back. I used to spend all my weekends sat in it or standing on fore duty whilst they operated the APU to open the bomb doors and operate the lights etc.
So far as I know they still do it although have probably stopped for winter now. I remember the first operation of it follwoing it's winter hibernation. I was only young then! I remember trying really hard to look cool until they started it up and a plume of flame shot out and hit the ground. Happy days!

[IanM]

The one at Goose Bay, XL361, landed with a fault which was too costly to repair so it stayed.

There are 3 in America. XM573, XM605 and XM606. Although XM605's future isn't guaranteed http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/ ... 40338/1060

[Mackrick]

Nice link Ian M thanks,

[IanM]

My apologies, it's XM606 which the article refers to.



Oh that reminds me, if anyone wants my Google Earth file of the locations of preserved Vulcans, just send me a message.