VH-KDK Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 The Vickers Valliant was the first of Britain's trio of post war V Bombers 1. The less complex of the contenders for the advanced nuclear jet bomber, the Valiant was originaly rejected by the Air Ministry. 2. It was however reinstated as insurance against delays with the Vulcan and Victor. 3. The first Valiant flew in May 1951 but was lost 8 months later probably due to an on board fire in the fuel system. 4. Only the pilot and co-pilot had ejector seats, the other crew having to vacate the aircraft in the then conventional manner. 5. The first operational nuclear weapon was dropped by a Valiant in October 1956 and in May 1957 one dropped Britain's first Hydrogen bomb although this was considered a failure. The Nuclear test program finished in Nov 1958. 6. The Valiant was the first V Bomber to see action during the Suez crisis in 1956. Used as a conventional bomber, success was limited although no Valiants were lost. 7. In 1958 the Valiant was introduced in the tanker role and several long distance flights were made including from a Valiant non stop from England to Singapore and a Vulcan to Australia using in flight refuelling. 8. 7 Valiants were converted for the ECM role. 9. As with the other V Bombers the Valiant role changed to low level because of defensive advancements in the USSR. In August 1964 a Valiant returned to its base at Gaydon due to an inflight emergency caused by a rear spar failure. The entire fleet was found to have serious fatigue problems and by January 1965 they had all been retired from service. It had been intended to repair some of the less damaged aircraft but it was deemed to be too expensive. 10. Only 1 of the 107 Valiants built exists in a complete state today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orbxtreme Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Glad that at least one made it so that it can be seen for real. Very interesting set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradB Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Great post Martyn , interesting facts with excellent caps . Cheers Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cariboucharlie Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Very Informative Set! AA++ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GroovyMotion Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Very Informative Set! AA++ +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Banks Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Great!!! Right .. I think I now have the complete set of three ... time for a formation attempt!! Adam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Cox Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Some more information about the Vulcan that flew non-stop from England to Australia. It did not land in Australia but did a couple of flyovers of an air show at Richmond then turned for home. The whole flight was uneventful until it was about to land back in England and it crashed just before landing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikee Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Very interesting set of shots , and thanks for the information! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasi31 Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Very informative post with great shots. Thanks for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Banks Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 As threatened ... here's the cold war trio (over NZ!) ... Adam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VH-KDK Posted November 11, 2013 Author Share Posted November 11, 2013 As threatened ... here's the cold war trio (over NZ!) ... Adam. Great shots Adam. Needs a separate post for these wonderful shots Adam and any more caps you have in this series. All resplendent in their anti flash livery(can't really say colours!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dolf8857 Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taph Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Nice sets both Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Banks Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Needs a separate post for these wonderful shots Adam and any more caps you have in this series. Here we go!!! http://www.orbxsystems.com/forum/topic/67770-cold-war-trio/#entry622693 Adam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Emms Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Great set Martyn. cheers Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VH-KDK Posted November 11, 2013 Author Share Posted November 11, 2013 Great set Martyn. cheers Iain Nice sets both Nice! Very informative post with great shots. Thanks for posting. Very interesting set of shots , and thanks for the information! Some more information about the Vulcan that flew non-stop from England to Australia. It did not land in Australia but did a couple of flyovers of an air show at Richmond then turned for home. The whole flight was uneventful until it was about to land back in England and it crashed just before landing. Great!!! Right .. I think I now have the complete set of three ... time for a formation attempt!! Adam. +1 Very Informative Set! AA++ Many thanks for your comments and interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Schnibben Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 It seems I'm always too late today - Stunning pics from a stunning plane Martyn, and thanks for the impressive information! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VH-KDK Posted November 12, 2013 Author Share Posted November 12, 2013 It seems I'm always too late today - Stunning pics from a stunning plane Martyn, and thanks for the impressive information! Thank you Frank. Better late than never! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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