Vickers Valiant; The First Of The V-bombers (aerofax)
by Eric B Morgan /
2003 / English / PDF
88.8 MB Download
The Valiant was the shortest lived of the post-war V-bomber
force, first flying in 1951 and with production of 104 aircraft
ending in 1957 due to the official withdrawal in January, 1965
after investigation had shown that the main wing spars were
suffering from metal fatigue. It operated in four versions, the
B1 bomber, B(PR)1 bomber/photo-reconnaissance, B(K)1 flight
refueling tanker and B(PR)K1 covering all three roles.
Additionally, several aircraft were modified for a variety of
special roles. The all-black B2 low-level pathfinder bomber was
flown as a prototype in 1953. Valiants participated in British
atomic bomb tests and made noteworthy long-distance flights,
principally operating from Marham and Gaydon. In a change of task
shortly before retirement, the aircraft were painted in a
camouflage scheme better suited to their new low-level
penetration role. Also includes a full listing of each aircraft
history.
The Valiant was the shortest lived of the post-war V-bomber
force, first flying in 1951 and with production of 104 aircraft
ending in 1957 due to the official withdrawal in January, 1965
after investigation had shown that the main wing spars were
suffering from metal fatigue. It operated in four versions, the
B1 bomber, B(PR)1 bomber/photo-reconnaissance, B(K)1 flight
refueling tanker and B(PR)K1 covering all three roles.
Additionally, several aircraft were modified for a variety of
special roles. The all-black B2 low-level pathfinder bomber was
flown as a prototype in 1953. Valiants participated in British
atomic bomb tests and made noteworthy long-distance flights,
principally operating from Marham and Gaydon. In a change of task
shortly before retirement, the aircraft were painted in a
camouflage scheme better suited to their new low-level
penetration role. Also includes a full listing of each aircraft
history.
