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Vulcan

Name : Vulcan Manufacturer : Avro Production Began : 1955

The Avro Vulcan was the worlds first delta winged heavy bomber. the first prototype flew on the 30th August 1952 and the first production Vulcan flew in February 1955. The first Avro Vulcan's arrived for service with the Royal Air Force with 230 operational Conversion Unit (OCU) at RAF Finningley in May 1956. with the first squadron to receive the Vulcan in July 1957 was 83 squadron. In April 1968 Bomber Command merged into the Newly created Strike Command with eight Squadrons being equipped with Vulcan's. A terrain Hugging variant was introduced (the Vulcan SR2) in 1973, to all squadrons except no. 27 squadron (Flying Elephants) which was a Maritime reconnaissance Sqd. The Last Major role for the Avro Bomber was the bombing of Argentinean Airfields in the Falkland Islands During The Falklands Conflict The Avro Vulcan high Altitude Bomber with a crew of five. Top Speed 650 mph with a ceiling of 60,000 feet. maximum range of 5750 miles (with in flight refuelling). with a conventional bomb load of 21 x 1000 lb bombs

Pilots and Aircrew for : Vulcan
A list of all aircrew from our database who are associated with this aircraft. A profile page is available by clicking their name.
Name	Info
Baldwin, N B Click the name above to see a profile of Baldwin, N B	Baldwin, N B Air Vice-Marshal N B Baldwin CB CBE FRAcS was a Vulcan Mk 2 pilot for most of his flying career. A Cranwell flight cadet, he joined IX Sqn at RAF Coningsby as a co-pilot in 1963, became a captain on 35 Sqn at Cottesmore 2 years later, was a flight commander on the same squadron at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus in 1970 and commanded 50 Sqn at Waddington towards the end of the aircraft's operational life in the late '70s. He has over 3000 hours on the aircraft. He was then station commander of RAF Wyton when it was a Canberra, Nimrod R, and Bloodhound base; he retired in 1996 having been the Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Overseas) in the Ministry of Defence. Since 1996, he has been the Chairman of the RAF Historical Society and the Chairman of 'Combat Stress' - the Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society.
Briggs, Don Click the name above to see a profile of Briggs, Don	Briggs, Don 62 ops as Flight Engineer on Lancasters of 156 Pathfinder Squadron. After the war he qualified as a pilot and flew all three types of V-Bomber operationally including the famous Vulcan XH558 as well as Canberras and Meteors. He flew the mission that dropped the third and last Atom Bomb on Christmas Island.
Haven, Dick Click the name above to see a profile of Haven, Dick	Haven, Dick Joining the RAF in 1951 he was a pilot on Canberras, Valiants and Vulcan B.2s serving with 27, 12, 101, 44, 9 and 35 Squadrons including time as Chief Flying Instructor.
Hubbard, Ken Click the name above to see a profile of Hubbard, Ken    Died : 21 / 1 / 2004	Hubbard, Ken On 15 May 1957 Valiant XD818 captained by Wg Cdr Ken Hubbard, OC No 49 Sqn, dropped Britain's first H-bomb at Christmas Island in the South Pacific. Awarded the DFC during WWII whilst flying Wellington bombers in Italy with No 70 Sqn, he later flew Liberators and commanded No 104 Sqn with Lancasters. He commanded RAF Scampton during the height of the V-Force build-up with the Blue Steel equipped Vulcan B2s and has flown numerous types including the Victor and Vulcan. He died 21st January 2004.
Macey, Eric Click the name above to see a profile of Macey, Eric	Macey, Eric Eric Macey joined the RAF in 1954 and, after graduating as a pilot, flew Hunter fighters with 263 and 1 Sqns. He next joined the rapidly-expanding V-Force, initially flying Valiants of 214 Sqn on in-flight refuelling trials, and completed the first non-stop flight to Singapore. Then followed a Vulcan captaincy with 101 Sqn on which, over the next several years, he served as Sqn Pilot, Training Officer and Sqn Cdr (and which formed part of his Wing when he was OC Waddington). Between times, he was Chief Instructor of the Vulcan OCU at Scampton and, for a short time, also Stn Cdr there. Posted to Germany in 1979, he flew the Wessex, Puma, Jaguar, Phantom and Harrier and later served as AOC (of the University Air Squadrons) and Commandant of the RAF College Cranwell where he re-qualified on the Jet Provost. His final tour as Director-General Training added another 15 aircraft types bringing his total flying hours to about 3400 (1900 on the Vulcan) and total types flown to 60.
Marson, Andrew Click the name above to see a profile of Marson, Andrew	Marson, Andrew Squadron Leader Andrew Marson joined the RAF in 1970. Served as a Navigator/Plotter on Vulcans from 1971 - 82, with an intervening 3-year period as Navigator Instructor. He amassed 2000 hours overall on the Vulcan. He transferred to Tornado GRI in 1983 and completed 1600 hours on the type, finishing as an instructor on the Tri -- National OCU in 1997. For the last 4 years he has served as QNI teaching low-level navigation, and is currently on his third season as navigator on the Lancaster and Dakota of The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. He has a total of 5700 flying hours. On 18th October 2007, he flew in the historic flight of the first Vulcan to fly in 14 years.
Masefield, Barry Click the name above to see a profile of Masefield, Barry	Masefield, Barry Squadron Leader Barry Masefield (Retd) joined the Royal Air Force in 1959 as a Radar Technician Apprentice. After graduation he refrained as aircrew in 1963 and subsequently flew in Shackleton and Nimrod aircraft in Maritime Command until 1979. Commissioned in 1979 he was posted onto the Vulcan fleet where he served until the demise ofthe aircraft as a bomber in 1983. During this time he saw active service during the Falklands conflict as a crew member oil the Black Buck bombing sorties. In 1983 he was posted to the Victor tanker force again seeing active service during the Gulf war. In 1986 he was invited to join the Vulcan Display Fight and flew on the team until 1993 when the aircraft was sold into private ownership. Retiring from the Royal Air Force in 1994 he now runs his own business in Norfolk. On 18th October 2007, he flew in the historic flight of the first Vulcan to fly in 14 years.
Morgan, Alun Click the name above to see a profile of Morgan, Alun	Morgan, Alun Air Commodore Alun Morgan was called up for National Service in 1950, and was then selected for RAF College Cranwell, (1951-53). His first tour was on 81 Sqn in Singapore flying Meteor PR 10s and Pembroke's. He joined the V-Force in 1960, first as a co-pilot then as a captain on Vulcan Is and 1As. From 1967- 67 he was FIt Cdr on 83 Sqn at Scampton flying the Blue Steel Vulcan 11. A short tour in 1974 as OC the Vulcan Standardisation Sqn was followed by a tour at Akrotiri, Cyprus as OC Vulcan Bomber Wing. A desk tour at HQ 1 Group followed as Vulcan Operations, but he still managed two of the USAF Bombing Competitions in the USA, leading the Vulcan High Noon and Giant Voice detachments in 1975 and 1977. From 1978-81 he was the NATO Targeting Representative at Headquarters SAC at Offutt USA, and retired in 1986 as the UK National Military Representative at SHAPE, Belgium. He flew his last Vulcan sortie on 18 Nov 1982.
Pearson, Mike Click the name above to see a profile of Pearson, Mike	Pearson, Mike Former Vulcan AEO
Pollitt, Michael M Click the name above to see a profile of Pollitt, Michael M	Pollitt, Michael M Wing Commander Michael M Pollitt joined the RAF in 1974. It is with regret that he joined the Vulcan Force so late in the aircrafts life. As a young co-pilot he was trained by David Thomas and later completed his captain s course with Paul Milliken, finally being examined by Joe L Estrange; so enthusiastic display pilots always influenced his time on Vulcans. After leaving the Vulcan in 1981 having logged 780 hours, he became a qualified flying instructor on Jet Provost (JP), first at RAF College Cranwell for 4 years. Later he commanded the Central Flying School (CFS) JP and Tucano Sqn at Scampton and eventually returned to Scampton as Chief Flying Instructor of CFS in the mid-90s. His last command flying tour was as CC Flying at RAF Cranwell where he instructed on the Bulldog and Jetstream. He is currently CFSO at HQ STC.
Radley, The Lord Craig of Click the name above to see a profile of Radley, The Lord Craig of	Radley, The Lord Craig of Lord Craig entered the RAF in 1951and was a QFI and Hunter fighter pilot before joining No 35 Sqn in 1962 to fly the then brand new Vulcan B2. He commanded No 35 Sqn until 1965 and flew numerous other types during his distinguished career. He was Commander-in-Chief RAF Strike Command, Chief of the Air Staff, Chief of the Defence Staff and in 1991 was appointed a Life Peer. His affection for the Vulcan has remained undiminished and he has the unique distinction of having flown the Vulcan in every rank in the RAF from Squadron Leader to Marshall of the Royal Air Force.
Reeve, John Click the name above to see a profile of Reeve, John	Reeve, John Commanded the lead aircraft of Operation Black Buck 1, but was forced to return to base before reaching his objective when his aircraft suffered a pressurisation failure. Several days later he flew a near identical mission as Operation Black Buck 2 successfully targeted an Argentine airstrip at Port Stanley. He served with 9, 10 and 50 Squadrons.
Russell, Dick Click the name above to see a profile of Russell, Dick	Russell, Dick Victor pilot 1962 - 1991. AAR pilot on Martin Withers Vulcan XM607, Black Buck One.
Russell, Rusty Click the name above to see a profile of Russell, Rusty	Russell, Rusty Serving with 31 Sqn on Photo Reconnaissance on Canberras he later moved to 230 OCU and 35 Sqn flying Vulcan B.2s and was a Captain at the height of the Cold War.
Sharman, Martin Click the name above to see a profile of Sharman, Martin	Sharman, Martin Martin Sharman was awarded an RAF Flying Scholarship and subsequently joined the RAF in 1970. Following flying training he flew operational tours on the Vulcan and Victor. In 1980 he became a qualified instructor and instrument rating examiner on the Jet Provost. After 18 months he was selected to fly the Hawk as an instructor and instrument rating examiner. He then moved to No 3(F) SQN flying the Harrier in RAF Germany, becoming the Squadrons Qualified Flying Instructor and Instrument Rating Examiner and flying operationally in Germany, Sardinia and Belize. He was then posted to the Harrier Operational Conversion Unit (233 OCU) as an Instructor. After completing his RAF career he joined British Airways and also displayed the Duxford based Catalina, he is currently a Captain on the Boeing 747-400.
Summers, Richard Gordon Battensby Click the name above to see a profile of Summers, Richard Gordon Battensby    Died : 7 / 5 / 2017	Summers, Richard Gordon Battensby Richard Gordon Battensby Summers was born on 18th October 1921 in Beverley, East Yorkshire and was educated at Ermysteds Grammar School at Skipton. In April 1939 Richard joined The Royal Air Force as a direct-entry Airman u/t Observer. On 26th June he went to the Bristol Flying School, Yatesbury for basic navigation training, moved to B&GS Warmwell on 30th September and then completed his training with an astro-navigation course at St. Athan in November. On 4th December 1939 Summers was posted to Church Fenton to join 242 Squadron, as a navigator at the age of 18. The squadron was equipped with Blenheims. He went to 219 Squadron at Catterick on 16th April 1940. Summers left the squadron on 28th September to go to the Ferry Pool and Defence Flight Takoradi, in West Africa. In early July 1941 Summers aircraft made a wheels-up forced-landing on a beach in Liberia. To escape internment he walked 48 miles in bare feet before putting out to sea and being picked up by a British merchantman on the 5th. For this incident, Summers was awarded the AFM (gazetted 1st January 1942). Commissioned in May 1942, he was posted back to the UK where he was appointed Bombing Leader on Hudsons at No. 1 (Coastal) OTU Silloth on 12th October. Summers was posted to 48 Squadron at Gibraltar on 22nd May 1943 as Bombing Leader. He returned to the UK and on 1st March 1944 became Bombing Leader at No. 1 APC Aldergrove. Summers went on a Specialist Armament Course on 19th April, firstly at 2 School of Technical Training Cosford and from late June at the Empire Air Armament School at Manby. He was appointed Armament Staff Officer at HQ 15 Group Liverpool on 17th November 1944 and he moved to RAF Lossiemouth on 7th August 1945 as Station Armament Officer. Staying in the postwar RAF, in October 1946 Summers was posted to the staff of ACAS (Training) at the Air Ministry as an Acting Squadron Leader. Pre-selected for the RAF Staff College in 1949, he graduated at the end of 1950 and was appointed Command Weapons Officer at HQ Bomber Command. From August 1953 until January 1956 Summers was Deputy Station Commander at RAF East Leigh, Kenya during the Mau-Mau Emergency. He was made an OBE (gazetted 6th March 1956) for 'gallant and distinguished services in Kenya'. Back in the UK, Summers returned to flying and commanded 109 Squadron at Binbrook. In December 1956 he was promoted to Acting Wing Commander and took command of No. 2 Wing RAF Cosford. In July 1959 he did a RAF Flying College Course at RAF Manby. In January/March 1960 Summers did a conversion course on Vulcans and was then appointed Wing Commander Operations at RAF Finningley, a Vulcan station. In December 1962 he was posted to the staff of SHAPE in Europe, for 'nuclear activities'. He returned to the UK in December 1966 and became a staff officer in the Department of the Chief of Defence Staff. Summers retired from the RAF on 18th October 1968 as a Wing Commander. He died on 7th May 2017.
Sumner, Adrian Click the name above to see a profile of Sumner, Adrian	Sumner, Adrian Wing Commander Adrian Sumner joined the RAF in 1966. He first flew the Vulcan as a Co-pilot in Cyprus on IX Squadron in 1970; this was followed by a Captain's tour on 44 Sqn at RAF Waddington. After a brief sojourn at Central Flying School where he became a Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) on the Bulldog, Adrian returned to RAF Waddington as a Vulcan Squadron Flight Commander and Q171 on 50 Squadron, where he displayed the aircraft during the 1980 Season. Adrian's final association with the Vulcan was as Officer Commanding the RAF Detachment at Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, Nebraska, USA, where Vulcan's frequently detached for low level training. The rest of Adrian's Service career was mainly associated with Flying Training, both at Support Command Headquarters and as Officer Commanding Operations and Pilot Training Wing at RAF Finningley, where he flew the Dominie, and was Chief Instructor on the Jetstream. His final tour in the RAF was with NATO at SHAPE Headquarters, Mons, Belgium. After leaving the RAF in 1997, Adrian flew the BAe146 for 2 airlines, and he now works as a contract pilot and QFI flying Royal Navy Jetstreams at RNAS Culdrose. He is also a qualified Balloon Pilot. During his flying career Adrian has currently amassed 8500 flying hours, of which 2300 were on the Vulcan.
Thomas, David Click the name above to see a profile of Thomas, David	Thomas, David Squadron Leader David Thomas joined the Royal Air Force in 1962. His Service career has been evenly split between being a qualified flying instructor and the Vulcan. He has completed 5 tours of duty on the Vulcan, 3 of them as an instructor, and he first displayed the aircraft in 1973. In addition to the Vulcan, he has instructed on the Jet Provost, Tucano, Jetstream, DC3 and Lancaster. Squadron Leader Thomas currently serves at Royal Air Force College Cranwelland on The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
Withers, Martin Click the name above to see a profile of Withers, Martin	Withers, Martin Martin Withers was the captain on XM607, the first Vulcan to bomb in anger during the Falklands War. On 1 May 1982, just one month after the Argentine invasion, Withers and his crew completed 'Black Buck One', the longest distance bombing mission in history until that time, and one of the most significant, attacking Port Stanley airfield during an 8,000 mile, 16 hour flight from their base at Ascension Island.

Squadrons for : Vulcan
A list of all squadrons known to have flown the Vulcan. A profile page is available by clicking the squadron name.
Squadron	Info
No.101 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 12th July 1917 Mens agitat molem - Mind over matter Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.101 Sqn RAF	No.101 Sqn RAF No 101 Squadron was formed on 12th July 1917 and based at South Farnborough. The squadron was commanded by Major The Hon L J E Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes, and by the end of July the squadron was sent to France where 101 Squadron was to become the second specialist night-bomber unit in the Royal Flying Corps. 101 Squadron was equipped with the FE2b two-seat pusher bi-plane and on the 20th September 1917 began flying night bombing missions during the Battle of Menin Ridge. 101 1quadron continued night bombing missions during the 3rd Battle of Ypres and the Battle of Cambrai. 101 squadron attacked several German long-range night bomber airfields during February 1918 and these missions were among the first offensive counter air operations and up until the end of the war continued bombing missions. After the First World War 101 squadron were based in Belgium until March 1919 when returning to Britian and disbanded on the 31st December. No.101 squadron reformed on the 21st March 1928 at RAF Bircham Newton and in March 1929 the squadron was issued with the new bomber the Boulton and Paul Sidestrand. The squadron moved to RAF Andover iIn October 1929 where it remained until December 1934 when 101 squadron moved to RAF Bicester and issued with the the improved Boulton Paul Overstrand, which featured the first powered gun turret in RAF aircraft as well as othe rmodifications including more powerful engines. The Boulton Paul Overstrand is displayed on 101 Squadron's official badge. In June 1938 No 101 Squadron re-equipped with Bristol Blenheim and was stationed now at RAF West Raynham in May 1939, as part of No 2 Group, Bomber Command. When World War Two broke out 101 Squadron were stationed at RAF Brize Norton, but returned to West Raynham. It was not until the fall of France when the squadron became operational but suffered a set back when its officer commanding, Wg Cdr J H Hargroves, and his crew were lost on its first bombing mission on 5th July 1940. During the Battle of Britain 101 Squadron Blenhiems carried out bombing missions against the German barges in French ports as well as German airfields in France. Another OC 101 Squadron, Wg Cdr D Addenbrooke, was lost on the 3rd April while taking part in a raid on French ports just 3 days after taking command. 101 Squadron were re-equipped with the Vickers Wellington in April 1940 and were based at RAF Oakington and became part of No 3 Group bomber command. On the 24th July 101 Squadron lost its first Wellington on a raid against Brest. Ten Wellingtons of 101 Squadron took part in the first 1,000 bomber raid on Cologne, but losses began to mount and between July and September the Squadron lost 20 Wellingtons with 86 aircrew killed. In September 101 Squadron moved to RAF Holme-on-Spalding-Moor in Septmber 1942 and became the first operational Avro Lancaster squadron in No 1 Group.Bomber Command. 101 squadron moved to its final wartime base, RAF Ludford Magna on 15th June 1943. 101 Squadrons Lancasters took part in the raids on Hamburg and the raid on the secret German rocket site at Peenemunde. Over the winter of 1943-1944 No.101 squadron took part in the raid on Berlin but suffered high casualties. On the 31st March 1944, during the Nuremberg Raid, 101 Squadron lost 7 Lancasters and crews out of 26 dispatched. In the spring and summer of 1944 101 squadron attacked targets in France in preparation for and support of the allied invasion of Normandy. On D-Day, the squadron used ABC to jam nightfighter controllers to protect the British airborne landings. After D-Day 101 squadron continued raids on German cities with their last bombing mission on Berchtesgarden on 25th April 1945. 101 bomber squadron suffered the highest casualties of any Royal Air Force Squadron during the Second World War, losing 1176 aircrew killed in action. In October 1945, the Squadron moved to RAF Binbrook and later equipped with Avro Lincolns. In May 1952 101 squadorn became the first bomber squadron to receive the first Jet Bomber the English Electric Canberra B2 and in 1954 were stationed in Malaya carrying out bombing misisons against terrorist targets. In October 1956 during the Suez crisis to Malta for Operation MUSKETEER bombing raids against Egypt befroe being disbanded in February 1957 but in 1959 101 squadron was reformed and re equipped with the new Avro Vulcan B1 and the first squadorn to be armed with the British H Bomb, In 1961 101 squadron moved to RAF Waddington. In 1968 the squadron was equipped with the new Vulcan B2 . In 1982,101 Squadron Vulcans took part in Operation CORPORATE, during the Falklands War. A 101 Squadron crew carried out the first and last Operation BLACKBUCK Vulcan conventional bombing raids on Argentinean forces occupying Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands. These 8,000 mile round trip missions required extensive use of Air to Air refuelling. After the Falklands war 101 squadron was equipped with VC10s and supplied fighter aircraft with air to air refuelling during all major conflicts form Bosnia, to Operation Desert Storm and continues today in this role.
No.27 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 5th November 1915 Quam celerrime ad astra - With all speed to the stars Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.27 Sqn RAF	No.27 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.35 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st February 1916 Fate : Disbanded 28th February 1982 Madras Presidency Uno animo agimus - We act with one accord Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.35 Sqn RAF	No.35 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.44 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 15th April 1916 Fate : Disbanded 21st December 1982 Rhodesia Fulmina regis justa - The Kings thunderbolts are righteous Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.44 Sqn RAF	No.44 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.50 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 15th May 1916 Fate : Disbanded 31st March 1984 From defence to attack Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.50 Sqn RAF	No.50 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.83 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 7th January 1917 Fate : Disbanded 31st August 1969 Strike to defend Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.83 Sqn RAF	No.83 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.86 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st September 1917 Fate : Disbanded 25th April 1946 Ad libertates volamus - We fly to freedom Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.86 Sqn RAF	No.86 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.9 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 8th December 1914 Per noctum volamus - Through the night we gly Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.9 Sqn RAF	No.9 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.

Last edited : 12:36, June 28, 2017
Last editor : kc

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