VULCAN IN RAF SERVICE

摘要

Avro 698, as the Vulcan was initially called, was the product of a delta-wing design research programme: the Avro 707 The maiden flight of the first Avro 698, VX770, was on August 30, 1952 just in time for that year's Farnborough Airshow. Soon described as the 'tin triangle' by some, the prototype's wings lacked the distinctive cranked leading edge shape of production aircraft. This shaping was necessary because of buffeting effects on the constant angle wing leading edge when flying at higher speeds. Even before the prototype first flew, Avro had a contract for 25 production aircraft. Powerplants advanced rapidly. Early production B.1s used Bristol Olympus 104 13,000lb st (578kN) engines. Later B.2 aircraft had the 17000lb st (75.6kN) Olympus 201. Ultimately some B.2s, with the 301 versions, de-rated to 18,000lb st (80.1 kN), but this restriction was removed to allow their full 20,000lb (89kN) thrust for Falklands War missions in 1982.