What Is The Avro Vulcan?
The Avro Vulcan. A delta-wing jet bomber that formed the core of Britain’s V-force nuclear deterrent throughout the Cold War.
United Kingdom
Origin
Strategic bomber
Role
Mach 0.88
Top speed
17,000 m
Service ceiling
Avro Vulcan Specifications
The Avro Vulcan was a delta-wing jet bomber, operating as a key part of Britain’s airborne nuclear deterrent during the Cold War. The aircraft is powered by four Bristol Olympus engines pushing Mach 0.88 at 55,000 feet, its aerodynamic wing offered exceptional manoeuvrability and high payload capacity.
Performance
Top speed
645 mph (Mach 0.88)
Service ceiling
55,000 ft (17,000 m)
Combat radius
1,500 nmi (2,780 km)
Rate of climb
16,000 ft/min (81 m/s)
Airframe
Crew
5
Length
97 ft 1 in (29.59 m)
Wingspan
111 ft 0 in (33.83 m)
Empty weight
83,573 lbs (37,910 kg)
Engine
4x Bristol Olympus 201/301 turbojets
Service
First flight
30 August 1952
Unit cost
$3 million (Historical)
Operators
United Kingdom (Royal Air Force - Historic/Retired)
What Weapons Does The Avro Vulcan Carry?
The Avro Vulcan is fitted with a large internal bomb bay carrying up to 21,000 lbs of conventional 1,000 lb iron bombs or a single Yellow Sun/Blue Steel nuclear standoff missile for strategic deterrence.
Weapon
Category
Loadout
Range
Blue Steel
Category
Stand-Off Nuclear Missile
Loadout
1 missile
Range
240 km (150 miles)
Yellow Sun
Category
Free-Fall Nuclear Bomb
Loadout
1 bomb
Range
Gravity released
AGM-45 Shrike
Category
Anti-Radiation Missile
Loadout
Up to 4 missiles
Range
40 km (25 miles)
1,000 lb Bomb
Category
General-Purpose Bomb
Loadout
Up to 21 bombs
Range
Gravity released
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
How Fast Is The Avro Vulcan?
The Vulcan is subsonic, topping out around Mach 0.96 or 645 mph, though its delta wing gave it surprising agility for an aircraft of its size – display pilots routinely barrel-rolled it. At high altitude it could out-turn contemporary fighters, and its enormous wing area allowed it to operate above 55,000 feet where 1950s interceptors struggled to follow.
How Was The Avro Vulcan Developed?
The Vulcan was one of three V-bombers ordered to deliver Britain's independent nuclear deterrent, alongside the Valiant and Victor. Avro's delta design was radical enough that scale test aircraft, the Avro 707 series, were built to validate it. The prototype flew on 30 August 1952. When Soviet surface-to-air missiles made high-altitude penetration untenable, the fleet switched to low-level operations.
Has The Avro Vulcan Seen Combat?
The Vulcan's only combat use came in the 1982 Falklands War, in the Black Buck raids against Port Stanley airfield. Each sortie required a round trip of nearly 8,000 miles from Ascension Island supported by a chain of Victor tankers, and at the time they were the longest-range bombing missions ever flown.
Who Operates The Avro Vulcan?
The Royal Air Force was the sole operator, retiring the type in 1984. One airframe, XH558, flew as a civilian display aircraft until 2015 and remains preserved. Several others survive in museums and as taxiable examples.
Avro Vulcan FAQs
Common questions about the Avro Vulcan, its capabilities and whether civilians can fly it.
Can I fly in the Avro Vulcan as a civilian?
No, the Avro Vulcan is not available for civilian passenger flights. Jetify offers flights in ex-military aircraft that have been demilitarised and placed on a civil register, such as the L-39 Albatros, Hawker Hunter and MiG-15 Fagot, across 7 aircraft types from 11 airfields in 7 countries.
Can I take the controls of the Avro Vulcan?
No, you cannot take the controls of the Avro Vulcan, because it is not available for civilian passenger flights. On the aircraft Jetify does operate, such as the L-39 Albatros, most allow you to take the controls in level flight and gentle turns once your pilot is satisfied you are comfortable.
How much does a flight in the Avro Vulcan cost?
The Avro Vulcan is not available for civilian passenger flights, so there is no price for a flight in one. Jetify flights in jets such as the L-39 Albatros start from around £2,500, $3,300 or €2,900, while the MiG-15 Fagot, Aermacchi S.211 and Lockheed T-33 start from around £2,800 ($3,800, €3,400). The Hawker Hunter, the fastest aircraft currently bookable, starts from around £6,400, $8,500 or €7,600. Every price is per person and includes ground school, flight suit, helmet and pre-flight medical screening.
Is there a weight or height limit for a jet flight instead of the Avro Vulcan?
The Avro Vulcan is not available for civilian passenger flights, but all jet flight experiences enforce strict height and weight limits set by ejection seat clearances, cockpit dimensions and harness fit. Height is typically 5ft 2in (157 cm) to 6ft 4in (193 cm), and weight is generally capped at 16 st 7 lb to 18 st 12 lb (105 kg to 120 kg) depending on the aircraft. You also need normal cardiovascular health, with no heart conditions, severe high blood pressure or recent surgery.
How much G-force would I feel on a jet flight instead of the Avro Vulcan?
The Avro Vulcan is not available for civilian passenger flights, but on a civilian jet experience aerobatic profiles typically reach four to eight positive G in sustained turns and around minus four negative G. You learn the anti-G straining manoeuvre in ground school, which keeps you conscious under load. Supersonic and high-altitude profiles are physically far easier, and what happens in the air is agreed with your pilot and can be adjusted at any point.
How far in advance should I book a jet flight instead of the Avro Vulcan?
The Avro Vulcan is not available for civilian passenger flights, but you should book a real ex-military jet experience, such as the L-39 Albatros, 2 to 4 months in advance because of limited aircraft availability, maintenance schedules and airspace clearances. For weekend slots in peak summer months, allow 6 months. Simulator experiences generally need 2 to 3 weeks’ notice for standard weekend bookings.
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