Vulcan: Last of the V-Bombers (Repost)

This guide to the RAF Vulcan bomber describes the aircraft's use in the post-war period, showing how its speed and manoeuvrability made it a fearsome fighting machine. The book also describes the bomber's part in the Falklands War, where its supersonic capability helped end the conflict. Below and right New Year's Day 1947 saw the issuing of a small document that was to have many ramifications. This was Specification B35/46, and it 'landed' on the desk of Roy Chadwick six days later. Chadwick was the Chief Designer for A V Roe and Company, and he had long been regarded by those who worked with him as a genius. He and his team had many successes under their belt, but it was the Lancaster bomber for which he was best known. Avro were one of seven manufacturers being invited to design and build the RAF's first-ever nuclear bomber, a four-jet aircraft intended to strike at the heart of an 'enemy', shortly to crystalise as the Soviet Union, as what became known as the 'Cold War' began to take a grip on the world. The successful contenders were to replace the Avro Lincoln (itself a developed Lancaster) and Boeing Washington. Chadwick and his team at Chadderton, Manchester, quickly rejected a 'conventional' approach to the new bomber, and Roy's mind began to centre upon a delta, initially with what much latter would be called 'end-plate' vertical flying surfaces. His first sketches and calculations still survive.