It seems strange to describe an aircraft which possessed such potential for untold destruction as Britains most effective peace keeping asset however that is exactly what the Vulcan turned out to be. As the Avro Vulcan entered squadron service with No.83 Squadron at RAF Waddington in July 1957 Britain now possessed the fastest nuclear capable bomber in the world. Interestingly all this was achieved just nine years since the Avro Lancasters of RAF No.617 Squadron had launched their famous raid against the great dams of the Ruhr Valley. When the Vulcan made its maiden flight in August 1952 the Avro team were well on the way to presenting the Royal Air Force with not only the worlds first delta bomber but also one of the worlds most effective strike bombers. Built to satisfy an extremely demanding Air Ministry requirement for a fast high altitude strategic bomber capable of carrying a special payload of 10000 imperial pounds in weight (a nuclear device) the new aircraft was intended to serve as an airborne deterrent to any future military threat against the UK with the required specifications representing a 100% increase in the capabilities of any previous British bomber aircraft. Occupying a significant position in the history of post war British aviation the Avro Vulcan was without doubt one of the most distinctive aircraft ever to take to the skies with its huge delta wing profile becoming almost as iconic as the elliptical wing of the Supermarine Spitfire.
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