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Royal Air Force - Avro Vulcan K. 2 XH561
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Royal Air Force - Avro Vulcan K. 2 XH561
Royal Air Force - Avro Vulcan K.2 XH561 of No.50 Squadron at RAF Wildenrath for an air display. After the Falklands conflict, the Victor K.2 fleet was fast approaching their fatigue limits, due to the intensive operations supporting the Vulcans and other aircraft. Some of the remaining Vulcans with sufficient flying hours remaining were converted to tankers by fitting Mk.17 hose-drogue refuelling packs in the ECM bays at the tail. Date: 1983
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Media ID 21130867
© The Peter Butt Aviation Collection / Mary Evans
1983 Approaching Avro Bays Conflict Converted Falklands Fast Fatigue Fitting Hours Intensive Limits Operations Packs Refuelling Remaining Squadron Sufficient Supporting Tail Tankers Victor Vulcan Wildenrath Fleet Vulcans
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In this evocative photograph, the Avro Vulcan K.2 XH561 of the Royal Air Force's No.50 Squadron is seen taking part in an air display at RAF Wildenrath in 1983. The Vulcan, a iconic British Cold War-era bomber, was nearing the end of its service life due to the intense operations it had undertaken during the Falklands Conflict. With the Victor K.2 fleet rapidly approaching their fatigue limits, some of the remaining Vulcans, including XH561, were converted into tankers to extend the operational life of the Vulcan fleet. This was achieved by fitting Mk.17 hose-drogue refuelling packs into the Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) bays at the tail. The Falklands Conflict, which took place in 1982, saw the Vulcan play a crucial role in the Royal Air Force's air campaign against Argentine forces. The Vulcan's long range and heavy bomb load made it an invaluable asset in the conflict, and its ability to fly long distances without refuelling made it an ideal candidate for tanker conversions. Despite the conversion, XH561 and other Vulcan tankers continued to serve with distinction, providing vital refuelling support to other RAF aircraft during operations and training exercises. This photograph captures a moment in time when the RAF's iconic Vulcan bomber was still in service, but in a new role that ensured its legacy would continue for a few more years.
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