Avro Vulcan

by Phil Butler and Tony Buttler

Aerofax

Reviewed by Ken Bowes

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2007 marks the 25th Anniversary of the Falklands War. One of the enduring memories of that war is the Black Buck raids, when Avro Vulcans flew from Ascension Island in the mid-Atlantic to strike key targets in those distant islands deep in the South Atlantic. Whilst they remain viewed with some controversy, steeped in claims of inter-service one upmanship and a cost-benefit ledger heavily in the red, there is little doubt the “Tin Triangle” itself became firmly rooted in the imagination of aviation enthusiast’s world wide. The Vulcan is far from extinct, with one, XH588, possibly soon to fly again and many in Museums across the world, it seems appropriate that the legendary V-Bomber gets the Aerofax treatment now.

Phil Butler and Tony Buttler, both life long aviation researchers, have put together a comprehensive look at Avro’s Type 698 medium bomber. As one would expect, the story starts with a look at the design specifications and origins, followed by an examination of the Avro 707, a sub-scale flying test bed used to refine the bomber’s wing design. Another excursion into design evolution, including drawing board ideas wraps up the design section. The second half of the book looks at the types service history, special trials aircraft and an “in detail” chapter, although without as many close-up photographs as perhaps a modeller would appreciate. The final chapter is titled “Memories” and includes reminisces of several Vulcan aircrew, adding the human dimension to this otherwise technical history.

Wrapping up the book are three very useful appendices. One covers individual airframe histories of all the completed Vulcans, the second gives potted histories of all units which flew the bomber and the third lists all known survivors of the Vulcan fleet. It is a testament to the love of aviation history in the UK that there are indeed so many survivors of this aircraft. Finally there are 25 pages of magnificent colour photos of the subject, something that modellers will find most use of this excellent volume. Yet again the Aerofax imprint has put out a useful book on an iconic aircraft.

With Freightdog Models decal sheet “Gods of Sea and Fire” and an Airfix (or for the lucky ones Aeroclub) Vulcan in the stash, a modeller could do worse for reference material with this book.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Simon of DLS Australia for the review sample

Review Copyright © 2007 by Ken Bowes
This Page Created on 16 September, 2007
Last updated 24 December, 2007

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