Avro Vulcan Projects & Testbed Variants
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nuuumannn
Cannae be ar*ed changing my personal text
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Avro Vulcan B.2 XM597, although an in-service Vulcan was a testbed for different weapon systems (the following is cut and pasted from an article I wrote about XM597 and its varied career years ago).
Completed in 1963 as the sixty-first Vulcan built, XM597 was the first to be modified on the production line for carrying the cancelled Douglas GAM-87A Skybolt Air Launched Ballistic Missile, and the last to be fitted out for carrying the Avro Blue Steel stand-off nuclear missile, thereby making it the only Vulcan that was potentially capable of carrying both (although not at the same time, I'd imagine...)
During the Falklands War, throughout April and May 1982, XM597 carried out weapons trials for the possible carriage of laser guided bombs and AS.37 Martel TV guided missiles on makeshift pylons constructed from metal girders discovered lying about at Waddington. The pylons were fitted to hardpoints initially incorporated into the Vulcan’s wings for the carriage of the Douglas GAM-87A Skybolt missile. The plumbing for the cooling and electronic systems for the canceled American weapon housed the cabling for the carriage of stores under the wings.
Hastily designed by Squadron Leader Chris Pye, Waddington’s mechanical and engineering officer, the under wing pylons subsequently became known as “Pye pylons”. These were fitted to the Vulcans after refinement at RAF St Athan for operations, although based on Sqn Ldr Pye’s designs.
During trials, both laser guided bombs and Martels were dropped from the aircraft; three 1,000 lb High Explosive laser guided bombs were carried internally or a single Martel was carried externally. On 4 May the first flight carrying a single Martel round and a AN/ALQ-101 E-10 ECM pod, the Dash Ten as it was known, was made. The next day, XM597 carried out the first live firing trial with a Martel (sans warhead) at the Aberporth Firing Range in Wales.
XM597 was also the platform for Black Buck's 4, 5 and 6, although BB4 was canned owing to problems with one of the Victor tanker's Hose Drum Units and on these raids, XM597 carried AGM-45A Shrike anti-radar missiles. It was during BB6 that XM597's refuelling probe failed and the aircraft infamously diverted to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, hence the Brazilian flag on its nose. XM597 is outside at Scotland's National Museum of Flight at East Fortune.
The Douglas Skybolt missile was to be Britain's airborne strategic nuclear deterrent after the Blue Steel. The Skybolt test bed Vulcan was B.2 XH537. This missile casing can be seen at the RAF Museum Cosford under the wing of XM598, which is fitted with Pye pylons owing to its use in the Black Buck raids as the back up to XM597. Note that the pylon is smaller than XM597's left hand one, this is because the Dash Ten was to be carried on the right hand pylon, with the Shrikes on the left, although on BB6, XM597 carried two twin Shrike launchers and no Dash Ten.
Completed in 1963 as the sixty-first Vulcan built, XM597 was the first to be modified on the production line for carrying the cancelled Douglas GAM-87A Skybolt Air Launched Ballistic Missile, and the last to be fitted out for carrying the Avro Blue Steel stand-off nuclear missile, thereby making it the only Vulcan that was potentially capable of carrying both (although not at the same time, I'd imagine...)
During the Falklands War, throughout April and May 1982, XM597 carried out weapons trials for the possible carriage of laser guided bombs and AS.37 Martel TV guided missiles on makeshift pylons constructed from metal girders discovered lying about at Waddington. The pylons were fitted to hardpoints initially incorporated into the Vulcan’s wings for the carriage of the Douglas GAM-87A Skybolt missile. The plumbing for the cooling and electronic systems for the canceled American weapon housed the cabling for the carriage of stores under the wings.
Hastily designed by Squadron Leader Chris Pye, Waddington’s mechanical and engineering officer, the under wing pylons subsequently became known as “Pye pylons”. These were fitted to the Vulcans after refinement at RAF St Athan for operations, although based on Sqn Ldr Pye’s designs.
During trials, both laser guided bombs and Martels were dropped from the aircraft; three 1,000 lb High Explosive laser guided bombs were carried internally or a single Martel was carried externally. On 4 May the first flight carrying a single Martel round and a AN/ALQ-101 E-10 ECM pod, the Dash Ten as it was known, was made. The next day, XM597 carried out the first live firing trial with a Martel (sans warhead) at the Aberporth Firing Range in Wales.
XM597 was also the platform for Black Buck's 4, 5 and 6, although BB4 was canned owing to problems with one of the Victor tanker's Hose Drum Units and on these raids, XM597 carried AGM-45A Shrike anti-radar missiles. It was during BB6 that XM597's refuelling probe failed and the aircraft infamously diverted to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, hence the Brazilian flag on its nose. XM597 is outside at Scotland's National Museum of Flight at East Fortune.
The Douglas Skybolt missile was to be Britain's airborne strategic nuclear deterrent after the Blue Steel. The Skybolt test bed Vulcan was B.2 XH537. This missile casing can be seen at the RAF Museum Cosford under the wing of XM598, which is fitted with Pye pylons owing to its use in the Black Buck raids as the back up to XM597. Note that the pylon is smaller than XM597's left hand one, this is because the Dash Ten was to be carried on the right hand pylon, with the Shrikes on the left, although on BB6, XM597 carried two twin Shrike launchers and no Dash Ten.
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Hi,
The above makes an interesting read. Some is accurate, some is not. Chris Pye was my direct boss and spent the entire campaign on Ascension. I was OC ASF to his OC MEAS and therefore in his absence, lead the Waddington team, including the design and build for both Martel and subsequently Shrike. By then I had been a Flt Lt for 5 minutes, or thereabouts. There is a picture of the team on the net. I can be seen back right.
If you would like some more on what really happened, I would be happy to oblige. Group Captain Roy Pickerill OBE RAF Retired. Roy.pickerill@gmail.com
By happy coincidence, I am writing this from the Falklands, visiting in my role as Director responsible for Helicopter operations here. COVID and Commander British Forces permitting, I hope to back in May for the 40th Anniversary to deliver a talk about the refuelling reactivation, pylons and missiles aspects of the pivotal Vulcan contribution. Others can then judge if that results in an improved record.
regards
Roy
The above makes an interesting read. Some is accurate, some is not. Chris Pye was my direct boss and spent the entire campaign on Ascension. I was OC ASF to his OC MEAS and therefore in his absence, lead the Waddington team, including the design and build for both Martel and subsequently Shrike. By then I had been a Flt Lt for 5 minutes, or thereabouts. There is a picture of the team on the net. I can be seen back right.
If you would like some more on what really happened, I would be happy to oblige. Group Captain Roy Pickerill OBE RAF Retired. Roy.pickerill@gmail.com
By happy coincidence, I am writing this from the Falklands, visiting in my role as Director responsible for Helicopter operations here. COVID and Commander British Forces permitting, I hope to back in May for the 40th Anniversary to deliver a talk about the refuelling reactivation, pylons and missiles aspects of the pivotal Vulcan contribution. Others can then judge if that results in an improved record.
regards
Roy
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I wish they'd of upgraded about 10 of them and rotated a half dozen on active duty. Super good looking design. Roomy interior. Plenty of room to enhance their capabilities. Give it modern engines that could sip on petrol for longer flights, maybe even drop it down to two larger engines during an overhaul. Could easily have been something similar to what the USA uses B-1B for today.
I was reading through the official RAF Narrative of the Falklands Conflict (it's a very interesting document if you're interested in the Falklands War). One of the sections discusses modifications made to the Avro Vulcan during the conflict; it seems to imply that they were able to successfully install AIM-9G Sidewinders onto the aircraft (making use of the Martel / Shrike pylons), but ultimately decided not to use them. Does anyone know anything about this, or better yet have any photos of it happening? This is the first time I've heard a reliable source talking about Sidewinders being fitted to a Vulcan.
It was done with Nimrods so I wouldn't be surprised if it was also considered for Vulcans.
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When I did a Top 12 Tankers for Hush-kit, (https://hushkit.net/2022/12/09/top-12-tanker-aircraft/) I pondered whether a Hercules had ever been fitted with Sidewinders (or other AAM).
Anybody come across such a plan?
Chris
Anybody come across such a plan?
Chris
Haven't seen any cases. that said, it would probably be possible. After all they have hung Hellfire's and other weapons under the wings and have also put sidewinders on P-3s...
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I remember reading in a book of mine that a Vulcan was used as a testbed for the Mauser BK-27 cannon, is there any information to suggest this?
(I'll post more info later on, as I am currently out at the moment)
(I'll post more info later on, as I am currently out at the moment)
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The BK-27 firing trial was in connection with the RB.199 nacelle fitted to XA903.
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Thanks!
Are there any photos of the cannon firing?
Are there any photos of the cannon firing?
For those on FB. I have a compilation album of images relating to XA894 ... https://m.facebook.com/groups/1552047355107532/permalink/2489996291312629/
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