V Bomber deployment 1968 to 1980: Alternatives

[uk 75]

A number of sources suggest that the RAF considered operating Victor B Mk2 and SR2 aircraft in the 70s rather than running on Vulcans, which were expected to phase out in 1971. The withdrawal of the Valiants meant that Victors had to move over to the tanker role and Vulcans were retained after all.


The Valiant would have been a useful aircraft well into the 70s if it had not had fatigue issues. The Mk2 version might have been very useful.


TSR2 was envisaged as a Valiant as well as Canberra replacement. However, withdrawal of Vulcans in 1971 (economically sensible to reduce types in service) would have needed extra TSR2 squadrons or alternatives.


AFVG in this scenario might have been developed to fill the low end (Canberra single bomb).

 

[zen]

I sometimes muse on the mk2 Valient and how it would've allowed development of the sort of systems desired (and ultimately achieved for Tornado) on the TSR.2 and that such automation would obviously permit a reduction of crew on the V-bomber in the interim.

 

[pathology_doc]

Out of interest, and hypothesizing for a moment an all-Victor force, could the Victor as a bomber have flown the Black Buck missions?

I seem to recall that later Black Buck missions were able to use Shrike ARMs because the Vulcan B.2 had hardpoint wiring for the Skybolts it never got. Would the Victor have been able to take the weapon?