"The Delta Lady" - Avro Vulcan B2

by Brian Fare

‘The Delta Lady’
Avro Vulcan B2 XH558



The Avro Vulcan is a delta wing subsonic bomber that was operated by the Royal Air Force from 1953 until 1984. The Vulcan, along with the Valiant and Victor was part of the RAF's V bomber force fulfilling the role of nuclear deterrence against the Soviet Union during the Cold War. It was also used in a conventional

bombing role during the Falklands conflict with Argentina in the history making Black Buck raids.



One example, XH558 was recently restored for use in display flights and commemoration of the jets' role in the Falklands Conflict. XH558 / G-VLCN was the twelfth Vulcan B2 built and first flew in 1960 and was delivered to No. 230 Operational Conversion Unit RAF at RAF Waddington on 1 July 1960. It is the only airworthy example of the 134 Avro Vulcan bombers that were operated by the Royal Air Force. Almost immediately the aircraft moved with 230 OCU to RAF Finningley where the aircraft spent some 8 years before returning to Lincolnshire in 1968. The aircraft was converted to a B2(MRR) in 1973 and to an air-to-air refuelling variant K2 in 1982. It was returned to standard B2 configuration in 1985 and was the last Vulcan in service. From 1986 to 1992 it was the RAF's display aircraft.



After service with the Royal Air Force, XH558 was sold to C.Walton Limited and delivered by air to Bruntingthorpe on the 23 March 1993 and is now operated by the Vulcan Operating Company and the Vulcan To The Sky Trust. Since 1993, the new owners have worked hard at maintaining this aircraft in an airworthy condition and on 18th October 2007, XH558 made its first flight since retirement from the Royal Air Force.


Open edition printed on 300 gsm archival quality, acid free white board using lightfast inks.



Overall Print size: 297mm x 420mm