Video: Victor Restoration at Duxford

[FlyTexas]

I always assumed that the Victor had a large fuel tank fitted into its bomb bay for refueling purposes. For me it makes the Victor's role in Operation Black Buck all the more impressive.
https://youtu.be/dDOzI9uWH9E

Brian

[Kevin Farnell]

Thanks Brian, very interesting.

With regard to the bomb bay being fitted with fuel tanks, I believe this applies to the Victor K2. The Victor at Duxford is a BK1 according to the video (only 6 ever built and Duxford's is the last remaining) and retained it's bomb bay. The aircraft used in OPERATION BLACK BUCK were K2's with 3 point refuelling and tanks in the bomb bay. Even so, the BLACK BUCK raids were still incredibly impressive especially considering the technology and navigation systems available at the time. Further information on the H.P. Victor can be found here -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handley_Page_Victor

If anyone wants to read an in depth review of OPERATION BLACK BUCK, then I highly recommend Vulcan 607 by Rowland White. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it is easily the best book I have ever read!

Note - I used upper case for the operation name as this is always how the MOD and UK armed forces write them.

Kevin

[Paul K]

Months away from completion, after four years work - that's much quicker than the original estimate. Maybe it's because the internal corrosion was less than feared, as mentioned in the video regarding the bomb bay. I've heard she'll go in the AirSpace hangar, with some smaller aircraft moved to other hangars. I don't think IWM will want to sacrifice the empty portion of the hangar, as that earns them a lot of money as a venue.

The famous (and slightly doctored) photo of XH648:

[FlyTexas]

Thanks for the info, Kevin.

Brian

[TSR2]

Great find Brian, and my favourite aircraft. HP hit a winner with the Victor.

I really need to go to Duxford.

[GHD]

I still like the Vulcan.