Introduction

With the evolution of air launched nuclear missiles it became more apparent that housing such missiles within a bomb bay would lead to much larger aircraft requirements, the alternative was to hang the weapons under the aircraft on pylons, this had multiple benefits not least the size of the aircraft was significantly reduced and the space that would normally have made up the bomb bay could be used for fuel instead.

RJ teamed up with Avro and redesigned the Vulcan to be roughly 75% the size of the B.2 variant, this combined with reducing the engines to two, the crew from 5 to 2 and using space that was previously a bomb bay on the Vulcan as a fuel tank lead to an interesting aircraft. It was lighter, slightly faster, more manoeuverable, cheaper but yet still had approximately the same range and the ability to carry a variety of underslung ordinance. Using two of the same engines the Vulcan was already using but with the added benefit of reheat.

Armed with an evolution of the Skybolt missile (itself evolved to be smaller and more compact - nuclear or conventional warhead capable) this standoff missile can sink ships / destroy bases from long range.

Takeoff rotation speed is slightly high at approx 230mph, landing speed is similar (half-quarter trim up flairs it in nicely).

Controls

AG1 - start the engines
AG2 - airbrakes
AG3/4 - arm weapons
AG8 - close canopy

Pictures

On the runway

Cockpit - pilot and nav/weapons operator

Takeoff

Missiles away

Return to base

Enjoy