Avro Vulcan B.2
Avro · United Kingdom · first flew 1957 · bomber
The Vulcan B.2 introduced a kinked compound-delta wing of greater area and span, improving high-altitude performance and accommodating more powerful Olympus engines and a new electronic warfare suite.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, delta |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × turbojet, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 30.5 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | No tailplane |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Kinked leading edge — the sweep angle changes at mid-span, giving the wing a distinctive double-curve or 'compound delta' outline when viewed from above or below
- Larger wing area and greater span than the B.1; the kinked leading edge is clearly visible as a change in angle roughly two-thirds along the leading edge
- Enlarged engine intakes with a more complex oval-rectangular lip profile to feed the more powerful Olympus 200/300 series engines
The kinked leading edge is the definitive identifier — look for the change in sweep angle at mid-span; against the B.1 the B.2 also appears broader and more imposing from the front quarter due to the larger overall wing area.
Specifications
- The Avro Vulcan B.2 has a length of 30.5 m (100 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 33.8 m (111 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1038 km/h (645 mph).
- Typical crew: 5.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Entering service in 1960, the B.2 formed the core of Britain's airborne nuclear deterrent until Polaris submarines took over in 1969. It then transitioned to low-level penetration strike, receiving terrain-following radar and camouflage paint. The B.2 achieved its most famous operational use in the 1982 Falklands War, flying the longest bombing raids in history at that time.
Variants
The B.2A introduced the Skybolt missile pylons (later removed); the MRR (Maritime Radar Reconnaissance) variant served into the mid-1980s.
Where you'll see it
XH558 flew as the world's last airworthy Vulcan until 2015 and is now statically preserved at Doncaster Sheffield Airport's Vulcan to the Sky Trust. B.2 airframes are displayed at the RAF Museum Cosford, Newark Air Museum, and several other UK sites.
Related aircraft
- Avro Vulcan
- Avro Vulcan B.1
- Avro Shackleton
- Avro Lancastrian
- Beriev Be-10
- Blackburn Buccaneer
- Blackburn Buccaneer S.1
- Convair B-58 Hustler
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