Handley Page Victor

Handley Page · United Kingdom · first flew 1952 · bomber

The third of Britain's V-bombers, recognisable for its crescent wing and high T-tail, which ended its days as an RAF tanker.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, swept
E — Engines	4 × turbojet, embedded-mounted
F — Fuselage	35 m fuselage
T — Tail	T-tail

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Spot it by:

Distinctive crescent wing with sweep decreasing along the span
Four engines buried in pairs in the wing roots
High T-tail and a deep curved nose with a bombing radome

The crescent wing and high T-tail distinguish it instantly from the other V-bombers. Unlike the delta Vulcan or the conventional Valiant, its wing sweep visibly reduces from root to tip and the tailplane sits atop the fin.

Specifications

The Handley Page Victor has a length of 35 m (115 ft).
It has a wingspan of 36.6 m (120 ft).
Its maximum speed is 1030 km/h (640 mph).
Typical crew: 5.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Handley Page's HP.80 first flew in 1952 and entered RAF service in 1958 as part of the airborne nuclear deterrent, its crescent wing tailored to maintain performance across the speed range. Withdrawn from the bombing role in the 1960s, it was rebuilt as an air-to-air refuelling tanker that served into the 1990s.

Variants

The B.1 bomber was followed by the larger, more powerful B.2 with a greater span and bulged wing roots. Many were converted to K.1 and K.2 tankers and a few to SR.2 strategic-reconnaissance aircraft.

Where you'll see it

A core RAF V-bomber, the Victor shared the nuclear deterrent role with the Valiant and Vulcan before becoming the RAF's principal tanker, famously refuelling the Vulcans on the Black Buck raids during the 1982 Falklands War.

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