Warplanes of the UK: Vickers Valiant

Vickers Valiant

(Umeyou Photo)

Vickers Valiant (Serial No. XD873), No. 207 Squadron RAF.

The Vickers Valiant was a British high-altitude jet bomber designed to carry nuclear weapons, and in the 1950s and 1960s was part of the Royal Air Force's "V bomber" strategic deterrent force. It was developed by Vickers-Armstrongs in response to Specification B.35/46 issued by the Air Ministry for a nuclear-armed jet-powered bomber. The Valiant was the first of the V bombers to become operational, and was followed by the Handley Page Victor and the Avro Vulcan. The Valiant is the only V bomber to have dropped live nuclear weapons (for test purposes). In 1956, Valiants operating from Malta flew conventional bombing missions over Egypt for Operation Musketeer during the Suez Crisis.

From 1956 until early 1966 the main Valiant force was used in the nuclear deterrence role in the confrontation between NATO and the Warsaw Pact powers. Other squadrons undertook aerial refuelling, aerial reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare.In 1962, in response to advances in Soviet Union surface-to-air missile (SAM) technology, the V-force fleet including the Valiant changed from high-level flying to flying at low-level to avoid high altitude SAM attacks. In 1964 it was found that Valiants showed fatigue and crystalline corrosion in wing rear spar attachment forgings. In late 1964 a repair programme was underway, but a change of Government led to the new Minister of Defence Denis Healey deciding that the Valiant should be retired from service, and this happened in early 1965. The Victor and Vulcan V-bombers remained in service until the 1980s. (Wikipedia)

(SDASM Photo)

Vickers Valiant (Serial No. WZ397).

(Andywebby Photo)

Vickers Valiant B1 (Serial No. XD818), flown by Kenneth Hubbard during Operation Grapple, RAF Museum Cosford.

Adrian Pingstone Photo)

Vickers Valiant V Bomber at Bristol Filton Airport, southwest England. Likely early 1960s.

(RAF Photo)

Three aircraft from RAF Wyton on 28 August 1959. Leading the trio is Victor B.1(Serial No. XA935), with Valiant B(PR).1 (Serial No. WZ391) of No. 543 Squadron and a Canberra PR.7 (possibly Serial No. WJ815) of No. 58 Squadron RAF.

(RAF Photo)

Handley Page Victor, Vickers Valiant, Avro Vulcan in formation.

(Umeyou Photo)

Vickers Valiant B.2 (Serial No. WJ954). First flown on 4 September 1953.

(RuthAS Photo)

Vickers Valiant BK.1 (Serial No. XD816), No. 214 Squadron RAF at RAF Abingdon in 1968.

(RuthAS Photo)

Vickers Valiant B.1 (Serial No. 393), of No. 90 Squadron displaying at Blackpool Squires Gate airport.