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Royal Air Force Museum

The V Force

National Cold War Exhibition

With the advent of nuclear weapons their delivery was pioneered through the use of high altitude aircraft and inter-continental ballistic missiles.

Three British aircraft, the Valiant, Vulcan and Victor, were designed to carry the UK's nuclear deterrent. This is the only place where all three are displayed together. The Valiant is a unique survivor of the earliest nuclear deterrent jet bomber. All three aircraft saw later service in other roles, including acting as air-to-air refuelling tankers and conventional bombers.

Vickers Valiant B1

Vickers Valiant B1

Four-engined swept wing jet bomber. This aircraft is painted white and the national markings have been lightened to provide some measure of protection from the intense flash of a nuclear bomb burst.

Handley Page Victor K2

Handley Page Victor K2

Four engined crescent wing medium jet bomber; distinctive high set swept tail plane; underwing flight refuelling pods, one per wing, outboard of the underwing fuel tanks.

Hawker Siddeley Vulcan B2

Hawker Siddeley Vulcan B2

Four-engined delta wing medium jet bomber. Standard wrap-around low level camouflage with RAF wing and nose roundels.

Visit the National Cold War Exhibition Online