Название: Vickers Valiant: The First of the V-Bombers
Автор(ы): Eric B. Morgan
Издательство: Midland
Серия: Aerofax
Год: 2003
ISBN: 1857801342
Страниц: 130
Язык: English
Формат: PDF
Размер: 84 MB

The Valiant was the shortest lived of the post-war V-bomber force, first flying in 1951 and with production of 104 aircraft ending in 1957 due to the official withdrawal in January, 1965 after investigation had shown that the main wing spars were suffering from metal fatigue. It operated in four versions, the B1 bomber, B(PR)1 bomber/photo-reconnaissance, B(K)1 flight refueling tanker and B(PR)K1 covering all three roles. Additionally, several aircraft were modified for a variety of special roles. The all-black B2 low-level pathfinder bomber was flown as a prototype in 1953. Valiants participated in British atomic bomb tests and made noteworthy long-distance flights, principally operating from Marham and Gaydon. In a change of task shortly before retirement, the aircraft were painted in a camouflage scheme better suited to their new low-level penetration role. Also includes a full listing of each aircraft history.