ALL HAIL THE
‘TIN TRIANGLE’
Airfix Model World’s August cover date issue has a stunning build of Trumpeter’s 1/144 Vulcan B.2. For extra inspiration why not revel in these splendid images from the Key Collection ̶ which offer handy airframe and finishing references.
Above: Vulcan B.2 XM575 of 44 Squadron lands at RAF Waddington, displaying extended airbrakes. The uppermost badge on the vertical tail is the city of Lincoln coat of arms.
Above: Above: By Royal Appointment! This Vulcan B.2, XL392, was flown by HRH the Prince of Wales on July 27, 1971, as the door lettering attests. Useful modelling details include the hydraulic brake line running up the side of the nose undercarriage leg, and how dirt gathers around rivets and then works its way backwards with the airflow.
Above: 230 Operational Conversion Unit Vulcan B.2 XL388 seen during a publicity flight. It appears to have received the nose section of another Vulcan with white underside paint. XL388 was fitted with Olympus 201 engines, then 301s, and served with the OCU four times during its career, along with 9 and 617 Squadrons.
Above: While the employment of the American AGM-45 Shrike anti-radiation missile on Vulcans during the Falklands is well known, less so is the fact that the British AS.37 Martel, shown here, was also considered for Falklands sorties... but not used operationally.
Above: The twin AGM-45 Shrike fit as employed by B.2 XM597. On the second anti-radar 'Black Buck' sortie, two Shrikes were launched and obliterated an Argentine Skyguard radar unit at Port Stanley.
Above: Second in line here, Vulcan B.2 XJ783 was completed in March 1961 and in the same month joined 83 Squadron. Note that it has the clean vertical tail top; no ECM gear was fitted at that stage.
Above: A Blue Steel missile sits recessed under the belly of B.2 XM572 early in its operational life. This aircraft eventually gained an in-flight refuelling probe and tail-top ECM fairings, and ended its service with 9 Squadron in 1982.
Above: A stylised 35 Squadron badge on the tail of B.2 XL443 confirms this photo as being taken after January 1975, when '443 returned to the UK from the Akrotiri Wing, Cyprus. The camouflage is Dark Green and Medium Sea Grey over white.
Above: Vulcan XH537 was one of two airframes that flew from Woodford on Skybolt missile trials, and here it carries one of these weapons under each wing. ‘537 was eventually converted to B.2 (MMR) format in 1978, receiving air sampling pod modifications. Note that Skybolts in 1/72 scale are available from Black Dog and Aircraft in Miniature (Transport Wings).
Above: The Vulcan could carry 21 1,000lb bombs, as demonstrated here. The bombs attached to Seven Store Carriers, which were positioned in line. Note the arming vanes at the rear of the tail units on these weapons.
Above: Port main undercarriage unit on the famous B.2 XH558.
Trumpeter’s 1/144 kit of the Vulcan B.2 is a great option if 1/72 version is too big for you to handle or display, and it features in the August cover date issue of Airfix Model World (AMW129). However, if you’re eagerly awaiting Airfix’s new 1/72 tooling ̶ built in the March issue (AMW124) – the kit should be available later this year.
Kits from Trumpeter are available in the UK by importer Bachmann Europe: www.bachmann.co.uk
For further details on Airfix's Vulcan visit: www.airfix.com
