Vickers Valiant – Has she been forgotten?

Welcome once again to the #twitterVforce website and the blog area of the site. This latest blog is solely dedicated to the Vickers Type 660 – better known as the Valiant.

Thanks go out to Amy for her research and to Andy Crowcroft for the images of the sole remaining complete Valiant at RAF Museum, Cosford –  XD818.

If you like what you read, why not have a look and sign up to our forum, which is the only one dedicated to the V Force.

Rod

The Forgotten V Bomber?

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 The Vickers Valiant was the first British bomber to have dropped a nuclear bomb, and that itself is a huge chunk of history, so has the Valiant become forgotten?

 

I, myself, know absolutely nothing about the Valiant, which is absolutely terrible considering I am a huge V Force fan. I had been told to do my homework, and research about the Valiant. That’s why I’m writing this, I’ve done my homework and I’m here to talk about what I’ve learnt.

Vickers Valiant XD818 is the only fully intact Valiant left in the world; she is also the very Valiant that dropped the UK’s first nuclear bomb. She was first flown on 4th September 1956, and she was delivered to 49 squadron at RAF Wittering on 14th November 1956. She was one of 8 Valiants to have been modified by Vickers for Operation Grapple – The testing of the nuclear bomb drop. Modifications include, anti-flash curtains inside the cockpit and cameras mounted upon her bomb bay to record the drop. She was flown out to Christmas Island in March 1957 and dropped the bomb on 15th May 1957. The drop had been codenamed ‘Short Granite’. She was later flown back home to Britain in 1958 where she resumed to normal duties and was stripped of her ‘Operation Grapple’ modifications in November 1959. She was later converted into a BK.1 Tanker and repainted to a green and grey camouflage scheme in 1961. She was sadly grounded in December 1964, alongside every other Valiant in service due to spar fatigue issues that had been discovered, XD818 was the last of the Valiants used in a refuelling sortie, she had refuelled English Electric Lightnings over the North Sea.. Repairs on Valiants had been deemed uneconomical and by January 1965 XD818 had been withdrawn from use and was heading for the scrap heap. However, she escaped scrapping after being spotted by a lover of history, and she was placed on exhibition at RAF Marham in May 1965. Later on in 1973 her Avon engines were removed and sold on to be used in Hunters. XD818 was transported to Hendon and shortly after her arrival she was repainted to her original anti-flash white roots. She took her final trip to RAF Cosford (RAF Museum) in late 2005, she was dismantled for the move to Cosford and spent several weeks awaiting re-assembly. She was finally re-assembled in early 2006 and now lives comfortably in the Cold War Exhibition Hangar at RAF Cosford.

Vickers Valiant XD818 at RAF Marham in 1970

Vickers Valiant XD818 at RAF Marham in 1970

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Valiants during conflict – The Suez Crisis –

 

During the late months of 1956, conflict had erupted over the Suez Canal (Gaza Strip and Egypt). Egypt had announced its intentions to nationalise the Suez Canal. The Egyptians had taken control of the Suez Canal, causing conflict between itself (Egypt), Israel, France and the United Kingdom, this conflict meant that the Vickers Valiant became the first of the V Bombers to have seen combat, there were 7 primary targets, all being Egyptian airfields. Only 3 of the 7 were seriously damaged, with the Valiants having dropped a total of 856 Tonnes in bombs. This was the last time a V Bomber flew a war mission until a certain Mr. Withers bombed Port Stanley airfield in ‘607.

tn1

 

On January 24th, my good friend, co-worker, and fellow #twitterVforce guest blogger, Andy Crowcroft took a trip to RAF Cosford, where he visited XD818. He’s the only person that I personally know to have seen her in the flesh, so decided I would ask him some questions about his visit and his other thoughts on the Valiant!

 

Q. Hello, Andy! You’re the only person I know who has come face to face with XD818. First of all I’d like to ask, how did it feel seeing the only fully intact Valiant (in the world!) in the flesh?

 

A. Hi Amy, to be honest it seemed a bit surreal, she was the main reason for my visit to Cosford and not what I expected, she looked different to how I imagined and sat next to the Vulcan and Victor she did not disappoint!

 

Q. Awesome! Is she bigger than you imagined? I always imagined Valiants to be quite small but after seeing your pictures, she looks like a big bird!

 

A. She was a lot bigger than I thought, quite long if I’m honest, more like a charter plane we have today, with quite a rounded shape at the front.

 

Q. How did it feel to have finally seen a Valiant in front of you?

 

A. Amazing, I think the biggest thing was realising that she is the last fully intact Valiant on the face of the planet, it (the visit) had also completed my mission of seeing all 3 V Force bombers, not to mention XD818 is the only V Bomber to drop nuclear bomb and I was stood next to her.

 

Q. Nice! Moving away from Cosford now, what is your personal view on the Valiant itself?

 

A. Strangely I don’t know as much as I’d like to know about them, but from research I find it a shame that these planes are pretty much forgotten to people, I think the fact they were pulled out if service so early makes them a distant memory, personally I love them, they were built to guard us during the Cold War and that’s what they did.

 

Q. Do you think that there is a lack of information when it comes to the Valiant that’s leading them to be known as the ‘Forgotten V Bomber’?

 

A. Yes, I think the main problem was the fact that as tactics changed and the RAF decided to fly them at low levels, the Valiant couldn’t cope and the wings would crack, so as a result they were pulled from service too early, I kind of guess this has a big part to play, and the fact there is only one left fully built kind of leaves people unaware.

 

Q. Exactly, they were pulled due to their spar fatigue. What’s your opinion on all Valiants being led to the scrapping fleet?

 

A. It’s sad, I hate hearing about the scrapping of any plane, but for me the Cold War jets are the best of British engineering, what people need to understand is that these planes were made in the late 40’s which makes only a few years (11 years max.) from the design of the Lancaster Bomber, on that I think there should be more Valiants around the world.

 

 

Q. Do you think scrapping could have been avoided?

 

A. Yes, to a certain extent, the only downside was time, there wasn’t the money or interest to keep the Valiants, so I guess the government looked and thought of money, then decided to scrap them as they were no longer required.

 

Q. I completely agree. Do you think that Vulcans, such examples like XH558, have taken away the limelight from Valiants?

 

A. I think the difference between the two are the designs, what people always talk about with the Vulcan is the shape and wing span, which I do agree with, as this was a new way of technology and manoeuvrability, so yes more people are familiar with The Delta lady.

 

 

Q. I agree, as she’s a bit more modern than the Valiant, people do tend to become more smitten towards XH558, as well as the fact that she’s the only flying Vulcan. What do you think would be the best approach to promote Valiants?

 

A. That’s the big thing, we have no flying examples, and things may well have been different then. With regards to promoting Valiants, I think the best way would have to be through Cosford, I always add into my tours that she is the last complete Valiant and is worth the trip to see. Also through using the #twitterVforce forum to spread the word.

 

Q. Excellent! Exactly, that’s what #twitterVforce is for! It’s great that you add her into your tour talks for XH558 too! How did you become interested in aviation, more specifically, V Bombers?

 

A. It’s a strange one, I used to live close to RAF Finningley as a child, and I remember playing football with my mate (aged 10) so, 23 years ago and a Vulcan flew over, I remember the noise and this big shadow. Then last year my friend told me about Waddington Air Show and I saw XH558 was flying so we went, but she didn’t fly. I then found out she was at based at RHADS, so I went see her fly from there, from then onwards I’ve been totally hooked, and now really enjoy doing tours for XH558 and talking about the V Force.

 

Q. It’s the worst when you go to a show to watch her fly and she doesn’t, happened 3 times to me! How did it make you feel when she flew overhead (when you were younger)?

 

A. She scared the life out of me, the size and roar of those engines, I mean I’ve seen planes before, my first memory being an A10 tank buster on Flamborough Head but the Vulcan has always been in the back of my mind from that experience.

 

Q. She scared me too, the first time I saw her! She sure does know how to make an impression! Okay, finally back to the Valiant. Are there any final words you’d like to say about the Valiant?

 

A. Hand on heart, if you have the chance to get to Cosford please go and check out XD818, you’ll be surprised, after all the Valiant was part of a team that watched over us during the Cold War and kept us safe.

 

Final words: Fabulous. Thank you for your time and answering all my questions!

 

I would personally like to thank Andy Crowcroft for sparing an hour of his time to answer my questions. Don’t forget if you’re visiting the hangar, say hello to Andy, you might even get to hear one of his fabulous tour talks! I would also like to thank him for the use of his photos.

 

Back to XD818, I find it really sad that she is the only fully intact example of a Valiant left in the world, she’s beautiful and breathtaking, and it’s nice to have such a rare form of beauty but there’s still a part of me that wishes we had more of them, so that we can enjoy more of them, and so that we could treasure them.

 

Yes, we have surviving nose and cockpit sections but that’s not the same for me, unfortunately. I understand that Valiants were taken out of service very, very early; however, I still don’t understand how more of them weren’t saved.

 

Why weren’t they found as interesting as the Vulcan or Victor? They dropped the bomb, they’re very unique and interesting to look at, and they seemingly also make an impression. So what is so unappealing to the public and aviation enthusiasts?

 

I wish that there were more people around like Andy Crowcroft, myself and other members of the #twitterVforce team, people who are passionate about aviation, more specifically V Bombers and even more specifically, Valiants.

 

Before writing this I was prepared to say that Valiants were completely forgotten, but after talking to Rod and interviewing Andy, I realised that they are very much treasured and loved, even if it is only by a few people. They are slowly being forgotten but with the help of #twitterVforce I feel that the Valiants are very much being kept alive.

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Personally, I love the Valiant. Even though I have only just learnt about them, it was very silly have to have waited so long to read about them and research their history. I missed out on something great.

 

Amy.

tVf

 

Comments: 12

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  • Great article and interview. Well done Amy

     
     
     
  • Excellent article. I have the pleasure of living within easy drive of Cosford RAF Museum and it is well worth a visit. The Valiant sits among her “V family” and it is only when you see them displayed together of that you get a sense of scale and power these machines must have possessed in their operational life. It is sad to see them gathering dust in museums, but at least they are safe there and their place in history preserved for many more years to come.

     
     
     
  • Thank you, Pieter. 🙂

    Thank you, Richard! Ah, see I live quite far away but I really hope to visit at some point. She’s such a lovely aircraft, just seems a really shame that not many people remember Valiants! It’s also a shame that we don’t have any flying examples but I’d honestly rather see them in a museum than on the scrap heap, and like you say Richard, their place in history is being preserved there. 🙂

    Amy

     
     
     
  • Great article and I’ve got up close to the Valiant at Cosford a few times. Your right about it’s lack of image due to the Vulcan and Victor being more prolific,we know we will never see one take off or even fast taxi like the Victor and Vulcan but….she’s still there in the flesh,so to speak and you can get as close as you want to see her. The museum have done a great job in preserving this aircraft for all to see and to experience the Valiant up close is quite something. Well worth the trip to RAF Cosford a great day out and loads to see and do.

     
     
     
  • The Valiant has the look of its time, a similarity to the Comet and the Canberra. The wing fatigue problem was comparable in some ways to that which caused the Comet to be grounded.

     
     
     
  • Gary

    Nice article.
    Intrestingly enough, Vickers did actually produce a mark 2 Valiant.
    Research “The Black Valiant”.
    This plane had behind the wing blisters (akin to what Russian bombers have) to house their landing gear. This means the wing is much stronger because it doesn’t have large void to house a wheel.
    The mark 2 Valiant was slightly larger and had a better fuel range.
    The mark 2 was designed as a low level bomber.
    Unfortunately in the 1950’s no-one thought low level flying would be relevant anymore and the mark 2 got canned. After the Gary Powers U-2 incident everyone realised that high level flight would be suicidal and low level flight WOULD be required.
    The black Valiant (mark 2) would have been perfect for this – even better than the Vulcan!
    So Vickers did at least have some foresight!
    Thanks

     
     
     
  • Carey

    I visited Cosford on the memorable day of 11th Nov 2014, mainly to see the Dornier 17 being restored after its recovery from the Goodwin Sands. However, I visited the museum for the first time and saw the Valiant in her white plumage. As a youngster, some of my ATC squadron (No. 86), including me, where photographed with a Valiant on our visit to RAF Marham on 22 July 1974. We’re arrayed under her right wing. So, I thought I would do some investigation and found your blog. Of course, it turns out that they are one and the same aircraft, though at that time she was painted in her camouflage colours (unfortunately the photo is in B&W). So, this was a bit of a revelation and with your research, I know a lot more about her than I ever expected. Wonderful!

     
     
     
  • geoff lawrence

    geoff lawrence
    thought you may be interested to know that i spent many hours during late 1956 and early 1957 working on valiant xd818 at RAF wittering. ie preparing her electrically for the dropping of the atom bomb in pacific near christmas island

     
     
     
  • Anthony Pearson

    Having only just come onto your site after inquiring as to why we hear so little about the Valiant, it now becomes clear that because of the main spar cracks that first appeared in 1960 and the subsequent withdrawal from service under the new Labour Government in 1964, the two remaining V bombers went on to continue in its support role for the next 20 odd years of the cold war. During my time at RAF Marham as a member of 214 Squadron 1956/61 we were to see our role change from front-line delivery after the Suez Crisis, to support role by converting all of the 10 Valiants into tankers and receivers, (air-to- air refueling) which became necessary in order to continue with the long-range requirements to deliver atomic bombs further afield than across Europe and into Russia. A special case in mind being the Cuban missile crisis, which, thankfully, came to an abrupt end when Nikita Krushchev decided to withdraw. Now in my late seventies, I am interested to hear that
    such a fine aircraft as the Vickers Valiant, for which I now declare to be ranked my favourite of the three, should live on amongst so many enthusiasts.

     
     
     
  • Extremely good style and style and wonderful subject matter, quite little else we want : D.

     
     
     
  • Wonderful narrative which gives due credit to the Valiant as a truly superb piece of British engineering. I served on Valiants 1963/64 at 232 OCU RAF Gaydon, up to the time when WP 217 returned from a sortie over North Wales …with a broken starboard rear spar.

    The Valiant was the ‘first’ of the V bombers and was giving valuable service when both the Vulcan and Victor were undergoing their development.

    What people seem to fail to appreciate is the massive shift in aeronautical engineering technology that moved forward from aircraft like the Lancaster, Halifax, B29 Super Fortress (Washington) and the Lincoln. The ‘jump’ to the four jet, powered flying control, electrically operated systems and Navigational Bombing System on the Valiant was like a huge time shift!

    People should be encouraged to research the Valiant. It was an electricians aircraft. Its undercarriage retraction system using recirculating ball electrical actuators was a totally new method of operating….. very, very different to the hydraulics used on the other ‘V’s’
    The ‘fully trimmable tailplane on the Valiant was an engineering wonder. In its early days it may have been responsible for at least one crash ….but once sorted out it was brilliant.

    A magnificent aircraft ….. We were all mortified when 217 came back so ‘broken’ and I fully remember the sense of grief we felt when the Air Ministry made the decision not to implement a repair programme, but decided instead to scrap the whole fleet. Criminal injustice that was!

     
     
     
  • Garry O'Keefe

    Hi Alistair, As you know the Valiant set many records and tested many systems of the V’s for its later sisters and I’m trying to preserve some memories of people who flew or serviced the aircraft so I would be grateful if I could use your comments in a small book I am writing on the aircraft. I’d like memories not just of pilots but ground crews and any other servers who were touched by this special Vickers product.

    Regards, G O’Keefe

     
     
     
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