Vulcan Q&A

"You could get a great deal of Cypriot Brandy in the bomb bay"

RAF Navigator Mike Looseley spills the beans on life in the thunderous Vulcan nuclear bomber.

“Delivering nuclear weapons was the job. RAF aircrew have many qualities but sensitivity is probably not one. We were not stupid; we knew what business we were in, but we didn't agonise over it. The government had given us a job to do, and we were damned well going to do it to the best of our ability. “

Describe the Vulcan in three words

Brutal. British. Bomber

What was the best feature of the Vulcan?

Aerodynamics giving manoeuvrability

…and the worst?

Rear crew escape

Agility?

Outstanding

Ceiling and performance at height

Outstanding. We were limited to the mid-40s because of crew oxygen system limitations. Those who chose to ignore that limit went well into the 50s where we could outturn any fighter of the era.

Low-level performance

Manoeuvrable but slow. I can't remember the speeds we trained at, but the "once only operational" speed limit was 415 kts. This was well below even the cruise speed of fighters of the era.

Ease of landing and take-off

I was a navigator, so not best placed to answer, but it didn't seem to give the pilots any problems.

The weapons aiming system, entirely done from the back of the aircraft was amazing for its era. I have heard it described as the world's high point of analogue computing. At low level, using no visual cues, a good crew could place a bomb within 250 feet. My specialist subject!

VRT Collection

How did you feel about the idea of delivering nuclear weapons? Is it something you dwelt on?

Delivering nuclear weapons was the job. RAF aircrew have many qualities but sensitivity is probably not one. We were not stupid; we knew what business we were in, but we didn't agonise over it. The government had given us a job to do, and we were damned well going to do it to the best of our ability. And we sincerely believed that deterrence worked and that the better we were at our job, the less likely we were to have to do it.

Where were you based with the Vulcan?

Waddington. 50 and 44 Sqns

How would you describe the cockpit?

Unpleasant. Dark, cramped and noisy. The rear crew position was once described as "a coal mine with switches.”

Did crews build close relationships? Did you generally fly with same crew?

Yes. The crew concept was fundamental to the Vulcan force as it had been to the World War Two bomber force. We almost always flew as a crew. We socialised together, our wives and girlfriends looked after each other when we were away, and the crew was as strong as its weakest member. Some crews "worked" and some didn't. It was a bit of a mystery

What advice would you have given to a new Vulcan pilot?

Pick a good rear crew and look after them!

What was your most memorable mission?

Night Red Flag. 600 ft low level at night using TFR over the Nevada desert. The Americans were astonished. Full story here.

What did Vulcan crews think of Victor crews?

Brothers in arms, really. It was only the fast jet fraternity that took the piss.

Tell me something I don't know about the Vulcan

You could get a great deal of Cypriot Brandy in the bomb bay

What should I have asked you?

"Can you remember your war targets?"

"Yes"

"Are you going to tell me what they were?"

"No"