The "V bombers" were the Royal Air Force (RAF) aircraft during the 1950s and 1960s that comprised the United Kingdom's strategic nuclear strike force known officially as the V force or Bomber Command Main Force.

In its early years, the British V bomber force relied on the concept of aircraft dispersal to escape the effects of an enemy attack on their main bases. There were 22 such bases in 1962, in addition to the ten main bases a total of 32 bases available for the V bomber force. [1]

The Vickers Valiant was a British high-altitude jet bomber designed to carry nuclear weapons, and in the 1950s and 1960s was part of the Royal Air Force's "V bomber" strategic deterrent force. It was developed by Vickers-Armstrongs in response to Specification B.35/46 issued by the Air Ministry for a nuclear-armed jet-powered bomber.

Jan 7, 2024 · The V bombers, including the Vickers Valiant, Handley Page Victor, and Avro Vulcan, were key to Britain's nuclear deterrent force. The Vickers Valiant was the only bomber of the three to drop live nuclear weapons and was retired by 1965.

Jan 31, 2024 · From the late 1950s until April 1969, Britain's independent nuclear deterrent was provided by the RAF's V-Bomber fleet. Why did V-bomber pilots have ejection seats but the rear-seat crew did not?

Nov 28, 2017 · As ‘V bombers’ began arriving at RAF bases around the UK, the new squadrons went into immediate high alert. As the Fylingdales radar scanned the skies for ballistic missiles, the procedure was for two hundred V-bombers to be in the air within four minutes: before the Soviet missiles landed.

Britain’s V-bomber force was militarily capable in the main of getting in the air in time in the scenario of a Soviet nuclear attack We must now turn our attention to the V-bombers on the ground and their ability to get airborne in a ‘worst case scenario’ in order to credibly carry out the deterrent threat The V-bombers, Vulcan, Victor ...

Oct 18, 2019 · With the delivery of the first ‘Blue Danube’ atomic bombs to RAF Wittering in 1953, the RAF became the guardian of the British nuclear deterrent. For the next sixteen years, it held this role, one that was a defining feature of RAF operations through the late 1950s and 1960s.

May 25, 2015 · The V Bomber Force was the nickname given to Britain’s three bombers during the Cold War that were capable of delivering nuclear bombs and formed part of Britain’s nuclear deterrent. The V Bomber Force was made up of the Vickers Valiant, the Avro Vulcan and the Handley Page Victor.

Dec 24, 2019 · Despite its excellent range (combat radius of 810 miles, ferry range of over 3000 miles), it was not the strategic bomber deterrent the RAF was looking for. Enter the “V” bombers, strategic jet bombers meant to take the (nuclear) fight to the enemy in the enemy’s homeland.