Specialty Press

The Avro Vulcan: A Complete History

by Tim McLelland

Reviewed By Ben Guenther, IPMS #20101

MSRP: $49.95 ISBN: 978-0-85979-127-4 Hard Cover 7.5 x 9.75" 368 pages 250 b&w photos and 20 color drawings Publisher: Crecy Publishing Review copy courtesy of Specialty Press Website: www.specialtypress.com The sub-title is "A Complete History" and so it is. With nine chapters the author presents a thorough examination of the iconic Vulcan – a plane that one automatically recognizes and most admire. The Avro Vulcan was part of the V-bomber force, the British Bomber Command strategic weapon during the Cold War and beyond. The story begins with the Manhattan Project, the birth of the British atomic bomb, the decisions that resulted in the V-bomber aircraft (Victor, Valiant, and Vulcan), and the scale flying Avro 707’s and thru the Vulcan design and development. The author takes you into the early atomic weapon testing and through long duration flights to Australia and New Zealand. "From the Cockpit" Chapter recounts various Cold War drills and what would occur if the Vulcan had to go to war against the USSR and deliver its weapons, as well as what it took to fly the Vulcan - it makes for fascinating reading. Finally, the Falkland War "Black Buck" missions are told with great detail. 250 b&w photos of the Vulcan are presented, on the ground and in the air to tell the story of this aircraft. In addition, pictures of the British nuclear weapons (Blue Danube, Yellow Sun, Red Beard, and WE177B), Blue Steel stand off missile and photos of the "Black Buck" Strike missiles and AN/ALQ-101 pod attachment are provided as extra treats. 20 color profiles and 1/144 scale drawings provide modelers with what they crave for. Four appendixes provide a wealth of detail not to be missed starting with: A Vulcan production list (all 137 aircraft); Vulcan Squadrons, Wings, Bases and Dispersal Airfields; Vulcan losses and the Vulcan B Mk2 Aircrew Manual. This last appendix provides you with everything you would need to know on all the systems (such as how to start the aircraft) and is packed with line drawings of the interior that would be most helpful to modelers. I can highly recommend this book; it is an excellent reference book that will be most useful. I want to thank IPMS/USA and Specialty Press for the opportunity to review this book.