Military Model Scene

Title: Avro Vulcan B.Mk2
Author: David W. Fildes
Publisher: Key Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-80282-268-7

'A Place in History, 1960 - 84', Vol 19 in the Historic Military Aircraft series from Key publishing, distributed by Pen & Sword. A 96-page soft-cover book, and the second in the series to focus on the fabulous Vulcan, this one covering the later years of it in service in particular.
There are 27 main sections in the book, a few of which are split into further sub-sections. There are too many to simply list here but just to give you an idea, they include the many changes made to the aircraft over the years as it evolved to take on different roles from the high level nuclear bomber that it was originally designed to meet. At the start, along with some background on the Avro company, there is detail on the modifications applied to the B.Mk 2, with the changed leading edge and much more. The new version went into production, had new ECM equipment, more powerful engines and so on. There is detail on the Blue Stell missile, which was carried by the Vulcan, and planned modifications to it which were cancelled. Skybolt was another missile intended to equip the Vulcan, but which was also cancelled, though the pylon fittings were to come in handy later on. It went on to have a major change in role as it was switched to low level operations, which also led to the application of camouflage. Add assistance with engine testing for Concorde even before we get to the Vulcan reaching 25 years in service, even before we get to the involvement in the Falklands War, dropping conventional bombs. As well as fitting extra fuel tanks, there was also an air refuelling conversion. As well as many archive photos, there are also a lot of drawings/diagrams showing things like the new flying control layout, fuel tank, navigation and ECM equipment plus lots more. Even a list of Vulcan production is included, as well as a list of surviving airframes and where to find them.
There are many great fans of the fabulous delta winged bomber, all of us sad when the last one was forced to retire from the air show circuit. Fortunately there are plenty that have been preserved in museums, and some do enable visitors to have a look inside the cockpit. For all those fans, and I think for modellers especially, this very reasonably priced book is a great little reference, with great detail. For all the Vulcan fans out there, I'd certainly recommend this one.
Thanks to Pen & Sword, distributors for the Key Publishing series, for this review copy.

Robin