Airmanship Knowledge Learning Outcome 3 Part 7 Historic Aircraft Revision 2.00 Uncontrolled copy not subject to amendment

Airmanship Knowledge Learning Outcome 3 Know the aircraft in service with the Royal Air Force

Contents Historic Aircraft -Lancaster -Spitfire -Hurricane -Dakota -Lightning -Vulcan -Buccaneer -Phantom

Lancaster Reporting NameLancaster Role Letters & MarksB1 RoleBBMF

Lancaster

The Avro Lancaster first flew in January Altogether, 7,377 Lancasters were built in the UK and Canada, with a peak of 293 made in one month, August Famous operational changes to the Lancaster included structural alterations to accommodate the massive 9,979kg Grand Slam bomb, and the Barnes Wallis “bouncing” bomb as used by No 617 “Dambusters” Squadron

Lancaster Technical Data WING SPAN 31M LENGTH 21M CREW 7 MAXIMUM SPEED238kts (442km/h) at sea level ENGINES Four Rolls-Royce Merlin Piston Engines

Spitfire Reporting NameSpitfire RoleBBMF

Spitfire

The Supermarine Spitfire was a development of a famous Schneider trophy racing aircraft designed by R.J. Mitchell. It was vital to the defence of the United Kingdom, and ultimately victory, in the Second World War. It is a tribute to R.J. Mitchell’s design, that over 22,000 Spitfires were produced in 36 separate Marks. Distinctive because of the elliptical shaped wing and the roar from the powerful piston engine.

Spitfire Technical Data WING SPAN 11.2M LENGTH 9.1M CREW 1 MAXIMUM SPEED 378kts (700km/h) at sea level ENGINES 1 Rolls-Royce Merlin

Hurricane Reporting NameHurricane RoleBBMF

Hurricane

The Hawker Hurricane stands alongside the Spitfire in the halls of fame. In fact, the Hurricane predates the Spitfire by some two years, being designed in 1934, by Sydney Camm who later designed the Hunter and Harrier aircraft. The Hurricane was the first monoplane fighter in RAF service and also the first to exceed 260 kts (482 km/h) in level flight. Although perhaps not quite as well known as the Spitfire, it contributed more to the Battle of Britain, by destroying a greater number of enemy aircraft. This was due partly to its better turning performance, and partly to its the more rugged and more damage- tolerant construction.

Hurricane Technical Data WING SPAN 12.2M LENGTH 9.75M CREW 1 MAXIMUM SPEED328kts (609km/h) at sea level ENGINES 1 Rolls-Royce Merlin piston engine

Dakota Reporting NameDakota Role Letters & Marks DC3 RoleBBMF

Dakota

One of the most famous American-built transport aircraft ever produced. Nearly 13,000 where made by the Douglas Corporation since the first aircraft flew in Several hundreds are still flying and working today. Renowned for its rugged construction, Dakotas have transported passengers and freight around the world. The fin and rudder appear large and the tail wheel juts out below the fin. On the ground the nose of this tail dragger sits high in the air, supported on the balloon tyres of the retractable main under- carriage. Another good feature is the rectangular window shape.

Dakota Technical Data WING SPAN 28.9M LENGTH 19.5M CREW 2 MAXIMUM SPEED240kts (448km/h) at sea level ENGINES Two Pratt & Whitney R D piston engines

Lightning Reporting NameLightning RoleInterceptor

Lightning

The English Electric Lightning was the first and last all- British supersonic fighter Over 300 were built and the Lightning served with RAF Air Defence squadrons from 1959 until 1988 The Lightning could climb at 50,000 feet per minute and fly at speeds of up to Mach 2.

Lightning Technical Data WING SPAN 10.6M LENGTH 16.8M CREW 1 MAXIMUM SPEEDMach 2 at 36,000ft ENGINES Two Rolls-Royce Avon Reheated Turbojets

Vulcan Reporting NameVulcan Role Letters & Marks B2 RoleStrategic Bomber

Vulcan

Built by Avro, the Vulcan formed part of the RAF’s V- Force of nuclear bombers along with the Valiant and the Victor 136 were built between 1956 and 1965, and the Vulcan remained in RAF service until 1984 The Vulcan was the RAF’s final purpose-built strategic bomber and saw action in the 1982 Falklands War The Vulcan remains the largest delta-winged aircraft ever to fly

Vulcan Technical Data WING SPAN 33.8M LENGTH 32.2M CREW 5 MAXIMUM SPEEDMach 0.92 at 45,000ft ENGINES 4 Rolls-Royce Olympus Turbojet engines

Buccaneer Reporting NameBuccaneer Role Letters & Marks S2B RoleStrike

Buccaneer

Manufactured by Blackburn, the Buccaneer was initially a carrier-based strike aircraft later adopted by the RAF The Buccaneer was designed as a low-level, high speed anti-shipping and nuclear strike aircraft The Buccaneer served with the Royal Navy from 1962 until the decommissioning of HMS Ark Royal in 1978 when the Fleet Air Arm’s remaining Buccaneers were transferred to the RAF. The Buccaneer entered RAF service in 1969 and continued in service until 1993 Buccaneers saw service in the 1991 Gulf War performing laser designation for Tornado GR1s

Buccaneer Technical Data WING SPAN 13.4M LENGTH 19.3M CREW 2 MAXIMUM SPEED580kts (1,074km/h) at 200ft ENGINES Two Rolls-Royce Spey turbofans

Phantom Reporting NamePhantom Role Letters & Marks FG1 / FGR2 RoleAir Defence / Ground Attack

Phantom

Manufactured by McDonnell Douglas, the Phantom FG1 was a carrier-based interceptor for the Royal Navy and the Phantom FGR2 a ground-attack aircraft for the RAF UK Phantoms were developed from the US Navy’s F-4J Phantom II, re-engined with Rolls-Royce Spey engines. The Phantom FG1 served with the Royal Navy from 1968 until the decommissioning of HMS Ark Royal in 1978 when the Fleet Air Arm’s remaining Phantom FG1s were transferred to the RAF. The Phantom FGR2 entered RAF service in 1969 and continued in service until 1989

Phantom Technical Data WING SPAN 11.7M LENGTH 19.2M CREW 2 MAXIMUM SPEEDMach 2 (2,370km/h) at 40,000ft ENGINES Two reheated Rolls-Royce Spey turbofans

Questions?