RAF V-Force Operations Manual: Britain's Frontline Nuclear Strike Force 1955-69

by Andrew Brookes (Author)

• New

  Illustrated
  2015

  $20.56

  The term `V bomber' was used for RAF aircraft (Vickers Valiant, Handley Page Victor and Avro Vulcan) during the 1950s and 1960s that comprised the UK's strategic nuclear strike force known officially as the V-Force. The V-Force reached its peak in June 1964, with 50 Valiants, 70 Vulcans and 39 Victors in service. During the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, RAF V-Force bombers were brought to readiness on 15-minute notice with the aircraft armed and crews ready beside them. The RAF's V-Force remained Britain's nuclear deterrent up 1969 when the strategic role was assumed by the Royal Navy with its Polaris nuclear submarines.