The awesome Avro Vulcan is an enduring image of the Cold War era when the world stood on the brink of nuclear annihilation. For many years the RAF's delta-wing jet bomber was the cornerstone of Britain's nuclear deterrent. Read about the Vulcan's operational history and take a close-up look at its construction. Discover what it takes to own and fly the mighty V-bomber, and find out how engineers keep it airworthy. Centrepiece of the manual is Vulcan XH558 - the world's only flying example of an Avro Vulcan.
Reviews (30)
Not much of an "update"
I've always been a fan Britain's iconic "tin triangle", an aircraft which still looks powerful and cutting edge 64 years after it first flew. The original 2010 edition of this "manual" was one of my favorite Haynes publications, and one of the titles that got me hopelessly hooked on their "Owners' Workshop Manual" series. It's nicely, but not overwhelmingly detailed, with plenty of technical and operational insights from former Vulcan aircrew, with plenty of excellent diagrams and "behind the scenes" photos showing the restoration of XH558 to flying condition. I sold my copy a few months ago when I learned that Haynes would be publishing a new edition. Frankly, I'm a little disappointed. Everything from the 2010 edition is still intact, thankfully. There's a new 27 page tenth chapter focusing on XH558, covering the last five years of the aircraft's "career" before being finally retired in October, 2015. There are some interesting insights in this chapter, along with some superb color photographs of the plane "in action" at various air shows. Unfortunately, absolutely nothing has been revised or updated in the first nine chapters. There are no new diagrams or photographs, no new technical insights, and no new asides from surviving crewmembers. Heck, even a map or two to support the narrative of the "Black Buck" operations would have been nice! Some of the photographs are still rather murky, especially the cockpit interiors. The tenth chapter has simply been grafted onto the original book, although the index has been updated to reflect it. I'm torn on what to rate this. The original edition was an extremely solid reference, and the new chapter is a nice bonus. Still, I expect a bit more from a "new and updated" book. If you don't own the 2010 edition, go for this one. If you already own the original, you'll have to be a hardcore Vulcan fanatic to justify spending $28 for it.
Whats a Vulcan?
I personally own 15 of the History series of books from Haynes, and they all are fantastic. My only compliant is they are not bigger. This volumn do an excellent job of covering the AVRO Vulcan, but like any history nut I always want more. The thing I like most about this book as well as all the books in the History series from Haynes is their cost. They are inexpensive as well as excellently written and have a plethora of photos and diagrams. You cannot go wrong purchasing this book.
Last howl of the Vulcan
Great book on a cold war bomber and very up to date when it talks about the last flight of XH558 and the reasons why they decided to stop flying it. The book goes into good detail on the care and maintenance of such a plane. It is an enjoyable read.
Terrific Detail, HUGE amount of photographs
Terrific Detail , HUGE amount of photographs , Outstanding 'period' Detail , Real LIFE , REAL AIRCRAFT !
Four Stars
A nostalgic trip on memory lane, I worked on Vulcans in the R.A.F!
Haynes Avro Vulcan B2 Bomber Insight
If you love the Vulcan Bomber this Book is well worth having and was bought by me for a pretty good price. It is full of interesting Facts, Figures and Photographs which tell the story of the Avro Vulcan. This is not the same as Haynes Car manuals in that it doesn't show you Picture / Photo sequences of Dis-mantling & Re-assmembly of the Vulcan. That said it does have a few nice cut-a-way diagrams. I think this is a Great addition for any Vulcan enthusiast.
Father's Day smiles
This is for my dad for father's day last year i got his name added to th Vulcan that has been restored. It was the first ever plane harness my dad worked on in Rolls-Royce so i know this book will mean a lot to him its perfect.
How it was fitted out for use and weaponry.
I bought it to find out where the Green Satin Doppler navigation was fitted. I worked on the development in 1952-55. Never enough detail on the radar systems installed
Great stuff
This was bought for my sisters partners birthday as a gift, and he loved it. Very informative and lots of illustrations, pictures and diagrams.
Good book
Good book some new pics inThis book that I haven't seen before
Not much of an "update"
I've always been a fan Britain's iconic "tin triangle", an aircraft which still looks powerful and cutting edge 64 years after it first flew. The original 2010 edition of this "manual" was one of my favorite Haynes publications, and one of the titles that got me hopelessly hooked on their "Owners' Workshop Manual" series. It's nicely, but not overwhelmingly detailed, with plenty of technical and operational insights from former Vulcan aircrew, with plenty of excellent diagrams and "behind the scenes" photos showing the restoration of XH558 to flying condition. I sold my copy a few months ago when I learned that Haynes would be publishing a new edition. Frankly, I'm a little disappointed. Everything from the 2010 edition is still intact, thankfully. There's a new 27 page tenth chapter focusing on XH558, covering the last five years of the aircraft's "career" before being finally retired in October, 2015. There are some interesting insights in this chapter, along with some superb color photographs of the plane "in action" at various air shows. Unfortunately, absolutely nothing has been revised or updated in the first nine chapters. There are no new diagrams or photographs, no new technical insights, and no new asides from surviving crewmembers. Heck, even a map or two to support the narrative of the "Black Buck" operations would have been nice! Some of the photographs are still rather murky, especially the cockpit interiors. The tenth chapter has simply been grafted onto the original book, although the index has been updated to reflect it. I'm torn on what to rate this. The original edition was an extremely solid reference, and the new chapter is a nice bonus. Still, I expect a bit more from a "new and updated" book. If you don't own the 2010 edition, go for this one. If you already own the original, you'll have to be a hardcore Vulcan fanatic to justify spending $28 for it.
Whats a Vulcan?
I personally own 15 of the History series of books from Haynes, and they all are fantastic. My only compliant is they are not bigger. This volumn do an excellent job of covering the AVRO Vulcan, but like any history nut I always want more. The thing I like most about this book as well as all the books in the History series from Haynes is their cost. They are inexpensive as well as excellently written and have a plethora of photos and diagrams. You cannot go wrong purchasing this book.
Last howl of the Vulcan
Great book on a cold war bomber and very up to date when it talks about the last flight of XH558 and the reasons why they decided to stop flying it. The book goes into good detail on the care and maintenance of such a plane. It is an enjoyable read.
Terrific Detail, HUGE amount of photographs
Terrific Detail , HUGE amount of photographs , Outstanding 'period' Detail , Real LIFE , REAL AIRCRAFT !
Four Stars
A nostalgic trip on memory lane, I worked on Vulcans in the R.A.F!
Haynes Avro Vulcan B2 Bomber Insight
If you love the Vulcan Bomber this Book is well worth having and was bought by me for a pretty good price. It is full of interesting Facts, Figures and Photographs which tell the story of the Avro Vulcan. This is not the same as Haynes Car manuals in that it doesn't show you Picture / Photo sequences of Dis-mantling & Re-assmembly of the Vulcan. That said it does have a few nice cut-a-way diagrams. I think this is a Great addition for any Vulcan enthusiast.
Father's Day smiles
This is for my dad for father's day last year i got his name added to th Vulcan that has been restored. It was the first ever plane harness my dad worked on in Rolls-Royce so i know this book will mean a lot to him its perfect.
How it was fitted out for use and weaponry.
I bought it to find out where the Green Satin Doppler navigation was fitted. I worked on the development in 1952-55. Never enough detail on the radar systems installed
Great stuff
This was bought for my sisters partners birthday as a gift, and he loved it. Very informative and lots of illustrations, pictures and diagrams.
Good book
Good book some new pics inThis book that I haven't seen before
Really comprehensive and interesting book with useful sections on the history of the V-bombers as well ...
Really comprehensive and interesting book with useful sections on the history of the V-bombers as well as the operational use and the restoration and return to flight of XH558. Highly recommended.
Excellent
Excellent
Brilliant book, not exactly a workshop manual
Brilliant book, not exactly a workshop manual, I mean you couldn't strip the engine down for instance. But a lovely informative book with enough diagrams and a mass of photos. The book was a present for an ex RAF technician who sadly has had a stroke, and it was bought for his birthday, he just loves to read through it, thank you.
Interesting and informative book.
As usual from Haynes a very interesting and informative volume. All I need now is to club together with my mates, buy one, and get it airworthy.
Great book
Very pleased with the book, interesting all the way through
Out of the Ordinary
This will be a present for my Brother.
Interesting and informative
Fabulous book was an excellent gift for my father in law. He loved it. Plenty of technical details
Vulcan Manual
Excellent book goes well with the other Vulcan books I have
Five Stars
Great book, my partner loves it!
Five Stars
Excellent presentation and very informative.
