BushBrit66 Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 Cracking on with my old tood Airfix kit which I want to make as different as possible as the Black Buck machine I will build with the new. I want to do a 617 machine, with pink fin insignia, Blue Steel Any reference out there of such a machine without the refueling probe? I like the smoother line of the all white scheme. Thanks in advance Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71chally Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 (edited) There is such a machine in this line up, unfortunately I can't make out the serial but looks like an XM..., it seems to be the only 301 powered Vulcan there. Note the picture is back to front! https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205214803 Edited August 22, 2020 by 71chally Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BushBrit66 Posted August 22, 2020 Author Share Posted August 22, 2020 That's a good start. Thanks S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Lime Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 Sean, Click here for another IWM image, load up the second version of the pic and use the zoom control to have a look. Would seem XM575 fits the bill. Mark. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BushBrit66 Posted August 22, 2020 Author Share Posted August 22, 2020 Fantastic. I can look for this machine with a BS loaded. Thank you so much. Sean 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71chally Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 (edited) XM575 was a Blue Steel carrier, but without delving in books I'm not sure if there are any picture with it on. Edited August 22, 2020 by 71chally Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcB Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 If I may use this topic to pose a genuine question (more actually 😀) about the Vulcan : were the machines build from the start either as a Blue Steel carrier, or either for free fall bombs ? Could a BS carrier be re-configured to carry bombs, en vice-versa ? Were squadrons equipped with only BS carriers, or with a mix of BS and bomb-carrying planes ? Thanks Marc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XV571 Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 I agree with Mark that it's XM575. I did a screen grab of the first picture, flipped it then changed it to a negative image: This is a trick I was taught when looking at engine borescope images to help in locating a fine crack and has proved useful in teasing out details from photos with less than distinct clarity! HTH Jonathan 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71chally Posted August 23, 2020 Share Posted August 23, 2020 13 hours ago, MarcB said: If I may use this topic to pose a genuine question (more actually 😀) about the Vulcan : were the machines build from the start either as a Blue Steel carrier, or either for free fall bombs ? Could a BS carrier be re-configured to carry bombs, en vice-versa ? Were squadrons equipped with only BS carriers, or with a mix of BS and bomb-carrying planes ? Good question, and just to get the ball rolling really. My understanding is that only 27, 83 and 617 Squadron operated the Blue Steel Vulcans. The first 25 Vulcan B.2s were non Blue Steel capable, XL317-321, XL359-361, XL392, XL425-427, XL443-446, XM569-576, and XM594-595 were the Vulcans built equipped for Blue Steel, XL384-390 were converted to do so. All surviving Vulcans from that list were re-roled to conventional bombing configuration after the loss to the RAF of the Nuclear Deterrence role at the end of 1970. Strangely, unlike the Victor (B.2BS), Blue Steel capable Vulcans didn't seem to be designated as such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Lime Posted August 23, 2020 Share Posted August 23, 2020 23 hours ago, XV571 said: This is a trick I was taught And this is a trick I'm gonna steal! Thanks for sharing, I might even be able to use it at work too. Mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Poultney Posted September 1, 2020 Share Posted September 1, 2020 On 22/08/2020 at 14:09, 71chally said: There is such a machine in this line up, unfortunately I can't make out the serial but looks like an XM..., it seems to be the only 301 powered Vulcan there. Note the picture is back to front! https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205214803 Probably XM575 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Poultney Posted September 1, 2020 Share Posted September 1, 2020 (edited) On 22/08/2020 at 21:26, 71chally said: XM575 was a Blue Steel carrier, but without delving in books I'm not sure if there are any picture with it on. I've not seen any from below showing the reg XM575 with blue steel, but there's probably a picture out there somewhere though. Edited September 1, 2020 by Adam Poultney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Poultney Posted September 1, 2020 Share Posted September 1, 2020 On 22/08/2020 at 22:58, XV571 said: This is a trick I was taught when looking at engine borescope images to help in locating a fine crack and has proved useful in teasing out details from photos with less than distinct clarity! HTH Jonathan that is clever! On 23/08/2020 at 12:45, 71chally said: The first 25 Vulcan B.2s were non Blue Steel capable, XA903 (b1) and XH539 were used in Blue steel development. On 23/08/2020 at 12:45, 71chally said: Strangely, unlike the Victor (B.2BS), Blue Steel capable Vulcans didn't seem to be designated as such. I've always found this odd. The Victor B.Mk.2R (aka B2(BS) ) did had a lot more refitting than the blue steel vulcan, I backdated an Airfix B.Mk.2R to the final B.Mk.2 built, and there's a surprising number of minor modifications to make, even then XM714-718 (I modelled 718) all had some of the B.Mk.2R features from the factory even before their refit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BushBrit66 Posted September 11, 2020 Author Share Posted September 11, 2020 So, as I had already made the, 201 engin cuts, it will be a machine with nose probe. Other than the fin reprofiling and nose thimble removal, are there any other lumps, and bumps on the Airfix kit that need removing for an AFW early B2? Thanks for the help guys. This old kit is going to get her very well and better than, expected 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B (Sc) Posted September 11, 2020 Share Posted September 11, 2020 " I did a screen grab of the first picture, flipped it then changed it to a negative image: " A most useful trick, 'XV571', thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BushBrit66 Posted September 24, 2020 Author Share Posted September 24, 2020 (edited) Quick question. On the early AFW 201 engine machines, were the four pipes fitted to the underside of the nacelle? The Afix kit is a bit vague here. I believe only one ECM plate was fitted between the stsrbouad nacelle only? Cheers in advance Sean Edited September 24, 2020 by BushBrit66 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Poultney Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 2 minutes ago, BushBrit66 said: Quick question. On the early AFW 201 engine machines, were the four pipes fitted to the underside of the nacelle? The Afix kit is a bit vague here. I believe only one ECM plate was fitted between the stsrbouad nacelle only? Cheers in advance Sean yep. All four pipes are fitted, and the ECM plate should only be on the right wing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cherisy Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 On 8/23/2020 at 12:45 PM, 71chally said: Good question, and just to get the ball rolling really. My understanding is that only 27, 83 and 617 Squadron operated the Blue Steel Vulcans. The first 25 Vulcan B.2s were non Blue Steel capable, XL317-321, XL359-361, XL392, XL425-427, XL443-446, XM569-576, and XM594-595 were the Vulcans built equipped for Blue Steel, XL384-390 were converted to do so. All surviving Vulcans from that list were re-roled to conventional bombing configuration after the loss to the RAF of the Nuclear Deterrence role at the end of 1970. Strangely, unlike the Victor (B.2BS), Blue Steel capable Vulcans didn't seem to be designated as such. What free fall weapons were the other sqns carrying? Am I right in thinking it would be Red Beard and/or Yellow Sun . I dont think the WE 177 came in till Blue Steel had gone ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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