ADF-SERIALS
Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History
Vickers Valiant B.1, B(PR).1, B(PR)K.1

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Valiant Taxying with Blue Steel
     
 
Several Vickers Valiant B.1 aircraft served in Australia during the 1950s & 60s. Some were used for trials associated with Operation Buffalo, the code name of the Blue Danube thermonuclear bomb tests. Others were used by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd for development and trials of the Blue Steel nuclear stand-off weapon.
 
Two other Valiant Bombers visited in more peaceful roles as part of Operation "Too Right" (see below).
 
There were also several detachments by the photo reconnaissance version of the Valiant including the prototype Valiant B(PR).1. Several other photo-recon Valiant variants operated in the 1950s and 60s for a variety of missions including monitoring the atomic bomb tests. The Valiant B(PR)K.1 could operate as a bomber, a photo recon aircraft or an in-flight refuelling tanker depending on the equipment fitted in the bomb bay. Most if not all B(PR)K.1 operations in Australia were in the photo reconnaissance role.
 
Valiant Photo Recon
The Valiant was seen as the least glamorous of the three V-Bombers, the futuristic looking Avro Vulcan and Handley Page Victor overshadowing this elegant design. All three V Bombers saw service in Australia. Some were issued with RAAF Aircraft Status Cards. The Valiant was the first of the V-Bombers in service with the prototype flying in 1951. Its career was cut short when wing fatigue issues discovered in 1964 grounded the fleet in 1965. Sadly all were scrapped except for XD818 which is currently on display in RAF Museum's Cosford Cold War hangar along with both a Vulcan and a Victor.

  The sole surving Valiant

 

  
   Vickers Valiant Image Gallery  
 
Serial Type..... Aircraft History
WP201 B.1 13/04/1945 first flight
21/12/1954 delivered to 1321 Flight Farnborough special armaments trials
RAAF Status Card states "24/06/1954 Valiant B.1 aircraft WP201 will be sent to LRWE(A) early in 1955 for Bomb Ballistic Trials
Was expected to be on loan for approx 6 months in 1955 for Bomb Ballistic Trials. It is expected that the a/c will be used in Australia for up to 6 months."
11/08/1955 Valiant B.1 a/c WP209 received at Air Trails Unit, No advice further for above (Unintelligible) for WP201.

Highlight for Album: Valiant WP201

WP204 B.1 09/09/1954 first flight, delivered to RAF
04/04/1955 delivered Handling Squadron, Boscombe Down
01/06/1955 all four engines changed to Type 204. Fitted with Nos. 6697, 6674, 6973 & 6988
24/01/1958 to Marshalls Cambridge for mods for Blue Steel trials
15/09/1960 departed Woodford  to Edinburgh Field for Blue Steel development
21/09/1960 arrived RAAF Edinburgh Field
27/09/1960 Base Squadron Edinburgh
19/12/1961 allotted Avro for check after trials
04/01/1962 departed for the UK
09/01/1962 arrived Woodford (RAF records) or 11/01/62 (RAAF records)
1/06/1962 Instructional purposes No.4 School of Technical Training, St Athan
03/07/1962 allotted 7753M
24/08/1965 perished at St Athan

Highlight for Album: Valiant WP204
WP205 B(PR).1 08/10/1954 first flight,
14/03/1955 delivered to RAF Gaydon
24/03/1955 conversion to prototype photo reconnaissance version of the Valiant
Brief summary; 14/07/1955 Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE), 13/09/1955 Boscombe Downs for PR trials, 15/09/1955 RAF Idris tropical trials, 09/11/1955 Farnborough, 22/11/1955 Wisley for repairs after forced landing at RAE 09/12/1955 Cat. 4R repairs, 27/02/1956 Vickers Armstrong (VA) Night Photographic trials, 11/09/1956 Wisley for VA servicing, modification, radio and navigation fit.
19/10/1956 to Australia for Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) Photo Reconnaissance trials.
05/03/1957 departed Australia returned to UK via Libya and Malta.
We don't yet have a photo of the complete WP205 so I have included one of another Valiant B(PR).1 to display the bomb bay camera ports
The photo in our gallery of WP205 after it was written off on 17/11/1960 shows that it was still in the original High Speed Silver scheme
17/06/1961 Struck Off Charge components to RAE Structural and Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Highlight for Album: Valiant WP205
WP206 B.1 03/11/1954 first flight,
08/02/1955 delivered to RAF 138 Squadron Gaydon
09/1955 visited Australia as part of Operation "Too Right" (see below)
02/04/1957 to Marshalls of Cambridge for inertial navigation fit on Blue Steel development
18/07/1957 to Vickers Armstrong at Marshalls for trial installation of Blue Steel
12/06/1958 to No.2 Air Trials Unit
23/07/1958 to Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh for mods
06/08/1958 No.2 Air Trials Unit
12/02/1960 to Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh
04/03/1960 No.2 Air Trials Unit
26/08/1960 (week ending) despatched to Marshalls Cambridge
12/10/1960 Avro to Marshalls for major servicing
12/10/1961 left UK for Edinburgh Field RAAF development trials
 17/10/1961 received by RAAF at Base Squadron Edinburgh Field
17/10/1961 operated by Base Squadron Edinburgh Field for A.V Roe and Co at 4 Joint Services Trials Units (4 JSTU)
27/05/1963 returned to the UK ex Edinburgh Field to Woodford for inspection.
16/02/1964 sold to BKL Alloys Birmingham

Highlight for

WP207 B.1 01/12/1954 first flight
19/02/1955 delivered to 138 Squadron RAF Gaydon
09/1955 visited Australia on Operation "Too Right" (see below).

Valiant WP207 Mascot
WP209 B.1 08/01/1955 first flight, 
06/04/1955 delivered to Farnborough 
31/07/1955 issued to Air trials Unit ex UK,
11/08/1955 received Air trials Unit ex UK, Installed Avons Mk.20401 Nos. 6716, 6717, 6718, 6719 (last changed to 8078)
18/08/1955 held unserviceable at Air Trials Unit
25/08/1955 held serviceable at Air Trials Unit
08/09/1955 held unserviceable at Air Trials Unit
15/09/1955 held unserviceable at Air Trials Unit
12/01/1956 held U/E at Air Trials Unit
03/05/1956 held unserviceable at Air Trials Unit
07/09/1956 held unserviceable at Air Trials Unit
14/12/1956 held unserviceable at Air Trials Unit
12/07/1957 issued to Air Trials Unit Det.A for Air Trials Unit
11/02/1958 held U/E at Air Trials Unit CAT A,
25/02/1958 allotted ATU Det.A ex Air Trials Unit for flying duties,
26/02/1958 issued ATU Det ex Air Trials Unit,
12/06/1958 held U/E 2 Air Trials Unit,
23/07/1958 issued & received Base Squadron Edinburgh ex 2 Air Trials Unit,
04/08/1958 allotted Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh for modifications,
06/08/1958 issued and received 2 Air Trials Unit ex Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh,
12/08/1958 held U/E 2 Air Trials Unit
12/01/1959 held under repair at Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh,
12/03/1959 held U/E 2 Air Trials Unit
12/07/1959 held U/E 2 Air Trials Unit
12/11/1959 held U/E 2 Air Trials Unit
12/02/1960 held under repair at Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh,
04/03/1960 received 2 Air Trials Unit ex Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh,
26/08/1960 Aircraft status reported allotted to Vickers Armstrong Aircraft Ltd, Marshalls Flying School, Cambridge, UK

WP206 wore RAAF kangaroo roundels for a while, we don't know if they were officially approved!

 Highlight for Album: Valiant WP209

10/1966 Perished Sansted Airport fire school
WP216 B.1 18/04/1955 first flight
Although WP216 never came to Australia it had a big impact on the RAAF (pun intended)
20/04/1955 when taxying at Wisley airfield WP216 suffered a brake failure. Although the four engines were switched off there was enough momentum to send WP216 crashing into Boeing Washington WW346 causing major damage. WW346 was at Wisley in preparation for traveling to Australia for Vickers Armstrong missile trials. RAAF serial A76-3 had been issued. Another Valiant WP203 was also struck and suffered major damage as did WP219. Both Valiants were repaired and returned to service. The Boeing Washington was so badly damaged that it was a write off.
WZ366 B.1 18/08/1955 first flight
07/10/1955 delivered to RAF Waddington Station Flight
04/08/1956 departed RAF Wittering for Maralinga to carry out Operation Buffalo, the Blue Danube thermonuclear bomb tests.
11/10/1956 SQNLDR Flavell dropped the first British nuclear bomb at 35,000 feet from WZ366
10/1956 returned to UK 

Highlight for

16/06/1965 scrapped at No. 19 MU St Athan. To Marine Salvage Ltd. Portsmouth
WZ367 B.1 30/08/1955 first flight 
19/09/1955 delivered to RAF Waddington
28/05/1956 detached for Buffalo atom bomb tested RAF Wittering for Australia
20/08/1956 arrived Edinburgh after a week's delay due to seized engine at Nagombo, Ceylon
To Maralinga to carry out Operation Buffalo, the Blue Danube thermonuclear bomb tests
18/10/1956 returned to UK.

Highlight for Album: Valiant WZ367

To BAC Weybridge for fatigue test. Broken up 06/1965
WZ370 B.1 22/09/1955 first flight
29/02/1956 handed over to MoS Air Fleet ex-storage V-A Weybridge
28/03/1956 to Marshalls Cambridge (Avro) for mods and trial installation of Blue Steel
22/07/1957 To Base Squadron Edinburgh Field ex A.V.Roe and Co Woodford, for special development trials, fitted with Avon MK20401 6738, 6751, 6742 & 6787,
16/08/1957 to RAAF
29/06/1959 A/C on charge and operated by A.V.Roe and Co Ltd. at Base Squadron Edinburgh Field in accordance with MoS Contract
22/07/1959 Edinburgh development trials
15/10/1959 Base Squadron Edinburgh Field queried as to present status,
09/11/1959 returned to the UK ex Edinburgh Field to Woodford
17/11/1959 arrived Woodford for de-instrumentation by Avro.

Highlight for

15/02/1966 Struck off Charge
03/1966 scrapped at Pershore
WZ373 B.1 18/10/1955 first flight, delivered to RAF
18/11/1955 delivered to Fairey Aviation at Cranfield
27/10/1960 departed for RAAF Edinburgh Field
02/11/1960 received Base Squadron Edinburgh ex-UK (fitted with Avon MK20401 4467, 4397, 4335 & 6787,)
03/11/1960 to A.V.Roe and Co Edinburgh
16/07/1962 returned to the UK ex Edinburgh Field to Woodford for inspection
21/07/1962 arrived UK
10/1962 disposal on site at Woodford

Highlight for Album: Valiant

16/07/1963 sold to BKL Alloys of Birmingham.
WZ375 B.1 02/11/1955 first flight
30/11/1955 delivered Vickers
16/02/1956 to A&AEE Boscombe for 'research work'
14/01/1957 to Cambridge Avro for Special Stores installation
05/07/1957 Avro Woodford
25/02/1959 to Marshalls Cambridge (V-A) for conversion for Blue Steel Phase 2 trials
30/03/1961 arrived RAAF Edinburgh Field
10/04/1961 To Base Squadron Edinburgh Field ex A.V.Roe fitted with Avon MK20401s Nos. 4455, 7146, 7154 & 4395,
12/02/1963 aircraft and engines dispatched to Woodford
17/02/1963 arrived Woodford ex Edinburgh Field.
22/07/1966 Struck Off Charge and scrapped at Pershore.
WZ378 B(PR).1 11/10/1956 photographed the first British atomic bomb (Blue Danube) dropped from WZ366 at Maralinga.

Highlight for Album: Valiant WZ378
WZ381 B(PR).1 11/10/1956 photographed the first British atomic bomb (Blue Danube) dropped from WZ366 at Maralinga.

Highlight for Album: Valiant WZ381
WZ391 B(PR)K.1 27/02/1956 first flight
28/03/1956 delivered to 543 Squadron Wyton
18/08/1957 part of Air Task Group Antler based at RAAF Edinburgh for the British air-burst bomb test .
14/09/1957, 25/09/57 and 09/10/1957 conducted photo reconnaissance tests
28/06/1962 arrived at RAAF  Townsville for Operation Bafford
This was a ten week mission by 543 Squadron to survey the Solomon Islands, New Guinea and the New Hebrides
03/03/1965 Struck off Charge.

Highlight for Album: Valiant WZ391
WZ392 B(PR)K.1 01/03/1956 first flight
04/04/1956 delivered to 543 Squadron Wyton
18/08/1957 part of Air Task Group Antler based at RAAF Edinburgh for the British air-burst bomb test .
14/09/1957, 25/09/57 and 09/10/1957 conducted photo reconnaissance tests
28/06/1962 arrived at  RAAF Townsville for Operation Bafford
This was a ten week mission by 543 Squadron to survey the Solomon Islands, New Guinea and the New Hebrides
03/03/1965 Struck off Charge
WZ394 B(PR)K.1 16/03/1956 first flight
20/04/1956 delivered to 543 Squadron Wyton
12/1961 three Valiants of 543 Squadron (WZ394, WZ396 and WZ397) were in Jamaica flying survey missions in the wake of Hurricane Hattie
In the course of these missions Cuban airfields were overflow at least four times at the request of the CIA to monitor reconstruction work.
The Valiants returned to Kindley Air Force Base, Bermuda for debriefing
28/06/1962 arrived at RAAF Townsville for Operation Bafford
This was a ten week mission by 543 Squadron to survey the Solomon Islands, New Guinea and the New Hebrides,
03/03/1965 Struck off Charge.

Highlight for Album: Valiant WZ394
WZ397 B(PR)K.1 16/04/1956 first flight
01/06/1956 delivered to 214 Squadron Marham
12/1961 three Valiants of 543 Squadron (WZ394, WZ396 and WZ397) were in Jamaica flying survey missions in the wake of Hurricane Hattie
In the course of these missions Cuban airfields were overflow at least four times at the request of the CIA to monitor reconstruction work.
The Valiants returned to Kindley Air Force Base, Bermuda for debriefing
28/06/1962 arrived at RAAF Townsville for Operation Bafford
This was a ten week mission by 543 Squadron to survey the Solomon Islands, New Guinea and the New Hebrides
03/03/1965 Struck off Charge
14/06/1965 allotted 7888M
14/06/1965 to RAF Cosford for radio training.

Highlight for Album: Valiant WZ397
 
   
OPERATION "TOO RIGHT"

In 1955 two Vickers Valiant B.1 bombers (serial numbers WP206 and WP207) from RAF 138 Squadron visited Australia as part of Operation "Too Right"
WP207 was flown by FLTLT Roy Mather. His son Rob Mather has kindly supplied photographs, copies of newspaper articles and extracts from his father's Logbook (all may be seen by clicking on thumbnail below)
The details below are for WP207. The other Valiant WP206 would of followed a similar schedule.

05/09/1955 Departed RAF Wittering destination Habbaniya, Iraq
05/09/1955 Aborted departure for Karachi, Pakistan due to no pressurisation.
06/09/1955 Departed Habbaniya for Karachi, then Karachi to Negombo, Ceylon (current Sri Lanka)
08/09/1955 Flew Negombo to Changi, Singapore
10/09/1955 Flew Changi to Perth
 12/09/1955 Arrived Sydney (Mascot) Airport flying from Perth in a record time of 3 hours 23 minutes
14/09/1955 Flew to Melbourne (Essendon) Airport detouring for a flying display over Canberra en-route.
On landing it blew a main undercarriage tyre. Barricades were set up and armed guards posted around the still top secret aircraft.
Was on display for Melbourne Air Force Week Celebrations
16/09/1955 Flew Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide then on to RAAF Edinburgh
18/09/1955 Edinburgh to Christchurch, New Zealand
21/09/1955 Christchurch to Wellington (Ohakea)
Both aircraft then returned to UK
WP206 later returned to Australia for weapon's trials (see above)
 WP207 was eventually sold as scrap 01/01/1967 at No.19 MU St Athan to Bradbury's of Bournemouth

Highlight for Album: Valiant WP207

  Highlight for Album: Miscellaneous Valiant photos
Miscellaneous Valiant Photos

  

Page Authors Martin Edwards & Brendan Cowan.

Sources: RAAF Status Cards, UK Military Aircraft Serials, British Military Aircraft Serials 1911-1979 by Bruce Robertson, "Valiant Boys" by Tony Blackman & Anthony Wright.
"Vickers Valiant; The First of the V-Bombers" by Eric B Morgan, Rob Mather's Vickers Valiant website

Emails: Mick Boulanger, David C Eyre, John Lever, Rob Mather, Mike Mirkovic,

Updated 26th September 2019
 

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