Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Avro 707 – Testing the Wings of the Vulcan
Long before the Avro Vulcan became a Cold War icon, its revolutionary delta-wing design had to be tested—and that task fell to the smaller but vital Avro 707 series. These scaled-down testbeds played a crucial role in validating the Vulcan’s flight characteristics, informing one of Britain’s most ambitious bomber programs.
This video examines how the 707s helped shape the Vulcan and advanced British aeronautical research in the early Cold War period.
Topics explored:
• The postwar push for delta and crescent wing bombers in Britain's atomic weapons program
• Origins of the Avro 707 and the cancelled Avro 710 high-altitude testbed
• Design and flight testing of five Avro 707 airframes between 1949 and 1953
• Technical features such as reused Gloster Meteor and Avro Athena components
• The fatal crash of VX784 and subsequent aerodynamic refinements
• Impact of 707B and 707A flights on Vulcan wing shape, airbrakes, and centre of gravity
• Australian research use of WD280 and the aircraft’s preservation at RAAF Point Cook
• The side-by-side 707C trainer and its use in early fly-by-wire and gun-aiming trials
• Abandoned plans for a 707-based fighter/interceptor variant
Avro 698 Vulcan – Britain’s Delta-Winged Deterrent
With insights gained from the 707 series, the Avro team—led by Roy Chadwick and Stuart Davies—developed the Vulcan as part of the UK’s V-bomber force. The aircraft debuted in 1952 and became a central pillar of the British airborne nuclear deterrent for decades.
Topics covered:
• First flights and test programs of VX770 and VX777 prototypes
• Flight instability at transonic speeds and the adoption of vortex generators and the ‘Phase 2 wing’
• Entry into RAF service with the Vulcan B.1 in 1956 and B.2 in 1960
• High-altitude and low-level penetration tactics in the Cold War
• Nuclear alert status during the Cuban Missile Crisis
• Conventional bombing during the Falklands War’s Operation Black Buck
• Later adaptations including maritime reconnaissance (B.2 MRR), aerial sampling, and tanker roles (K.2)
• The Vulcan’s long-range strike capability and symbolic Cold War presence
From experimental beginnings in the form of the 707 to the Vulcan’s role as a nuclear deterrent and beyond, this episode charts the evolution of one of the most distinctive and capable bombers of the 20th century.
CONTENTS
00:00 Intro
00:45 707 testbeds
01:24 VX784
02:08 VX790 & WD280
04:24 WZ736
05:33 698 'Vulcan'
06:20 VX770
07:08 VX777
08:27 RAAF option
09:08 Proven long-range platform
10:54 Black Buck raids
12:20 End of an era
Subscribe for more military aviation history!
Let us know what’s your favorite delta-wing aircraft!
Please consider supporting this channel by purchasing our merchandise or becoming a member at https://peacemaker.fashion
Transcripts and discussion can be found at our Substack militaryaviationvideos.substack.com
We are affiliates for AVI-8 watches. Get 20% off full-priced items by using the code AMAHA when you click through to avi-8.com/AMAHA
If you are looking for an aviation themed gift and want to support this channel, check out the Military Shop by using our affiliate link https://militaryshop.com.au/?ref=AMAHA and you can also use our coupon code AMAHA for a discount!
We are affiliates with Airfix Models - please use our link https://prf.hn/l/meNMQn5
You can also support us here: raafdocumentary.com/support
_____________ Disclaimer _____________
Original footage and recreated scenes (using DCS, War Thunder, etc) may not be 100% accurate to the event being described but has been used for dramatic effect. This is because there may not have been original footage of a particular event available, or copyright prevents us from showing it. Our aim is to be as historically true as we can be given the materials available.
Copyright disclaimer under fair dealing sections ss 40/103C, ss 41/103A,ss 42/103B of the Copyright Act which includes research, study, criticism, review, and reporting of news. Copyright remains with the respective owners. These videos are made for educational purposes only.
The Australian Military Aviation History Association is a not-for-profit association with the intent of recording, preserving and promoting Australian military aviation history.
Avro 707 – Testing the Wings of the Vulcan
Long before the Avro Vulcan became a Cold War icon, its revolutionary delta-wing design had to be tested—and that task fell to the smaller but vital Avro 707 series. These scaled-down testbeds played a crucial role in validating the Vulcan’s flight characteristics, informing one of Britain’s most ambitious bomber programs.
This video examines how the 707s helped shape the Vulcan and advanced British aeronautical research in the early Cold War period.
Topics explored:
• The postwar push for delta and crescent wing bombers in Britain's atomic weapons program
• Origins of the Avro 707 and the cancelled Avro 710 high-altitude testbed
• Design and flight testing of five Avro 707 airframes between 1949 and 1953
• Technical features such as reused Gloster Meteor and Avro Athena components
• The fatal crash of VX784 and subsequent aerodynamic refinements
• Impact of 707B and 707A flights on Vulcan wing shape, airbrakes, and centre of gravity
• Australian research use of WD280 and the aircraft’s preservation at RAAF Point Cook
• The side-by-side 707C trainer and its use in early fly-by-wire and gun-aiming trials
• Abandoned plans for a 707-based fighter/interceptor variant
Avro 698 Vulcan – Britain’s Delta-Winged Deterrent
With insights gained from the 707 series, the Avro team—led by Roy Chadwick and Stuart Davies—developed the Vulcan as part of the UK’s V-bomber force. The aircraft debuted in 1952 and became a central pillar of the British airborne nuclear deterrent for decades.
Topics covered:
• First flights and test programs of VX770 and VX777 prototypes
• Flight instability at transonic speeds and the adoption of vortex generators and the ‘Phase 2 wing’
• Entry into RAF service with the Vulcan B.1 in 1956 and B.2 in 1960
• High-altitude and low-level penetration tactics in the Cold War
• Nuclear alert status during the Cuban Missile Crisis
• Conventional bombing during the Falklands War’s Operation Black Buck
• Later adaptations including maritime reconnaissance (B.2 MRR), aerial sampling, and tanker roles (K.2)
• The Vulcan’s long-range strike capability and symbolic Cold War presence
From experimental beginnings in the form of the 707 to the Vulcan’s role as a nuclear deterrent and beyond, this episode charts the evolution of one of the most distinctive and capable bombers of the 20th century.
CONTENTS
00:00 Intro
00:45 707 testbeds
01:24 VX784
02:08 VX790 & WD280
04:24 WZ736
05:33 698 'Vulcan'
06:20 VX770
07:08 VX777
08:27 RAAF option
09:08 Proven long-range platform
10:54 Black Buck raids
12:20 End of an era
Subscribe for more military aviation history!
Let us know what’s your favorite delta-wing aircraft!
Please consider supporting this channel by purchasing our merchandise or becoming a member at https://peacemaker.fashion
Transcripts and discussion can be found at our Substack militaryaviationvideos.substack.com
We are affiliates for AVI-8 watches. Get 20% off full-priced items by using the code AMAHA when you click through to avi-8.com/AMAHA
If you are looking for an aviation themed gift and want to support this channel, check out the Military Shop by using our affiliate link https://militaryshop.com.au/?ref=AMAHA and you can also use our coupon code AMAHA for a discount!
We are affiliates with Airfix Models - please use our link https://prf.hn/l/meNMQn5
You can also support us here: raafdocumentary.com/support
_____________ Disclaimer _____________
Original footage and recreated scenes (using DCS, War Thunder, etc) may not be 100% accurate to the event being described but has been used for dramatic effect. This is because there may not have been original footage of a particular event available, or copyright prevents us from showing it. Our aim is to be as historically true as we can be given the materials available.
Copyright disclaimer under fair dealing sections ss 40/103C, ss 41/103A,ss 42/103B of the Copyright Act which includes research, study, criticism, review, and reporting of news. Copyright remains with the respective owners. These videos are made for educational purposes only.
The Australian Military Aviation History Association is a not-for-profit association with the intent of recording, preserving and promoting Australian military aviation history.
