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Avro Vulcan XA903 Farnborough
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Avro Vulcan XA903 Farnborough
First public appearance of the then unnamed stand-off bomb. Eventually called Blue Steel it became the standard British air carried nuclear weapon. This aircraft later became the testbed for the Olympus engine used by Concorde. Date: 1958
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Media ID 14166646
© A Flying History / The Peter Keating Aviation Photograph Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library
1958 Appearance Avro Bomb Called Carried Concorde Eventually Farnborough Nuclear Olympus Stand Standard Testbed Unnamed Vulcan Weapon Xa903
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this historic photograph, Avro Vulcan XA903 takes to the skies above Farnborough Airshow in 1958, marking the first public appearance of the then unnamed stand-off bomb that would later become a pivotal part of the British nuclear arsenal. The sleek and powerful Avro Vulcan, with its distinctive delta wing design, was an advanced jet-powered bomber that represented the cutting edge of aviation technology at the time. As XA903 soared through the clear English skies, it carried an innovative new weapon system that would eventually be known as Blue Steel. This weapon, which was designed to be dropped from high altitudes and deliver a nuclear payload to targets deep within enemy territory, would become the standard British air-carried nuclear weapon. The successful test of Blue Steel during this flight marked a significant milestone in the development of the UK's nuclear deterrent capability. But the Avro Vulcan's role in aviation history did not end there. After the development of Blue Steel, XA903 went on to become a testbed for the powerful Olympus engine, which would later power the iconic Concorde supersonic passenger jet. This engine, with its ability to generate unprecedented thrust and efficiency, allowed Concorde to break the sound barrier and revolutionize air travel. This photograph captures a moment of innovation and progress in the history of flight and aviation technology, as the Avro Vulcan XA903 paved the way for new advancements in air power and transportation capabilities.
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