Warplanes of the UK: Handley Page Victor

Handley Page Victor

(RAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CF-116 Freedom Fighters refuel from a Handley Page Victor K.2 tanker (Serial No. XH588) of No. 55 Squadron, RAF, in May 1971. The fighters, flown by test pilots Major Ned Henderson and Captain Stan Kerel, No. 433 Squadron, were taking part in air-to-air refuelling trials to test the feasibility of the probe and drogue system used by the RAF. The trials were considered a success and a number of Boeing 707 airframes were converted and entered service as Boeing CC-137s with the Canadian Air Force.

(Mike Freer Photo - Touchdown Aviation)

Handley Page HP-80 Victor K2.

(RAF Photo)

Handley Page Victor. The production B.1 Victors were propelled by Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire ASSa.7 turbojets, boasting a thrust rating of 11,000 lbf (49 kN). Initially armed with the Blue Danube, they later transitioned to the more potent Yellow Sun upon its availability. Additionally, Victors carried U.S.-supplied Mark 5's through the Project E program and the British Red Beard tactical nuclear weapon. A total of 24 aircraft underwent upgrades to the B.1A standard between 1958 and 1960, which included the installation of Red Steer tail warning radar within an enlarged tail-cone, alongside a suite of radar warning receivers and electronic countermeasures (ECM).

(RAF Photo, via Jets and Props)

Handley Page Victor (Serial No. XA930), departing from the de Havilland Aircraft Company aerodrome at Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England, 14 July 1960 at 190,000lb all-up weight assisted in a trial take-off assisted by de Havilland Spectre rockets.

(RAF Photo)

Handley Page Victor B.1 (Serial No. XA935), with Vickers Valiant B(PR).1 (Serial No. WZ391) of No. 543 Squadron RAF, and a Canberra PR.7 (possibly Serial No. WJ815) of No. 58 Squadron RAF.