Avro Vulcan .... Awesome?

[Tenzin]

Did anyone else see the magnificent Avro Vulcan flying around Basingstoke yesterday. The Vulcan was part of the RAF's V bomber force, which fulfilled the role of nuclear deterrence against the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

It brought back mixed memories of my childhood in the sixties, I lived in Peterborough close to RAF Wittering and these bomber regularly flew low over our house shaking the windows and drowning out any other noise. In those days I think many of us lived in fear of nuclear annihilation it was a real prospect and we were constantly reminded of it in the news as east and west postured.

To reassure us government propaganda with the motto Protect and Survive assured us we would be OK. I seem to remember us common folk were advised to remove doors and make a shelter under the stairs or even under a stout tables whilst the elite were deep underground in purpose built bunkers .

After so many years it was both awesome and sobering watching this beautiful plane against a almost perfect sunny blue sky. Sobering because these plane could have brought death and destruction to hundreds of thousands of Russians and East Europeans and assured our ultimate destruction too. ‘Mutually Assured Destruction’ I think they called it, a bit of a gamble I’d call it.

Great days! I guess this generation have the prospect of global warming to bring about the apoplectic annihilation of planet earth. Perhaps a feeling of hopelessness is why so many live such a hedonistic and materialistic life in a boozy haze........ party until the planet pops!


BTW getting the Vulcan airborne again was helped by a
Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £2.73million .......good use of lottery money ?

[non-stick]

I saw that - looked like concorde in camoflage. Now I normally find the RAF flights irritating but that one definetly had something about it

[shell]

Oh i saw that a little while ago. I assumed the airforce had bought up the now dissused Concorde

[Tenzin]

(13-11-2008 10:02 PM)shell Wrote:  Oh i saw that a little while ago. I assumed the airforce had bought up the now dissused Concorde

What with a bit cut off the fuselage you think they only bought the wings Shell?


The thing is now they have spent millions getting it airborne it might not fly again because of the cost.

[shell]

(15-11-2008 01:18 PM)Tenzin Wrote:  

(13-11-2008 10:02 PM)shell Wrote:  Oh i saw that a little while ago. I assumed the airforce had bought up the now dissused Concorde

What with a bit cut off the fuselage you think they only bought the wings Shell?

It was high up and going fast! - And I didn't have my glasses on

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(15-11-2008 01:18 PM)Tenzin Wrote:  

(13-11-2008 10:02 PM)shell Wrote:  Oh i saw that a little while ago. I assumed the airforce had bought up the now dissused Concorde

What with a bit cut off the fuselage you think they only bought the wings Shell?

It was high up and going fast! - And I didn't have my glasses on

[Tenzin]

(15-11-2008 01:36 PM)shell Wrote:  

(15-11-2008 01:18 PM)Tenzin Wrote:  

(13-11-2008 10:02 PM)shell Wrote:  Oh i saw that a little while ago. I assumed the airforce had bought up the now dissused Concorde

What with a bit cut off the fuselage you think they only bought the wings Shell?

It was high up and going fast! - And I didn't have my glasses on

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(15-11-2008 01:18 PM)Tenzin Wrote:  

(13-11-2008 10:02 PM)shell Wrote:  Oh i saw that a little while ago. I assumed the airforce had bought up the now dissused Concorde

What with a bit cut off the fuselage you think they only bought the wings Shell?

It was high up and going fast! - And I didn't have my glasses on

You don't say and whats your excuse this time ..... seeing double

(15-11-2008 01:36 PM)shell Wrote:  

(15-11-2008 01:18 PM)Tenzin Wrote:  

(13-11-2008 10:02 PM)shell Wrote:  Oh i saw that a little while ago. I assumed the airforce had bought up the now dissused Concorde

What with a bit cut off the fuselage you think they only bought the wings Shell?

It was high up and going fast! - And I didn't have my glasses on

---

(15-11-2008 01:18 PM)Tenzin Wrote:  

(13-11-2008 10:02 PM)shell Wrote:  Oh i saw that a little while ago. I assumed the airforce had bought up the now dissused Concorde

What with a bit cut off the fuselage you think they only bought the wings Shell?

It was high up and going fast! - And I didn't have my glasses on

You don't say and whats your excuse this time ..... seeing double double

[Xtro]

This brings back memories to me as well.

The Protect and Survive leaflets and TV transmissions were also featured in the BBC drama/documentary, "Threads". This shows the build up to and the aftermath of a nuclear attack on Sheffield.

You can also see the Protect and Survive videos in the Imperial War Museum.

I am also old enough to remember the extract from Protect and Survive in the intro to 'Two Tribes' from Frankie Goes to Hollywood.