January 2018 FLYPAST 103To p
An earlier view of VX770 taken during 1953 when the aircraft was fi tted with Armstrong
Siddeley ASSa.6 Sapphire engines. Avro originally suggested the name Ottawa for the Type 698,
while Albion was also a possibility, before Vulcan was decided upon.while Albion was also a possibility, before Vulcan was decided upon.
Above
One of the fi rst units to be equipped with the new bomber was 83 Squadron, based at RAF
Waddington, Lincolnshire. Rolling away from the camera is B.1 XA904, which suffered a
premature end on March 1, 1961 after it ran out of fuel and collapsed by the side of the runway
at its home base.
Above left
A powerful image of the prototype Avro 698 VX770 getting airborne during the 1958 SBAC show
at Farnborough. This aircraft, fi tted with Rolls-Royce Conway engines later in its ‘career’, was
sadly lost at RAF Syerston during a Battle of Britain air display on September 20, 1958.
Above
Inside one of the servicing hangars at RAF Waddington, where one of 83 Squadron’s aircraft – Inside one of the servicing hangars at RAF Waddington, where one of 83 Squadron’s aircraft –
possibly XA904 if the intake blank is to be believed – is being serviced. Note the missing rear of possibly XA904 if the intake blank is to be believed – is being serviced. Note the missing rear of
the cockpit roof, which was detachable.