Vulcan Models Guide
Created by Adam Poultney
Original Tailcone
Small and basic
The original tailcone of the Vulcan is significantly smaller than the version more commonly seen on later Vulcans and all preserved examples today. These Vulcans were fitted with an early version of Orange Putter.
This original tailcone was on all Vulcans produced until XA913.
Vulcans with this tailcone:
VX770, XV777, XA889-913
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Late B1 tailcone
And early B2s
The B1 received a slightly longer version of the Orange Putter tailcone from XH497 onwards- some earlier aircraft may have been refitted so check reference images. This version can be distinguished by the length and the top edge which is straight until the tip, whereas the older version has a curved profile. The first few Vulcan B2s also had this tailcone when they first flew.
Vulcans with this tailcone:
XH497-506, XH532, XH533, XH536, XH537, XH538
Some earlier airframes may have been refitted with this version
ECM tailcone
Red Steer Mk1
Developed to contain the Vulcan B2's improved ECM suite, the larger, bulbous tailcone is a distinct and easily identifiable feature of all surviving Vulcans. The Vulcan B1a was also fitted with a similar ECM suite to the B2 as a stopgap measure while the B2s were still entering service. There were actually two main versions of this tailcone: one which included Red Steer Mk1 and none which included Red Steer Mk2. Red Steer was a tail warning radar in the very tip of the tailcone, the Mk1 version was smaller and its housing was more rounded. The B1as kept the Mk1 version through their entire service life, many but not all Vulcan B2s were refitted with the Mk2
ECM tailcone
Red Steer Mk2
An improved version of Red Steer was introduced in the late 1960s, it was designated as Red Steer Mk2, with the original version being retroactively designated as Red Steer Mk1. This was only fitted to Vulcan B2s (and hence B2.MRRs) and it was refitted universally across the fleet of B2s.
A preserved Vulcan B2 with Red Steer Mk2