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Model Ideas

On this page are some ideas for Vulcans you can model using either kit decals or aftermarket decal sheets. I've also included the configuration information you will need to make these accurately.

XM571, c. mid 1960s

For a fairly simple camouflaged Vulcan B2 with Blue Steel, XM571 is an ideal option. It lacks the refuelling probe which can be delicate in smaller scales and there are plenty of good quality photos of her around the mid 1960s. You can do XM570, 572 and 573 in a very similar configuration.

For this Vulcan:

Olympus 202, twin ECM plates, wide intakes, Red Steer Mk1, original smooth nose, original tailcap, early antennas, Blue Steel, early Doppler Radar panel, skybolt coolant blister only, no X Band Jammer.

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The 1/144 Pit Road Vulcan with Blue Steel includes decals for this scheme. The Trumpeter and new Airfix kits are also ideal to build this Vulcan although may require a few modifications.

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Vulcan B2 XM571, image credit: IWM, licence

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XH558, 2010s scheme

XH558 is one of the most popular Vulcans to model. However due to its history as a Vulcan B2, B2.MRR, K2 and then being reverted to near-B2 configuration it is a little complicated to get right.

For XH558:

Olympus 202, one ECM plate, circular cap nose, Red Steer Mk2, wide intakes, late aerials, full set of B2.MRR blisters, remove the air scoop on the tail (legacy feature of being a K2), twin emitter X Band Jammer (not original to this airframe) and RWR tail.

Note that XH558's wrap around scheme is non-standard and uses a grey similar to Medium Sea Grey. It is glossy and has soft, sprayed edges. There are a number of logos on the aircraft such as an Airbus logo on the inside of the main gear doors. The wing roundels are positioned further inboard than standard.

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617 Sqn Vulcan c. early 1960s

The famous 617 Squadron which flew the Dambusters raids in 1943 operated Vulcans from 1958 to 1981. In the early 1960s it converted to the newer Vulcan B2, replacing its B1s and B1as. These B2s were all fitted for Blue Steel and had a distinctive triple lightning bolt pattern on the tail. 617 Sqn had 10 Vulcans painted in this way. The first eight had a near identical configuration at this point, the last two were a little different.

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Their Vulcans were: XL317, XL318, XL319, XL320, XL321, XL359, XL360, XL361, XM575 and XM595.

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The XL serialed had 201 engines and had IFR probes fitted. These all lacked any Skybolt blisters. The XM serialed Vulcans had 301 engines and no IFR probe, but had Skybolt coolant blisters. All lacked X-Band Jammers. Although most of these would have twin ECM plates fitted later, they all only had one while in this scheme. 

Vulcan B2 XL317, image credit: IWM

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