Tri-Service

Vulcan's Breathtaking Farewell Tour

The last flying Vulcan bomber, XH558, is continuing to provide jaw-dropping moments as its farewell tour continues.

Due to be grounded forever in September the aircraft, which once carried the UK's nuclear deterrent, is flying over all 18 UK sites that house a complete Vulcan, Victor or Valiant.

The 'Salute to the V-Force' tour marks a dramatic end to an extraordinary aircraft's life. First delivered to the RAF in 1956 Vulcan's carried Britain's first nuclear weapon, the Blue Danube atomic bomb.

See: Vulcan photobombs Scarborough wedding

That role lasted until 1970 when the Polaris submarine fleet took over the responsibilty of potentially delivering nuclear armageddon.

Switching to a more conventional role the delta-winged Vulcan's gained further fame in 1982 when they conducted what was then the world's longest distance bombing raids - flying to the Falklands to prevent the invading Argentines from being able to use the runway at Port Stanley.

Vulcans were retired from active service in 1984 although XH558 continued to fly in air displays with the RAF until 1992.

Sixteen years later, thanks to the Vulcan To The Sky Trust and the donations of thousands of members of the public, the aircraft once again took to the skies.

Now having flown far longer than any other Vulcan and with concerns over the safety of the airframe and engines one of the most iconic aircraft of the 20th century will sadly soon soar no more.

Forces TV would like to thank Antony J Cross (@antonyjohncross) for his video of Vulcan XH558 flying across Bassenthwaite Lake in Cumbria.