Re: Vulcan Limit
The Vulcan was certainly capable of such heights when light, the problems being:
1. There were 2 types of oxygen regulator. The Mk17 could not deliver the required overpressure at such heights, being capable of a maximum of 30mm Hg overpressure. However, although the Mk21 could deliver up to 50mm Hg overpressure, it was necessary to wear a counterpressure pressure jerkin and anti 'g' suit in order for the crew to cope with such high levels of pressure breathing.
2. In the event of loss of the cockpit canopy, aerodynamic suck could reduce cabin altitude by 5000 ft, so to lose the canopy at 50000ft gave a cabin altitude of 55000ft.
3. The aeroplane was so aerodynamically clean, that it took too long to descend from high level to a height at which the Mk17 regulator would cope. So, if you decided to fly at 56000ft and were to lose the canopy, the time of useful consciousness would be less than the time it would take to descend to a safe level.....
Did people bust the limit? I've been up to above FL510 with one captain who decided that the chance of losing the canopy or experiencing explosive decompression were infinitessimal. No-one had ever suffered either problem in the past. The aeroplane flew quite happily and we turned with 45 deg AoB watching a pair of F4s trying unsuccessfully to get a firing solution.