Re: Vulcan Limit
The Victor K2 was limited to FL490 as well due to the Mk17 regulator. However, the K2 had short wingtips, uprigged ailerons to move the centre of pressure forward to preserve fatigue life and the AAR pods as well as the underwing tanks which were fixed on the tanker. This meant that 490 was pretty much it's max altitude although I flew one up to 520 and a bit once.
The short tips on the K2 gave a span of 117'. The B2 (bomber) had medium tips giving 120' and that could reach FL630 once the underwings were dropped. But a clean SR2 (recce) with the long tips bolted on giving a span of 123' and no underwings could reach FL670! The SR2 with 543 Sqn did the secondary role before 27 took it over.
But at altitude, the K2 handled like a dog. At light weights, the engines could push you up to a height that there was only about 2 knots between the buffet boundary and the high speed buffet. This meant turning was nigh impossible. One way round the problem was to switch the autopilot rudder channel off and steer it with your feet, thus keeping the wings level!