el:#21: Can someone elucidate as to why Vulcan carried on so long and Victor didn't? What was wrong with Victor? Nothing. In 1959 both Marks 2 were underway, equally esteemed. Fatigue was not a design, or Spec. issue - high/far was wanted. 'Twas all to do with Skybolt and devious HSAL.
“few (contracts caused) such bitter feelings (as Blue Steel) even in ’56 (Avro puffed 1,000n.m. for later BS.Marks. MoS felt that if they) could not perfect (100n.m.) how could they (do) 10xthat? (Weapons Research Divn, many ex-RAE staff) weak management structure (criticisms) recriminations (were) common parlance” RAF Deterrent Official History, H.Wynn,P202/4. In despair, in January,59 UK joined a USAF Reqt., won June by Douglas (to be) AGM-48 Skybolt ALBM. UK appointed Avro as Sister Firm responsible for integration with RAF's 2 platforms. They said it would not fit under low Victor wings. Sir Fred HP said he would sort that, but he had been deemed "difficult" by MoS, as they juggled the "measure of coalescence" that became HSAL+BAC. Avro gave MoS the excuse needed to leave HP out in the cold. 3rd. Victor B.Mk.2 squadron was abandoned (became SR.2), first 2 to be confined to Blue Steel; all 72 Skybolt platforms to be Vulcan B.2.