Not quite in the vein of the thread but I was moved to re-read the original test reports of the Victor (the "Greater Crested Dragmaster" to some TP's) which was so named until the wing form was changed. Just to sit and enjoy the stories and the pleasure the aircraft gave to many of its pilots. Sdn Ldr Hazelden was its first pilot and was smitten. Going on with its many trials and tribulations. Of a surprise on one flight Hazelden discovered the Victor's ability "to virtually land itself" - on finals it would flare on its own ground cushion with no further input from the pilot!
Sadly the prototype crashed inn July 1954 the tailplane having seperated from the fin at Cranfield. All on board were killed. The fixing bolts had simply worn out although Handley Page had gone to great lengths to test the structural integrity all through its testing.
The second prototype was handed over to Boscombe Down in 1954 and into the hands of Geoffrey Fletcher OC 'B' Wing and a candidate of No 12 course at ETPS at Boscombe. He completed the trials of the Victor with some hairy moments but as he said at the time that the Victor "was a fine aircraft."
The Victor ended its days with the RAF in its main role as a bomber until 1974 when they were converted to tankers.
Like the Vulcan, an altogether superb history in a superb air force.
Sad it didn't continue - but that is history as they say.