What follows was written for a Naval Forum, but it seems appropriate here in view of the Vulcan's final summer - and what magnificent photos above!
It was 1965, and HMS Centaur's final summer. This meant an agreeable Med cruise despite plenty of hard work for a slightly smaller than usual Air Group. It included spells in Malta and Gib, several interesting visits elsewhere, a NATO exercise and an unusual day with a Vulcan.
Much of what took place with the Vulcan during the morning involved interceptions at high level, with Sea Vixens departing and returning. Later in the day, almost all aircraft had been struck down with just a few beyond the safety line forr'ard when the Vulcan asked to come and do a fly-by.
Within minutes, what seemed like most of the Ship's Company was on the Flight Deck, that big white bat was always a crowd-puller. My memories of the arrival and initial fly-by are a bit vague, but I'll never forget the finale.
One of the pilots must have done a Fleet Air Arm exchange at some point. On the Flight Deck we couldn't hear the radio exchanges but it was clear they were doing a standard carrier join. In from astern and up the starboard side close to the ship at 400 feet.
10 seconds ahead of the ship and then a port break onto the downwind leg. Wheels down, flap down, finals turn and there it was - huge and looming at us, they had clearly picked up the mirror sight and were coming straight down the Glideslope......
We stood silent, rooted with fascination as it got bigger. When the Vulcan reached about 100 feet a voice said "Bloody
'ELL!" and there was a concerted dive for the catwalks.
At the last moment, the Vulcan lazily lifted the starboard wing to avoid the island, opened up all four Olympus engines to full chat, flew along the port side of the angle just above the highest object (the Mirror Sight) and then pulled up as close to the vertical as it could. The sight was impressive, the noise was bone-shaking.
The Vulcan leveled off, waggled its wings and departed. And about a thousand of us climbed sheepishly out of the catwalks.......
With thanks for the memory,
Mike