Mystery Vulcan markings

[WH904]

Further to my comments on the other Vulcan thread, I've been looking through my material and Vulcan B1 XA890 is the machine that carried rather unusual white patches on the wing leading edges, fin leading edges, and under the engine fairings. I can only assume that this is actually flourescent orange (which usually looks white on b&w photos) but I wonder if anyone can confirm this?

The other mystery is whether the paint is applied only under the engine fairings, or whether it extends right across the lower fuselage.

Of course, the biggest mystery is why it was applied in the first place!

[evansb]

XA890 was involved in Project 'E', and proving trails for rapid blooming window and infra red decoy flares, all prior to mid-1962. XA890 was transferred to RAE Bedford in 1964 for installation of experimental take-off directors. In 1968 she was transferred to A&AEE for further armament trials.

Perhaps the above time frames may assist you in determining the origin and nature of the markings.

[WH904]

Thanks for the info. I wonder if the markings were connected to Project E - if there were any drop trials?

[John Farley]

for installation of experimental take-off directors

To be nit-pickingly specific she was used to develop a take-off director for the Concorde by Aero Flight at RAE Bedford in the 1965/6 period.

I do not remember such patches being present then.

[WH904]

The two photos I found look as if they were taken pretty early in the aircraft's service life.

Here's one of them - not the best quality as you can see:-

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/Shefftim/00000797.jpg

[John Farley]

Which just shows how bad it has got...sorry!

This is a mid 60s pic at Bedford while it was on the Concorde TOD trial

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/johnfarley/XA890atBedford_zps29032450.jpg

[WH904]

That's a fascinating photo - I assume the Aero Flight titling is in red?

Do you think the patches are fluorescent orange? They do seem to be slightly brighter than the centre of the national insignia.

I can't quite determine what is going on underneath the aircraft. It looks like the same colour is also applied across the engine fairings, but I can't quite decide if it extends right across the belly to the other side. I'm inclined to think it does.

I can't imagine what the colours would have been applied for, unless it was just regarded as the accepted thing to do at the RAE back then - I guess silver with orange patches was a fairly standard paint scheme for RAE machines.

[Cows getting bigger]

I'm not convinced it is a paint job. The colours appear to coincide with panels. Could it be some form of alternative materials trial, possibly anti-icing?

[WH904]

I'm inclined to think it's "Fabglow" - the fluorescent orange sticky-backed plastic sheeting that was applied to a lot of RAE and RAF aircraft in the 1960s. It was usually applied to avoid panel joints (as could be seen on things like the Varsity and Hastings tail fins, etc.). It would explain the positioning but I can't see any real purpose for it unless it was just standard practise at the time. Does seem a bit odd to apply paint or sticky-backed plastic across the engine areas though?

[John Farley]

Yes Aero Flight was in red.

I have asked the people looking after the Aero Flight archives if they have any colour pics. If they get back to me I will let you know.

J

[Fake Sealion]

The photo in post #5 looks to me as if it was taken at RAF Abingdon.
In the distance is an apron with several Beverley's. This looks exactly like the 47Sqn area in the North Eastern part of the airfield.

[Haraka]

Isn't that a Shackleton( T.4?) to the right of the Beverleys in that shot?

[Fake Sealion]

Shackleton perhaps or more probably a Hastings, also a common sight at Abingdon in the 50's/60's.

[Fareastdriver]

Whwn I passed out of flying training on Vampires we, having done our advanced stage on jets, were always sent on to jet propelled operational aircraft.

One of our number played rugby at a very high level.

He was posted to Abingdon, on Beverleys, because that was where the RAF Rugby team waS based.

[Haraka]

or more probably a Hastings,
Ah yes. That makes more sense ( the clutter in the background behind the nose fooled me). Also the fuselage angle and height is of a Hastings.

[India Four Two]

One of our number played rugby at a very high level.


I bet he wished he'd kept quiet about that. :E

[John Farley]

Aero Flight archive people only have B&W.

Sorry.

JF

[WH904]

Thanks for trying John. I didn't even know that somebody had saved the Aero Flight's imagery. That's good to know!

[WH904]

If anyone can help solve the mystery of where the paint is applied underneath the aircraft that would be a big help - I'm preparing colour scheme drawings so I'd obviously like to tackle this one but I don't want to guess anything unless I have to!

[John Farley]

I am trying to contact the boffin who ran the 890 trial and flew in the back operating the flight test kit on all the test sorties. He might remember something.

J

[GOLF_BRAVO_ZULU]

If we accept, as is likely, that the patches are orange Day-Glo Fablon, black and white images would be useful. I wonder if those panels under 890's jet pipe fairings extend spanwise under the wings?

I find it particularly interesting that the National marking and serial numbers on the fin seem to align with fuselage contour beneath. Normally they are near parallel with the leading edge/top of the fin's dorsal fillet. Her appearance at Farnborough in '55 illustrates this;
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/82/Vulcan_B1_XA890_1955.jpgCourtesy RuthAS

[Fake Sealion]

Assuming post # 5 was taken at RAF Abingdon then this is an odd visitor for this airfield. Could perhaps be an early arrival for a B of B Display (or a late departure!) as the crown barriers etc are absent.
Could be it diverted there following some sort of emergency?

In front of the Vulcan there appear to be children wandering around!:hmm:

[John Farley]

Bingo chaps

From the trials boffin:

“Those panels were certainly gloss white. They were there before Aero Flight acquired the aircraft and there were 3 panels on the leading edge of each wing and I think six on the leading edge of the fin. I understand that they were sprayed on before the V-Bombers were repainted white (with pale roundels) to reflect the flash from exploding nuclear bombs. Their purpose was to test paints provided by various manufacturers before the contract was placed. They seemed to be equally satisfactory as none ever to my knowledge ever stripped back from the leading edge. They were useful in that one could easily tell Aero Flight's XA890 from BLEU’s XA899.

[WH904]

Well done John and thanks - that solves the puzzle neatly. I would have put money on the patches being orange! Never even thought about the possibility of paint trials but I guess it makes perfect sense actually!

[John Farley]

Pleasure.

J