Avro Vulcan

There were two styles of dark undersurface camouflage on Vulcans. After the change to low-level in 1963, the ‘anti-flash’ matt white scheme was replaced by disruptive Dark Green and Medium Sea Grey above, with Light Aircraft Grey below. When Vulcans began participating in Red Flag the defending fighters were able to spot them as they banked steeply at low level and displayed ‘acres’ of light grey against the ground. Accordingly, a few aircraft were painted with a mirror of the upper surface colours for future participation. The first was XM652, painted at St Athan in September 1979. I also have a note of XH561, XL389, XL425, XL426, XL427, XL444, XL445, XM575, XM605, XM648, XM656 and XM657. Also in this scheme was XH558, but only after operational service.
Those deployed to Ascension for the Falkland Islands campaign were painted before departure with Medium Sea Grey undersides (a single colour) if they did not already have green/grey there. The medium grey ones were XL391, XM597, XM698, XM607 and XM612. Vulcan K.2 tankers, which appeared after hostilities, had variations of a scheme involving white trailing edges to the undersides, whatever the underlying colour.

As Vulcans switched to low-level ops from the mid 1960s they had a medium Sea Grey and Dark Green camoflage upper scheme applied over the standard white, which remained on the undersides to reduce the effects of nuclear flash.
As the aircraft went tactical in the early-mid 1970s Light Aircraft Grey replaced the white on the undersides, while the upper camo scheme remained the same MSG & DG. Some aircraft were finished in gloss, possibly the B.2 MRRs ussed in the reconnaissance role.

One interesting variation of the standard scheme was on XM607 & XM648 which while on a 'Red Flag 77' excercise had an all over wraparound camoflage scheme, the upper sides remaining in MSG & DG but the underside camo was in Tan & Dark Brown, as seen on some Buccaneers.
In late 1979 a complete wraparound scheme of Dark Sea Grey and Dark Green was introduced (following on from most other RAF tactical aircraft) and applied to some (around 14-15 a/c?) Vulcans.

The Falklands War 'Black Buck' Vulcans (XM607, XM597, & '598) wore the Medium Sea Grey & Dark Green camo upper, but with a unique Dark Sea Grey underside.

One reason why XH558 looks slightly odd is that the wraparound scheme it wears now was applied post service for display, so instead of it being Dark Sea Grey & Dark Green, uses a Medium Sea Grey.

To your question, the aircraft used in the documentry would have been XH558 with the wraparound scheme, hence it appearing with other schemed Vulcans, the Falklands aircraft had a very dark underside.

A bit off topic.
i'm thinking of building an Airfix Vulcan and Painting it in Anti-Flash White.
Any ideas what is the closest Humbrol enamel paint number to resemble that shade of white?

I did my 617 sqn machine with Humbrol satin white (H130), then one coat over the paint and decals with Johnsons Klear. This gives just the right sheen to my eye.
Avoid Humbrol gloss white as it yellows.
I'm a hand brush person though, so others may recommend Halfords white spray cans or acrylics.

Thanks James.
I'm a hand brush person myself. never really any good with spray cans (the patchwork re-sprays on my last car would demonstrate that)
Think i might buy the Airfix kit and attempt it sometime next month.

Same here! Mind you having just got the Airfix Valiant I might consider trying a spray can if I do it white.
The Vulcan kit is pretty good, my only gripe was the jet pipes that really do need work to tidy up, or rectify with after market items.

Thanks for the answers folks. My question was due to my knowledge of bombing being limited to either high level WW2 type or the more recent Blackburn Buccaneer 'dustgobbler' style of belt in full tilt at zero altitude, sling yer bombload on the baddies and b****r off sharpish - ! No reverse camoflage required - !

Was driving by wednesday and heard a rather nice sound, they had the vulcan out testing its engines, sadly all i had on me was my works compact camera.

This image is hidden for guests.
Please log in or register to see it.

This image is hidden for guests.
Please log in or register to see it.

This image is hidden for guests.
Please log in or register to see it.

Hi Tamiya monkey Good shots there even if it was with your comact camera & I bet hearing those Olimpus engeines being run up was music to your hears "MAGIC "
Regards ,
Alan,
Bomber.

They did sounds great Alan, must remember to take my proper camera out with with me ready for next time. Im now the doncaster traffic signal engineer, so will be sat up there anytime its quite.

Regards Mark