David Coleman is a retired Victor pilot, who is now a volunteer guide at the RAF Museum Cosford. Watch him explain what it was like to be a part of the V Force and how he felt about dropping nuclear bombs on the Soviet Union.
It's really something to think that such an unassuming man like Mr. Coleman once stood ready to deliver The Bomb. Soldiers like him must have had nerves of steel to go to work knowing that they might take off and never come home. Glad he is at the RAF Museum today to talk of those days for those of us who didn't live through them. Would love to see the museum and the V bombers if I get the chance. And Mr. Coleman, you're always welcome at my warm Florida home in Lady Lake, USA!
Many thanks for your presentation. I've always been a huge fan of the Victor, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful aircraft, designed by Sir Frederick Handley-Page.
Thank you Mr Coleman for a very informative video. The Victor is a sadly overlooked aircraft, but one of my favourites - she looks like something from a 1950s sci fi film.
I live in Seaside Oregon (on the Oregon coast) thank you for this video and more to the point, thank you for your RAF service helping to make our world safer.
The Victor always looked a bit 'Buck Rogers' or 'Flash Gordon' to me, kind of sci-fi. It's a fantastic looking aircraft. The museum at Cosford is brilliant. Anyone who hasn't been should go see it at the first opportunity.
Thanks David ... Both interesting and insightful to hear from one who actually had "hands on" back in the day. As a young boy back then with a particular interest in RAF aircraft during the time you were flying, I have always thought the Handley Page Victor with its crescent wing was a beautiful looking aircraft. ... Thankfully though, (doubtless for all mankind concerned) the nuclear payload capability it possessed during the V Force period was not tested to the limit in an actual warfare mission.
Thanks for the super insight into a lovely aircraft. I lived in Garston, near Watford, from 1955 to 1966. Victors regularly flew over our area in the Radlett circuit, often in their yellow, zinc chromate, production finish. I remember them flying over with a Blue Steel in the belly. We would also cycle to Radlett and watch the activity from the railway bridge, adjacent to the flight sheds. Plane spotting and train spotting at the same time. Bliss! Pity it wasn't also a bus route. My grandfather's last employment was in the Handley Page drawing office. PS When the Mk2 was mentioned, the clip shown was a Valiant. I claim my free ticket!
Thanks so much for this David. I was a Halton apprentice in the 1960s, but a nasty motorcycle accident put paid to my RAF career as an airframe fitter. I have been to Cosford, firstly to the hospital in the '60s, and many years later to view that amazing collection. Have lived in Aussie since '65, but many trips back to home in Wolverhampton. Thank you so much for all you do keeping the memories of these amazing aircraft alive. Best regards, Phil (686421)
It is a beautiful Bird and I would love to see one up close. I used to see them come into McClellan AFB in Sacramento Ca. in the mid to late 1960's. Admission is free, but getting there from the West coast of the USA is not. Some day, maybe.
As a child returning from London i remember seeing Victors on the ramp at the Handley Page factory i think it was near Radlett, my father was so proud to see these aircraft , I often wonder how the B52 has remained in service whilst our own better aircraft were phased out. Defence cuts recommended by inexperienced civil servants i think, i remember HP going bust in 1969 as i knew many if their apprentices, our industry is in tatters now, Cosford represents our history and culture words that are now frowned upon by the left.
Thank you ! Great video. I have a friend who was with the Vulcan display team in the 1980s just before they were taken out of service, beautiful aircraft and i actually saw one fly in 1992 at RAF St Athen but i much prefer the look of the Victor it looks years ahead of its time like something from a Sci Fi Movie. All the best.
I hope to visit RAF Cosford mostly to see a Victor in person. RAF London has a fantastic Vulcan and only the nose of a Victor but it is a great museum as well. Thanks for the video.
Nice episode thanks! Always loved the way the Victor looked. Apparently, the US Forces didn't believe it was an RAF plane when they encountered it during Desert Storm 1. I think the former factory where they were made is now a housing estate, not far from me.
Victor tanker crash landed (no casualties) day before airshow at Canadian Warplane Heritage, Mt. Hope, Ontario, Canada. Late 1980's.(Hamilton International Airport---my hometown) Converted RCAF base. Took a short chopper ride there---Bell type, same as MASH. $15
The shape of these aircraft are very interesting, they look like cartoon drawings and somehow remember me some kind of moth! I´ve built a 1/72 Revell model and really shows beautiful on the shelf.
Boy that takes me back in time. My Dad was at RAF Wittering (ground crew) & I remember the klaxons going off at 2 or 3am. My Dad was also part of 4JSTU at RAAF Edinburgh when they were testing Blue Steel missiles in Australia. Service No 2767025
You and your fellow Cold War warriors will never receive a hero's parade but please know that there are some of us who do recognize that your service and dedication to duty held a great evil at bay through a long dark night so that future generations could have a brighter day. Thank you.
Well,I take my hat off to these men,they knew that if the worst came,there would not by anything to come back to,what a decision to join the Royal Air Force Bomber Command!
Royal Air Force Museum.The videos are great, do keep them coming. I trained as a photographer at Cosford and grew to love the Museum, very fond memories clambering over exhibits during the technical phase! All this reminiscing makes me think it might be time for another visit.
very good video !!!! I still need to mention that, UNDERSTANDLY, all this demonstration of power and logistics would become a certificate of decline. they only disabled 20% of the track and it was possible to operate throughout the war ... that war, although they "won" it, showed the USSR how vulnerable NATO ships were and how much damage a country could do small and poorly armed to a much more "powerful" rival. they only had a PIRRICA victory
