Vulcan Legend by Philip West

Anyone listening to the roar of four mighty Olympus engines powering Avro's famous aircraft skywards instantly understands why the name is so appropriate - 'Vulcan' - the Roman god of fire.

Once-heard and never-forgotten, the noise was just a start, and the Vulcan is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful bombers ever built. However, these sleek lines and dramatic delta wings belied a sinister intent of strategic bombing and the one-time conveyor of Britain's nuclear deterrent. Thankfully, in that role, never used.

But the Vulcan's durability, adaptability, and maneuverability gave it a life span far beyond its original purpose as it morphed into several roles: aerial tanker, long-range reconnaissance, and most memorably as a conventional bomber until final retirement in 1984. By then it had risen to fame for its part in some of the longest bomber missions ever undertaken - the famous 'Black Buck Raids' carried out during the Falklands War - each raid a non-stop, round trip of some 8,000 miles from RAF Ascension Island to the Falklands, involving a herculean refueling strategy with up to 11 Handley-Page Victor aerial tankers needed to refuel each other as well as the single Vulcan.