Comments by "W Bertie" (@wbertie2604) on "First of the V’s - The Vickers Valiant" video.

  1. The RAF, even as the V-bombers were introduced, calculated that by 1960, they would be vulnerable to SAMs and obsolescent. Hence low-level being examined with Valiant and Victor low-level designs being considered before it was considered simpler to use the Vulcan. So I'm unconvinced that the Valiant B.2 was cancelled because low-level intruders were considered to not required. Indeed, if you look at the ORs for types to meet post-1960 mission profiles they emphasise a low-level approach with a pop up to deliver Blue Steel. The other ekement specified in the mid-50s was a low-level, supersomic strike aircraft with a tactical nuclear load designed to take out SAMs, radar, airbases. That was to become the TSR-2 but after many delays its projected in-service date was the year the V-bomber force was to be finally stood down (1970) due to the agreement to buy Polaris.
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