Sir Anthony Pilots the Vulcan

 Yorkshire Post – 7 September 1955

Sir Anthony Eden, the Prime Minister, made flying history yesterday when he took over the controls of Britain’s new delta-wing atom-bomber, the Avro Vulcan, while on a 17-minute flight over the Hampshire and Sussex countryside.

Sir Anthony, wearing a light blue Air Force overall over his ordinary clothes, sat in the co-pilot’s seat next to Wing Commander Roland Falk, Avro’s superintendent of flying.

The Wing Commander took the giant 99ft. wing-span plane off the ground, but in the air Sir Anthony took over.

Handled it nicely

Afterwards Wing Commander Falk said: “Obviously he has had some flying experience because he handled the Vulcan quite nicely.” Sir Anthony did most of the navigating, he added.

The Vulcan took off at 3.26 p.m. and landed at the Blackbush Aerodrome, a few miles away at 3:33 p.m. It flew down to the coast beyond Arundel, turned east along the South Coast towards Hastings, and then headed back inland.

So from dominating the country’s political scene at Westminster, Sir Anthony stole the limelight at the Farnborough air display. He had arrive sedately in an RAF Dragonfly hellicopter, the one used for carrying members of the Royal Family, before his flight in the near supersonic Vulcan, whose top speed is still secret.

No rolls – by request

It is believe that he flew at around the 400 M.p.h mark. Sir Anthony accepted the inviation to make the flight in the VUlcan late in the afternoon while he was inspecting the show. He told Sir Roy Dobson, managing director of A V Roe “I would like to fly in your bomber as long as you don’t roll it.”
This was a reference to the Wing Commander Falk’s having rolled the plane when it was on show in the air on Monday.

Delayed by Auster

At Blackbush the Vulcan had to make a second circuit because a small Auster plane took off from the runway after the bomber had been given permission to land.

Wing Commander Falk said later that there was no danger involved, adding. “I probably could have landed behind him, but that is not the sort of thing you do.”.

On landing Sir Anthony was helped out of his flying suit by Mr George Winn, the airport manager. Asked if he had enjoyed the trip, he replied “Wonderful. Wonderful. Wonderful.”

To a reporter, he said “It was as smooth as a magic carpet. It was a very fine flight.

After thanking the pilot, Sir Anthony returned to his helicopter which took him back to Chequers. The Vulcan returned to Farnborough.

P1 Surprise

Before his flight, Sir Anthony, referring to his tour of the exhibition said “I have been very impressed to see how the British aircraft industry in all its many variants is meeting the modern needs for aircraft and engines and is always preparing itself vigorously to meet the demands of the future. It has been a most inspiring day”.

The display yesterday ended with another surprise appearance of Britain’s latest faster than sound fighter, the English Electric P1. Piloted by English Electric’s chief test pilot, Wing Commander R. P. Beaumont. The P1 dived at tremendous speed and Beaumont demonstrated the plane’s maneuverability by spinning and rolling the aircraft high above the field. Although the show opened on Monday, yesterday was the first trade day.