Handley Page Victor (HP80) Conversion to K2 Tankers (2)

(Monochrome Photograph) - At Woodford the returning Nose and Wing Sections are being reattached to the fuselage and the remaining aircraft completed.

The structural work involved replacing sections of the spar to shorten the wingspan by 3ft. This was needed in order to reduce wing bending stresses and extend the airframe life. The first delivery to the RAF was Aircraft XL233 on 7th May 1974 and the last XH672 on 23rd Aug 1978. Yet more cancellations in the Defence Review of 1975 meant that only 24 conversions were carried out. These aircraft were originally planned to fly until 1988. However, a few aircraft continued in service with 55 Squadron until October 1993.

(2Nr Colour Photographs showing completed Victors)