Victor K.2 XL231

Before we get onto our star of the show let’s have a little look at our host site. RAF Elvington in Yorkshire is a former Royal Air Force and United States Air Force Station in Yorkshire. Originally a grass runway it formed part of N°4 Group and Bomber Command. After the start of WW2 the airfield was completely remodelled sporting three new hardened runways when it reopened in October 1942. 

The first squadron to operate from Elvington was 77 Squadron who brought with them around 20 aircraft in the form of the Armstrong Whitworth Whitley bomber. However, outdated, the Whitley was quickly replaced with the Handley Page Halifax which is rather fitting for this shoot. Whilst at Elvington, 77 Squadron suffered atrocious losses with over 500 aircrew killed, missing or taken prisoner. The squadron did of course play a vital role in the European theatre taking part in raids over Germany from Berlin to the Ruhr. Come May 1944, 77 Squadron were moved out to RAF Full Sutton and 346 ‘Guyenne’ Squadron and 347 ‘Tunisie’ Squadron of the French Air Force moved in. On that note, interestingly Elvington was the only airfield in Britain to host the remaining Free French Forces. They also flying the Halifax, they called Elvington home until October 1945 when they were able to relocate home to Bordeaux. During the course of their time at Elvington the French lost nearly half of their strength in combat and as such there is a memorial in the nearby village to their memory. 

It wasn’t until 1952 that the airfield saw considerable change with the main runway greatly extended in preparation for use by the United States Air Force. The runway stood at an impressive 3,094m (10,151ft) in length. The site also had a new hard stating ramp constructed alongside a new control tower, designed to be a Strategic Air Command (SAC) dispersal airfield. However after spending an eye-watering £4 million (that’s nearly £82 Million in today’s’ money) USAF abandoned the airfield in 1958 after never becoming operational.

Roll onto the 1960s and the airfield saw the arrival of the Blackburn Buccaneer for testing by the Blackburn Aircraft Company. Elvington retained its place on the RAF’s map by being a relief landing ground for flying students at RAF Church Fenton and RAF Linton-on-Ouse until it’s closure in March 1992. Unfortunately the airfield is now used for motorsports, a crying shame for such a space, a space that was designed for aircraft. Thankfully the good news is the Yorkshire Air Museum affectionately known as YAM, have a space in the South Eastern corner of the airfield with the control tower. Whilst they give a home to some impressive aircraft I’m here to talk about just one for now, the Handley Page Victor K.2.

The Handley Page Victor was originally developed as a strategic bomber in the face of the Cold War as a B.1 and B.2. However by March 1972 the K.2 variant had been developed to convert it into a Tanker. Powered by four Rolls-Royce Conway engines which could generate up to 20,600 lbs of thrust each, it could maintain 640mph at 40,000ft over a 3,500 mile range. The K.2s had their star moment during the Falklands Conflict in 1982 when they enabled the bombing of Port Stanley airport as part of Operation Black Buck. The K.2s also saw active service in Operation Granby in 1991. 

Our Victor K.2 at Elvington is XL231 she first flew on the 28^th December 1961. XL231 entered service at RAF Wittering with 139 Squadron on 31^st January 1962. Whilst with 139 Squadron she operated under the role of a conventional bomber until November 1963 where a conversion took place to B.2R specifications to accommodate the Blue Steel missile. XL231 served with 139 until its disbandment in 1968 at RAF Wittering. In 1969 a return to Handley Page meant a conversion to K.2 specifications and the start of a tanker’s life. She was however shifted to Woodford as a development aircraft where she underwent many modifications but not flying again until 1^st March 1972. Between 1972 and 1974 XL231 was an important platform for testing of the K.2 programme down at Boscombe with A&AEE. After 9 years away XL231 re-entered service with the Royal Air Force at RAF Marham with 57 Squadron on the 8^th July 1977. During Her Majesty’s Silver Jubilee review in late July 1977, XL231 formed part of the static display at RAF Finningley. 

In 1982 with the rapid action taken down in the Falkland Islands, XL231 was heavily involved in the build-up, helping to train crews in air-to-air refuelling, enabling a strategic air response to the invasion. After the war was won, XL231 continued her service, forming part of the ‘Airbridge’ flights to maintaining the British presence on the islands, ensuring that adequate support reached its destination until 1985. In 1985 she was moved onto 55 Squadron but shortly moved back to 57 until their disbandment in June 1986. Yo-yoing around XL231 ended up back with 55 Squadron where she saw service in 1990-91 supporting operation in Operation Granby in that signature tan colour with the nose art of ‘Lusty Lindy’. XL231 retired after a 31 year career on 15^th October 1993. 

Her very last flight was on 25^th November 1993 which brought her into Elvington her final home. XL231 is now fantastically cared for by a dedicated group of volunteers, who have recently returned her to her camouflage paint scheme. She is in working order, her engines wound up from time to time but alas she cannot run for access to the airfield has now ceased, which is a real shame. Now in its camouflage scheme it wore whilst serving with 232 OCU in the early 1980s it stands as a shining reminder to an era of aviation greatness and the last of the Cold War Warriors. 

I would like to thank the Yorkshire Air Museum, their fantastic volunteers, COAP and the Victor’s Owner Andre Tempest for this superb opportunity and what a spectacular night it turned out to be!