BBC News | In pictures: Key moments in RAF history, 1962: The V-force

1962: The V-force

Having dropped the first British atomic bomb from an aircraft in 1956, the RAF assumes responsibility for the UK�s nuclear deterrent.

The "V Force" had an aircraft at 15 minutes� readiness to launch a nuclear strike.

The V-bombers, as they were known, were the Vickers Valiant, Avro Vulcan and the Handley Page Victor - shown here.


�In pictures:�Key moments in RAF history

	1962: The V-force Having dropped the first British atomic bomb from an aircraft in 1956, the RAF assumes responsibility for the UK�s nuclear deterrent. The "V Force" had an aircraft at 15 minutes� readiness to launch a nuclear strike. The V-bombers, as they were known, were the Vickers Valiant, Avro Vulcan and the Handley Page Victor - shown here.