This product has been released, you can find out more on the product page
Just Flight are excited to bring you the iconic delta-wing Avro Vulcan, developed by Just Flight's in-house team after comprehensive, hands-on research with a real-life Vulcan B Mk. 2, XM655, based at Wellesbourne Airfield. This product includes the B Mk. 2 strategic bomber, K.2 Air-to-Air Refuelling and Maritime Radar Reconnaissance (MRR) variants that saw service with the Royal Air Force.
The aircraft has been modelled to an exceptional level of detail and features stunning 8k textures, with paint schemes covering its time in RAF service, realistic payloads (including Blue Steel, 1,000 lb bombs and bomb bay tanks) and custom ground equipment. Realistic animations include crew and bomb bay doors, Ram Air Turbine, multi-position airbrakes and the distinctive braking parachute.
The Captain and Co-Pilot positions in the cockpit are modelled with hundreds of functional switches, knobs and controls. A selection of rear crew panels are also modelled. The aircraft features complex custom-coded systems based on real-world manuals, including electrical, fuel and engine systems, and TACAN and VOR navigation.
The aircraft are brought to life with wear and tear based on extensive reference photos, immersive dynamic cockpit and exterior lighting and 3D Wwise sounds.
The Vulcan B Mk2 is an iconic, four-engine, delta-wing strategic bomber which saw service in the UK during the Cold War. XM655, on which this product is based, was the third-from-last Vulcan to be produced for the Royal Air Force. It was delivered in 1964 and saw service as part of the UK’s nuclear deterrent force throughout the 60s and 70s. It is now being preserved by a team of volunteers at Wellesbourne Airfield.
Following the Falklands War, six Avro Vulcan B Mk2s were converted for air-to-air refuelling as an interim solution prior to the delivery of VC10 and Tristar tanker aircraft that were due to replace the aging Victor tankers. This conversion consisted of the addition of a Hose Drum Unit (HDU) mounted in the tail cone, and three bomb-bay drum tanks. The K.2 variants served with 50 Squadron (RAF Waddington) from 1982 to 1984.
In 1973 nine Avro Vulcan B Mk2s were converted for Maritime Radar Reconnaissance (MRR). The MRR variants flew patrols around the coast of the UK, primarily operating at high level and using the radar to monitor shipping but also flying at low level for visual identification and inspection. They had a secondary role carrying out air sampling, flying through airbourne contamination following nuclear tests and using air sampling pods mounted under each wing to collect samples for analysis. The MRR variants served with 27 Squadron (RAF Scampton) from 1973 to 1982, at which point the Nimrod took over these duties.
You can download the extensive Vulcan Operations Manual and EFB manual if you'd like to take a look at the documentation included with the aircraft!
Model
Accurately modelled Avro Vulcan B Mk2, K.2 and MRR built using real-world aircraft plans and comprehensive photography of the real aircraft (XM655)
K.2 air-to-air refuelling variant with Hose Drum Unit (HDU) and animated hose
Maritime Radar Reconnaissance (MRR) variant with air sampling pods and nose blade aerials
Many detailed animations, including:
- Crew door
- Bomb bay doors (with realistic deployment speed)
- Multi-position airbrakes (accurately linked to landing gear position)
- Drogue and main brake-chutes
- Deployable ram-air-turbine (RAT)
- Variable-speed wipers
- Tilting main landing gear
- Flying controls (including elevons)
- Animated pilots
- Retractable taxi/landing lights (with realistic ‘blowback’ above 180 knots)
A range of payload options, selectable via the EFB tablet:
- Blue Steel nuclear stand-off missile
- 1,000lb bombs
- WE.177 nuclear bomb
- Saddle bomb bay tanks
- Cylindrical bomb bay tanks
- Shrike anti-radar missiles
Most payloads can be jettisoned and can be seen falling away from the aircraft
Ability to configure external model options for each livery – refuelling probe, 201/301 engines, TFR dome, modern aerials and tail fin ECM, HDU, air sampling pods and aerials
Olympus 201 and 301 engine nozzle types
Ground equipment, including Houchin GPU and Palouste compressor for engine start (with custom ground equipment paint schemes for each livery/squadron) and engine covers and chocks
8k textures are used to produce the highest possible texture clarity
Full support for MSFS visual icing effects
Cockpit
A truly 3D virtual cockpit right down to accurately modelled ejection seats and screw heads - every instrument is constructed fully in 3D with smooth animations
A selection of rear crew panels that are essential to operating the aircraft are modelled - AEO panels for controlling the AAPP, RAT and secondary supplies, and Navigator panels for controlling the TACAN and IFF/transponder
Cockpit textures feature wear and tear based on reference photos taken in the real aircraft to produce an authentic environment
Aircraft state system which will automatically save the aircraft state whenever a flight is saved and reload it whenever that flight is loaded
Aircraft configuration system which allows you to choose between 'Cold & Dark', ‘Ready for Taxi’ or 'Ready for Take-off'
Many features have been added to help with usability such as the ability to hide the control sticks for a better view of the instruments and pre-set angled views for the autopilot and rear crew panels
Tablet EFB for controlling various aircraft states, options and payloads, with Navigraph and SimBrief integration and a moving map
Developed using the latest MSFS standards, including intuitive and easy-to-use controls for rotary knobs, multi-position switches and levers
Fully compatible with MSFS VR mode
Realistic V/UHF radio unit – save and recall commonly used frequencies
Fully functioning magnetic indicators, warning lights and push-to-test buttons
Numerous animated blinds and visors
Realistic flight instruments, including direction horizon, beam compass, control surface and CG indicators
No detail is too small – even the option to switch between day and night modes on the landing gear indicator is included!
Aircraft systems
Custom-coded systems based on real-world manuals, including:
Fuel system – fuel tank groups, transfer and cross-feed, air-to-air refuelling simulation via controls on the tablet EFB
Custom-coded electrical system - alternators, Airborne Auxiliary Power Plant (AAPP), Ram Air Turbine (RAT), synchroniser busbar and AEO panels for controlling the AAPP, RAT and secondary supplies
Flying controls system - Powered Flying Controls (PFCs), Mach trimmer and auto-stabilisers
Engine start system – rapid or normal engine starting, cross-bleed and Palouste external air supplies
Hydraulic system, including the electrically operated hydraulic power pack unit (EHPP)
Oxygen system, including oxygen regulator system with realistic consumption based on altitude – watch the oxygen quantity drop with usage
Air conditioning system – cabin pressurisation and air conditioning, emergency depressurisation controls
Thermal anti-icing system, including airframe and engine anti-icing
Autopilot, including pitch and bank hold
TACAN and VOR navigation, including navigator IFF and TACAN panels
Airbrakes, bomb doors and brake-chute can be operated using standard control assignments for ease of use
Terrain Following Radar – the flight directors will provide guidance to maintain a set altitude when flying at low level
Liveries
The Vulcan B Mk2 is supplied with 12 paint schemes covering its life in RAF service and subsequent private restoration:
XM607 (44 Squadron, RAF Waddington, Red Flag 77-9)
XM655 (35 Squadron, RAF Scampton)
XM655 (XM655 Maintenance and Preservation Society)
The Vulcan K.2 is supplied with four paint schemes:
XH558 (50 Squadron, RAF Waddington)
XJ825 (50 Squadron, RAF Waddington)
XL445 (50 Squadron, RAF Waddington)
XM571 (50 Squadron, RAF Waddington)
The Vulcan MRR is supplied with two paint schemes:
XH534 (27 Squadron, RAF Scampton)
XH560 (27 Squadron, RAF Scampton)
A PSD Paint Kit (1.1GB) is also available to download.
Lighting
Over 25 fully functioning lighting controls in the cockpit to control the internal and external lighting
Independent lighting controls for 1st Pilot and Co-pilot
Dimmable dynamic flood lighting for a highly immersive and customisable night environment
Freely moveable spot lights
Sounds
MSFS-native (Wwise) sound package taking full advantage of the new MSFS capabilities
Studio quality Olympus 301 AND Olympus 201 'howl' engine sounds, recorded from the real aircraft
Hundreds of flight deck sound effects recorded from the rear aircraft
Detailed physics-based effects on engine and wind noise
Accurately positioned 3D sound sources (best enjoyed in VR!)
Custom crash and scraping effects
FDE and effects
Realistic and accurate flight dynamics based on real-world performance and handling data
Three separate flight models included to simulate the change in performance of each engine type (Olympus 200 Series, Olympus 202 and Olympus 301)
Custom effects for enhanced immersion, including engine, Houchin GPU and Palouste compressor exhaust haze
Accurately simulated exterior lighting, including independent taxi/landing lights, and refuelling lights
Other features
Comprehensive PDF manual with flight tutorial, systems guide, procedures, limitations and handling notes
Multiple interior and exterior camera presets, including bomb bay camera
PSD paint kit included so you can create your own paint schemes
Full support for MSFS checklists (manual and Automatic/Co-pilot modes)
Support for numerous control assignments for compatibility with controllers and hardware
Development Updates
08 November 2023
With a release date now on the horizon, here is a new update showing off what we have been working on in the Vulcan over the last week or so.
Firstly, just to let you know, we have chosen to hold back the sound preview video for a little while longer whilst we put the finishing touches to the sound set. Given how iconic the sound set is in the Vulcan, we're keen to ensure it's spot-on and ready before anyone outside of Just Flight hears it for the first time. The delay in the sound video has no affect on other areas of the Vulcan development, and we are still progressing with other improvements and bug fixes which we cover below.
In the past week we have been working on improvements to the interior and exterior lighting, as well as making several quality of life improvements to the Aircraft app on the EFB. Starting with the interior lighting, we recently discovered some new reference material that allowed us to more accurately simulate the location of each of the cockpit lights as well as to correctly assign the controls to them. There are approximately 20 lighting controls in the forward cockpit just to control the lights in the cockpit, ranging from white main instrument panel lighting, to red side console lighting, and even some UV lighting (we hope you approve of our small use of artistic license on the latter!).
The exterior lighting can be controlled by the means of 8 switches on the right console. These control the various external lights which ranges from air-to-air refuelling probe lighting, a downward identification lamp, and even rotating beacons! Pictures don’t do these rotating beacons justice, so we will be sure to share some videos of these in action as we head to release. One interesting quirk of the Vulcan’s external lighting is the “blowback” feature of the landing lights. If the landing lights are extended and the airspeed exceeds 180 knots, the landing lights will be automatically retracted so to prevent any damage. In order to extend the lights again, the airspeed needs to be below 180 knots, and the switches cycled between LANDING/OFF/LANDING.
Moving onto the EFB, the Aircraft app has seen some significant changes to improve its ease of use, as well as adding new features. As you may have seen in our previous in-development updates, the weapons, payloads, and other aircraft equipment can all be controlled on the Aircraft app, however, we have now split these options up and placed them in various menus along the top left of the page. The Settings menu allows you to control various simulation settings related to the aircraft such as syncing your altimeter, and state saving. The Configuration menu allows you to toggle on/off various equipment to the aircraft, such as changing the engine nozzles, or adding the HDU (Hose Drum Unit) from the K2 tanker variant. The Fuel menu allows you to set the aircraft’s fuel level without using the default MSFS fuel system, and also includes some options to simulate Air to Air refuelling operations. Although no tanker or receiver aircraft will be visible in the simulator, the transferring of fuel is simulated, allowing you to fly long flights with the Vulcan. Finally, the Radio menu is a very recent addition that we have added purely as a quality of life improvement. The Vulcan has a lot of radio panels located all around the forward and rear cockpits, which can be a bit of a handful in high workload situations, therefore, this radio menu allows you to view and edit the frequencies of any of the radio on the fly.
The eagle-eyed amongst you will also notice the camera controls at the bottom of the Aircraft page. These are one of a few methods that we have added to allow you to move between the forward cockpit, and the rear cockpit panels. The EFB can also be moved between two positions, one on the base of the ejector seat, and another on the side window as shown in these screenshots.
That’s it for this In-development update, and indeed for the text-based in-development updates for the Vulcan. Our next updates will primarily be in video form. Do look out for those!
04 October 2023
So, we couldn’t resist sharing one more in-development update for our Vulcan before we move on to sound previews in the coming weeks.
In this in-development update, we want to share with you some screenshots of the fantastic work our cockpit artist has completed on the Vulcan interior. Thanks to some excellent reference material, the whole cockpit features photo-realistic textures on all panels, providing a very authentic feel of the cockpit, with accurate wear and tear located in the same locations as in the real aircraft. It really makes you feel like you are in the cockpit of a real, battle-worn Vulcan bomber!
The cockpit artwork is all but complete now, with only minor bugs to address. Some of these bugs include tweaking some switch animations so that they can be properly integrated with our extensive collection of Vulcan switch sounds. With the number of switches in the cockpit, that is no small task, but a necessary one to achieve the high standards that are expected of our aircraft.
Regarding the exterior, we have also fixed some minor bugs with the textures and liveries, and we have also fixed some inaccuracies with the weapons that were brought to our attention by some eagle-eyed members of the community in our previous in-development update.
In terms of system coding, all the aircraft systems are now functional in the simulator, and we are now in a position where we are completing full flights with the Vulcan. Our focus now turns to bug fixing, as well as identifying any areas where we could add some improvements or deeper levels of simulation. There is a lot of love for the Vulcan here at Just Flight, so we don’t want to leave any stone unturned in the development of this one!
One area in particular that we have added to the MSFS version is the addition of 3D-modeled AAAP, SSP, ACP, TACAN, and IFF panels from the aft cockpit. In our previous Vulcan products, these panels were simulated using 2D panels which MSFS does not support. We are still nailing down the details for how the player can access these panels and listening to the feedback from our testing team, but we are aiming to provide multiple options to access these panels, including keyboard control assignments, hidden click spots, and access through the MSFS camera menu to suit everyone’s preferences.
On top of the vast array of switches, the cockpit also has plenty of other animations to keep you immersed in the simulation. Some examples include animated armrests, removable ejector seat pins, animated sun visors and black-out blinds, and a fully animated centre fuel console between the pilot’s seats, which can be moved forward to allow the pilots to get into and out of their seats.
We do hope this update and these associated screenshots have helped to whet your appetite for what’s to come! We’re getting closer to the hotly anticipated sound previews that we are sure won’t disappoint!
22 August 2023
Welcome to the next Development Update for our Avro Vulcan for MSFS.
As promised this update will be covering the various weapons and configuration options you can expect to find in our Avro Vulcan B Mk.2, K.2 & MRR (MSFS). Firstly, let’s start with the loadouts that will feature in the product. The Vulcan can be fitted with the following weapons:
- AGM-45 Shrike Anti-Radiation Missiles
- Blue Steel Nuclear Stand-Off Missile
- Mk13 Unguided Bombs
- WE-117 Nuclear Bombs
There are also several other non-weapon related loadouts that can be fitted including Cylinder Tanks, MRR-Pods and Saddle Tanks.
All these loadouts can be loaded via the Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) located on the pilot’s seat. The EFB features the same Navigraph and SimBrief functionality that you can find in our other MSFS aircraft, and don’t worry, if you want to remove the EFB from sight for a true cold war bomber experience, we will be providing an option for you to hide it from view!
As well as the loadouts mentioned above, we have also included plenty of other airframe and equipment options that can be toggled on/off using the EFB such as antennas, ground equipment, and tanker equipment, and we have ability to be able to open and close the bomb bay and crew doors and even extend the refuelling hose on the K2 variants. Some of the images below show off some of the equipment options in action.
The EFB options are always an area of that constantly evolves, and we will likely add further additions to the EFB in the run-up to release, as well as post release based on community feedback. If there are any options you would like to see added the EFB please do let us know, and we will try our best to accommodate them.
We have also ensured that every livery that is included with the product is fitted with the correct equipment by default. For example, the K2 tanker liveries will be automatically fitted with the Hose-Drum Unit (HDU) and each individual livery will be fitted with the correct airframe equipment based on reference photographs. However, as most of the Vulcans will have had multiple equipment upgrades and modifications during their lifetime, we must choose just one configuration for each livery, we have ensured that there is at least one reference image of the configuration used for each of the liveries for maximum accuracy.
We hope this in-development update has piqued your interest in the Vulcan. We would highly recommend that you stay tuned to our in-development page and social channels for the next in-development update where we aim to be showing off the Vulcan’s famous sound set. Trust us, you do not want to miss that one!
For now, enjoy these latest screenshots!
26 July 2023
Welcome to the next Development Update for Our Avro Vulcan for MSFS. It's fair to say much of our time has been taken up with the F28 Professional MSFS of late, but now with that in the post-release phase, certain dev members are back deployed on other projects. One of those projects being the mighty Vulcan.
Since our latest update, our modelling and texturing artists have been hard at work fixing any bugs as well as adding some new features and customisation options that weren’t present in our previous simulations of the Vulcan. We do still have a couple of new additions to add here, so we’ll save all of these for a future in-development update.
Our livery artist has now supplied all 18 liveries that will be included in the Vulcan package. These highly detailed 8K liveries cover the Vulcan’s many operational squadrons from early in its service life, right the way through to its final retirement from the RAF Vulcan Display Flight in 1992. A significant amount of research has been undertaken to ensure all liveries are as accurate as possible with period correct roundels, squadron logos, and equipment configurations. We have also included a few short lived liveries, including XM607 with its dark grey belly from the Black Buck missions, and a representation of the “Kiwi” zapped onto the RAF roundel of XH562, which was applied when the aircraft visited New Zealand in 1972. We hope you enjoy the attached screenshots showing a selection of the liveries in the simulator.
Work on the systems coding has been temporarily halted in the run up to the F28 Professional release, but will resume shortly. The aircraft is already in an advanced state with the majority of systems already functional, so the remainder of the time allotted for systems coding will be spent fine0tuning the code and adding new features. To that end we are very confident this will be the most complete simulation of a Vulcan bomber that has ever been developed for a flight simulator!
the required work on integrating the Vulcan’s iconic sound set into the simulator is also due to begin in the coming weeks which promises to raise the bar for sound quality in MSFS. We cannot wait to show you how incredible the Vulcan is going to sound in the simulator!
Work has continued on the flight model, with special emphasis taken to replicate the Vulcan’s unique flight characteristics, including the ability to hold the nose wheel off the ground during the landing roll to provide aerodynamic braking.
That’s about it for this in-development update, we hope you like these latest shots. Please stay tuned to our in-development page and social media pages for more updates as development continues to ramp up on the mighty Vulcan.
19 April 2023
A development update of a different kind for you today folks. "How do you get the realistic sounds in your add-ons?" is a familair question we get asked, so here's a video showing you just that. The video covers our development team's visit to XM655 at Wellsborourne Airfield to record the Rolls Royce Olympus Mk 301 engines in action and to also record the vast array of switches and controls in the cockpit of the Vulcan.
We hope this video gives a little insight into some of the the work that's involved when developing such complex beasts. Obviously this is just the start of the process, there's much more to come but this is that first essential step.
Thanks for viewing (and listening).
14 March 2023
Welcome to the start of the In Development journey with our Avro Vulcan. We will try and bring you regular updates with words, pictures and videos as we get closer to the release date.
Just to kick things off here's a general selection of latest screenshots showing various configurations, equipment and liveries.
The product specifications are up to date on this page now, check out the 'Detailed Description' section for the in-depth details. Hope that should be enough to whet the appetite for now. We look forward to bringing you more on the project as we head closer to release and remember to sign up to receive an email upon release by clicking on the 'Email me when available' tab on this page.
