In the 1950s the UK’s nuclear deterrent was provided by V-bomber aircraft. Which of these was not a V-bomber?

The UK’s strategic deterrent was at one time provided by three types of V-bomber aircraft, high-altitude jets designed to carry nuclear weapons and operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF).

The Vickers Valiant (top left in the photo) was the first of the V bombers to become operational, and was the only V bomber to have dropped live nuclear weapons (for test purposes).

The Avro Vulcan (top right), the most technically advanced the three V bombers, was first delivered to the RAF in 1956 and became the backbone of the UK's nuclear deterrent during much of the Cold War. Although the Vulcan was typically armed with nuclear weapons, it could also carry out conventional bombing missions, which it did during the Falklands War of 1982.

The Handley Page Victor (bottom right) was the third and final V bomber to be operated by the RAF, entering service in 1958. It was retired from the nuclear mission in 1968, due to the pending introduction of the Royal Navy's submarine-launched Polaris missiles in 1969. Victors were then repurposed for other duties such as air-to-air refuelling.

The de Havilland Vampire (bottom left) was not a bomber, but was the second British jet fighter developed for the RAF, following the Gloster Meteor. The Vampire entered operational service in 1946 and quickly proved to be effective. It remained in front-line RAF service until 1953 when its transfer began to secondary roles such as ground attack and pilot training. The RAF retired the Vampire in 1966.