Avro Vulcan B2 Mk2 The Vulcan shown here first flew on 12 August 1963 and was retired on 17 December 1981. 136 Vulcans were produced between 1956 and 1965. The Vulcan had a top speed of Mach 0.96 and a service ceiling of 55,000 feet. It had a 2,607 mile range. Royal Air Force Museum, London, England