Handley Page Victor captured during landing with brake chute deployed. Photographed by Stuart H. Bourne, this image highlights Cold War airframe recovery technique.
Copyright © Stuart H Bourne/ Quality Aviation Photos International
This striking image captures the Handley Page Victor in its final moments of landing, with the brake parachute fully deployed—a dramatic and rarely photographed phase of Cold War airframe recovery. The Victor, originally designed as a strategic bomber, was later converted to a K.2 aerial tanker, serving the Royal Air Force with distinction.
Photographed by Stuart H. Bourne, this moment showcases the aircraft’s crescent wing design and operational realism. The deployed chute emphasizes the Victor’s size, landing speed, and the precision required during runway recovery. Ideal for enthusiasts seeking dynamic framing, tanker-era authenticity, and archival accuracy.
Airframe metadata includes variant, serial, and photographer attribution. A must-have for collectors focused on Cold War aviation and RAF tanker operations.
