The threat of a nuclear war in the late 1940s and 50s prompted a leap in the capability of aircraft and defence systems. This, together with developments in jet propulsion and the technical lessons learned from the Second World War, led to the development of a trio of extraordinary and beautiful aircraft: the V-bombers. With swept, delta and crescent wings and names beginning with 'V' they captured the public imagination, and have remained objects of fascination ever since.