Avro Vulcan

[Akula.]

When the Falklands were invaded, the RAF sent Vulcans down to the islands to provide ground support. Once, I think the refueling probe on one of the Vulcans snapped off during flight, and they couldnt get the fuel onboard. does anyone know what happened to this plane?
Akula_dude

[Hagar]

When the Falklands were invaded, the RAF sent Vulcans down to the islands to provide ground support. Once, I think the refueling probe on one of the Vulcans snapped off during flight, and they couldnt get the fuel onboard. does anyone know what happened to this plane?
Akula_dude

I don't recall this incident but that's not to say it didn't happen. As I remember the Vulcan that bombed the Port Stanley runway operated from the Ascension Islands. It was a logistically expensive long-range mission & I saw it more as a token raid to prove it could be done. I'm not sure how many aircraft were used & the 2 mentioned here might have been the only ones.

On 30th April 1982 XM607 dropped 21 x 1000lb iron bombs during the first raid on Stanley Airport during the Falklands Conflict. Six in-flight refuellings were needed for the 15 hour 7860 mile return journey from Ascension Island. XM607 flew 2 more 'Black Buck' missions on 3rd May and 12th June 1982. The flight time from Ascension Island to Port Stanley by Vulcan was over eight hours, 3886 miles each way, and it was the longest range bombing attack in history. The operation, code named 'Black Buck', involved the use of 11 supporting Victor tankers aircraft from 55 and 57 Squadrons, and 2 Vulcan bombers, or which XM607 was originally designated the spare aircraft.

PS. Surprisingly the Vulcan was retired from active service soon afterwards.

[ozzy72]

The infamous Black Buck missions.
All the Vulcans had problems with leaking probes (mainly leaking onto the screen in front of the pilot )
The broken probe occured to XM597 on Black Buck Six, and she had to divert to Rio de Janeiro after dumping all Top Secret documents in the Atlantic and declaring a Mayday. The pilot Sqn Ldr McDougall got the plane down with some 2000lbs of fuel on-board, less than would be needed to fly a single circuit of the airfield

Ozzy

[ozzy72]

Doug there were 4 Vulcans constantly used during the Black Buck missions, and one backup (from 9 Sqn which had just dispanded if I remember correctly, but I'd need to look it up to be sure).

Mark

[HawkerTempest5]

The broken probe occured to XM597 on Black Buck Six, and she had to divert to Rio de Janeiro after dumping all Top Secret documents in the Atlantic and declaring a Mayday. The pilot Sqn Ldr McDougall got the plane down with some 2000lbs of fuel on-board, less than would be needed to fly a single circuit of the airfield

Ozzy

I have a photo signed by all the crew of XM597

[ozzy72]

Show off Roger

[C]

Lastest news is that the lottery funding has been granted, finally (not just "allocated" as it was before)

[ozzy72]

About time!!!
How are you Charlie, haven't seen you for a bit?

Mark

[Akula.]

XM597? Oh, I've seen that one! Totally cool! I saw it in Scotland, but i never thought that it was the one that broke it's refueling probe! By the way, how did the plane make it back if it couldnt get the fuel?
Akula_dude

[ozzy72]

divert to Rio de Janeiro

[Felix/FFDS]

Vulcan Readings:

AIR Illustrated (Key Publishing) just came out with an article comparing the B-1 and the Vulcan.


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[oggs1978]

Hello,
Was browsing the internet for downloadable footage of the Vulcan and came across your little discussion. You mentioned a certain aircraft which diverted to Rio de Janeiro during one of the Bluck Buck missions (#6 I think?).

Anyway, don't know if you're aware but the following link is where the aircraft is these days.

http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/mus/uk/east ... ortune.htm

I'm sure there's a pic somewhere on this site.

I also wanted to add that the crew were instructed to ditch the aircraft in an emergency, but decided against it. They threw out all important documentation and fired their remaining load of shrike missiles (after destroying a mobile radar station I believe). However one jammed or malfunctioned.

Anyway, you can read up on the whole story by reading about the Vulcan on the Thunder and Lightnings website. This isn't my site or a plug for a friend, but it is definately THE most informative history I personally have read about the Vulcan and British post war to Cold War jets., certainly on the internet.

Paul (new member), 25, Leeds.

[microlight]

Great plane, great plane.  Here's a virtual XH558 flying over the Scilly Isles on a rare trip out in FS2002 ...

[microlight]

Ooops, try that one again..

[C]

About time!!!
How are you Charlie, haven't seen you for a bit?

Mark

I'm very well thank you - survived the latest round of Mr Brown and Mr Hoon's defence cuts. On 2 weeks leave - how lovely! It's nice to catch up on all i've been missing for the last few months...

Charlie