Three Vulcans were deployed to Wideawake airfield on Ascension Island, of which two flew Black Buck raids to bomb Argentine-held Port Stanley airfield, on the Falkland Islands. Eleven Victor tankers, including a standby aircraft were required to refuel the Vulcans before and after their attacks on the Falklands. The attacking Vulcan was refuelled five times on the outward journey and once on the return journey. These raids, although representing only a small part of the effort directed against the Argentines' on the Falklands, also graphically demonstrated RAF Strike Command's ability to strike the Argentine homeland if it had been necessary. These raids also forced the Argentine Air Force to withdraw their Mirage II fighters to stand defense over the mainland instead of engaging the Royal Navy and RAF Sea Harriers over the Falklands.
The Vulcans were captained by Squadron Leader Neil McDougall, Squadron Leader John Reeve and Flight Lieutenant Martin Withers.
The Attacking Vulcan carried 21 1,000lb bombs, and the attacking aircraft were backed up by another Vulcan on standby in case of problem.
The Black Buck raids were heralded as the most ambitious British bombing raid since the Dambusters and at the time, these six raids were the longest combat flights in history:
Approaching The Falklands Coast:
Bomb doors open & ready:
Lining up for the run onto the target [Port Stanley Airfield] :
Bombs Gone!:
BOOM and breakaway!:
Job Done & Returning Home - The final rendezvous with a Victor for much needed fuel:
Hope you liked the shots!
I was going for atmosphere rather than composition, and It was the first time I've used Walk & Follow for screenshots, so I wasn't quite sure what I was doing...
