My father was a full time Air Guard maintenance troop and his Wing regularly went to RAF Waddington to work with No IX Squadron. From the first time I saw a Vulcan bomber it became one of my favorite airplanes. I grew up very much interested in the military and can still remember watching combat footage of the Falklands Crisis as the UK military retook the archipelago from the Argentines. One crucial operation was an audacious long range bombing mission to render Port Stanley’s runway inoperable.
The story of Operation Black Buck is fascinating and this video is well worth the time if you are interested in airpower, the Falklands conflict or Vulcan bombers.
Tags: Vulcan
Routine and sustained practiced aerial refueling is the capability that really sets the USAF apart from every other Air Force in the world.
Whatever Brandon, the story, and just the story, is about the Brits.
Thanks for the post. The Falklands conflict is a story that hasn’t been told enough. Maybe because I’m an American in the United States that I haven’t heard about it, but considering that tensions still remain from those islands, I’d still like to hear more about it than what I read from Wikipedia.
According to Commander Nigel “Sharkey” Ward, the Royal Navy squadron Commander of the Sea Harrier 801 Squadron on HMS Invincible that fought in the Falklands war, this mission was a waste of fuel and time.
The ‘Brits’ carried out this mission at least once more during the conflict, with the same or less accuracy as the first (bugger all).
More effect could’ve been achieved with attacks from the Sea Harrier Squadrons using rocket pods and bombs.
I’m of the same mind, one out of 21 bombs scratching the runway (easily reparable) on the first mission wasn’t worth the effort, besides the deterrent effect.
the footage of the busted Pucará/s in this documentary were actually destroyed by the British SAS with demo packs, grenades and by hand (one SAS soldier smashed and tore up the cockpit by hand, because the raid ran out of explosive)
Hi Simon
Be careful about taking too much notice of one side of the argument.
I have written a handful of detailed posts on the Falkland Islands Conflict of 1982, especially around Harrier operations, Black Buck and the Atlantic Conveyor.
Hope the guys don’t mind be dropping the links in here
A look at the Atlantic Conveyor
http://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2012/04/the-atlantic-conveyor-falklands30/
The San Carlos Temporary Operating Strip
http://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2012/04/harrier-forward-operating-base-falkland-islands/
and finally, the runway at Stanley Airport, before, during and after the conflict. This one includes a look at the claims and counter claims about Black Buck in 3 parts
http://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2013/02/that-famous-runway-at-port-stanley-part-1-pre-conflict/
http://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2013/02/that-famous-runway-at-stanley-part-2-conflict/
http://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2013/02/that-famous-runway-at-stanley-part-3-post-conflict/
Hope you enjoy reading them
Thanks, I did quite enjoy read.
great find, thanks a bunch for the video
I allways thought sending the Vulcans was more about communications than actual destruction. Certainly there were better methods of shutting down the airstrip but you dont want to destroy an asset you will be needing to use shortly anyway.
Sending the Vulcans demonstrated a capability.
Rio De La Plata is a much shorter trip.
The Vulcan is one of the most beautiful birds ever designed. I’d love to see one fly.