XM607 - Falklands' Most Daring Raid

[Ronin_SVN]

On 30 April 1982, the RAF launched a secret mission: to fly a Vulcan bomber to the Falkland Islands and bomb Port Stanley's runway, putting it out of action for Argentine fighter jets. The safety of the British Task Force depended on its success.

However, the RAF could only get a single plane - a crumbling, Cold War-era Vulcan - 8000 miles south to the Falklands, because just one bomber needed an aerial fleet of 13 Victor tanker planes to refuel it throughout the 16-hour round-trip. At the time it was the longest-range bombing mission in history.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40knj0qg_Us

[seasch]

Thanks for sharing.

[Kiiski]

On 30 April 1982, the RAF launched a secret mission: to fly a Vulcan bomber to the Falkland Islands and bomb Port Stanley's runway, putting it out of action for Argentine fighter jets... The safety of the British Task Force depended on its success.

Pardon my cynicism, but (luckily for the Royal Navy) the safety of the task force did not depend on the success of these missions.

While the Black Buck missions were a military fiasco, they were a stunning publicity success for the RAF, who could again claim that they had a real role in the war. (I am aware of the stellar work of RAF Harriers supporting Fleet Air Arm)

I think this document is a good example of this. Although these people didn't really hit anything (unlike the exploding plane at 39:10 in the document suggests), RAF was, and still is, perfectly happy to celebrate this as a major victory.

[RomeoTangoFoxtrotIndigo]

[QUOTE=Ronin_SVN;6508077]On 30 April 1982, the RAF launched a secret mission: to fly a Vulcan bomber to the Falkland Islands and bomb Port Stanley's runway, putting it out of action for Argentine fighter jets. The safety of the British Task Force depended on its success.

However, the RAF could only get a single plane - a crumbling, Cold War-era Vulcan - 8000 miles south to the Falklands, because just one bomber needed an aerial fleet of 13 Victor tanker planes to refuel it throughout the 16-hour round-trip. At the time it was the longest-range bombing mission in history.


"Cold War-era"...erm, in 1982 the Cold War was alive and kicking...I lol'd

[Sideline]

Is this the samething? http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums...st-Daring-Raid

[wildheart]

[QUOTE=Sideline;6508398]Is this the samething? http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums...st-Daring-Raid[/QUOTE

Yep that's the same Mission. File under 'stiff upper lip'.