Operation Black Buck 1982

'The definitive account of the Vulcan raids... taught me something new on every page' - Rowland White, author of the bestselling Vulcan 607 A newly researched, fully illustrated account of how RAF Vulcan bombers flew a series of the world's longest air raids in 1982 against Port Stanley airfield, in a daring, hastily improvised strike against the Argentinian invaders. The RAF's opening shots of the Falklands War were among the most remarkable airstrikes in history. The idea was simple: to destroy the runway at Port Stanley, and prevent Argentinian fast jets using it against the Royal Navy task force. But the nearest British-owned airfield was Ascension Island - 3,900 miles away from the Falklands. Researcher and historian Andrew D. Bird has uncovered new detail of what really made these extraordinary raids possible, including never-before-published information and photos demonstrating the discreet support provided by the United States. Packed with spectacular original artwork and rare photos, this book explains how these hugely complex, yet completely improvised raids were launched. This is also the story of how the last of the Vulcans, only a few months away from the scrapyard, had to be hastily re-equipped to carry conventional bombs, with bombsights, electronics and navigation systems 'borrowed' from other aircraft. Yet they managed to fly what were the longest-range air attacks in history, and struck a severe blow to the occupying Argentinians.

Andrew D. Bird is a historian and a writer. The author of several histories on RAF maritime operations including most recently Heroes of Coastal Command, he has also presented and researched for television programmes on BBC, ITV, Channel 4, NRK1, Forces News and Sky History Channel. Andrew served in the RAF Reserves whilst working as an accomplished graphic designer, and as an exhibition designer at RAF Museum London. For more information on Andrew see andrewdbird.com or on Twitter @andydbird

INTRODUCTION - The airfield at Port Stanley - First conflicts - The road to war - Argentina makes a move CHRONOLOGY ATTACKERS' CAPABILITIES - Ascension - Diplomacy - The Vulcans - Selecting and refitting the aircraft - Aircrews and training - Target - The Victors and Nimrods - Ordnance DEFENDERS' CAPABILITIES - Air defence - The move to the Malvinas CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES - Sea Harriers or Vulcans? - Analysis of the airfield - The beginning of the air war THE CAMPAIGN - Final countdown: Black Buck 1 - Fuel misallocation - Approach to Stanley - At Port Stanley - The Sea Harrier follows up - The Belgrano sinking and its consequences - Black Buck 2 - The first anti-radar attempts - Enter the Shrike - Repairing and relocating the radars - Black Buck 5 - Black Buck 6 - An unscheduled stopover - Black Buck 7 - Planning for Black Bucks beyond the Falklands AFTERMATH AND ANALYSIS FURTHER READING