Armageddon.... by debbielove
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Description
At 4am, on the morning of May 1st 1982, a Vulcan B2 (just like this), arrived near The Falklands.. It neared Port Stanley airfield at below 300 feet and turned to attack..
It had taken off hours before from Ascension Island, Mid Atlantic, performed multiple refuelling's at night, suffered a missed fuelling, was running on near empty.. They had decided to carry on.. relying, hoping that their next refuelling aircraft would be there waiting...
As their H2S Radar (a 60's model), locked on to the airfield beacon the Vulcan pushed its engines to full War boost and climbed to 10,000 feet and crossed the field at a 35 degree angle..
It let loose 21 1,000ib bombs, then all hell erupted...
The defences (AA guns, missile batteries) never replied and the Vulcan got away.. The code 'Superfuse' was sent when it flew over the Fleet..
One bomb holed the runway, stopping Fast Jets using it.. Hercules and other light aircraft used it but nothing else, job done.. It is believed the the Government thought (wrongly) that Vulcan's would bomb Rio and held Fighters back.. This was a plus that came about by not planned..
This and other Black Buck raids were the longest Bombing raids in history.. (Only beaten by B-52 bombers during the Gulf War.. But, their tankers were forward based, Vulcan's had to take theirs with them, and take tankers for the tankers!).
This is the worlds only airworthy Vulcan, and as you can see Avro still did HUGE bomb bays! XH558 was the first B2 Vulcan delivered to the RAF and the last to leave! She was also the RAF Display Vulcan.. I saw her as a kid!
The engines in her went on to power Concorde!
ZOOM!!
Rob
P.S. Recommended Read : Vulcan 607 by Rowland White
Comments (14)
taliesin86001
Awesome aircraft! Looks like it should be a brand new bomber instead of a retired one!
neiwil
Doesn't really look like such a big bomb bay.......until you realise the scale of the plane. Stunning shot of an awesome aircraft....long may she continue to fly..
bebopdlx
My fav aircraft, thanks Rob. Super photo and info.
magnus073
Rob, you did an outstanding job on this dramatic presentation.
jayfar
What a brilliant image and narrative! Well done Rob, fantastic.
Faemike55
Great presentation and narrative
Buffalo1
Always thought the RAF "V" bombers were cool and ultra-modern when I was a kid. I had the modles, too! Great shot, Rob, as usual.
goodoleboy
Wow, a stirring capture of the famous Vulcan B2, in all of its quasi silhouetted glory, this one returning from a bomb-laden sortie over the Argentyne, mate. Love those moth-like wings.
RodS
WOOOW! What a stunning shot of this Vulcan, Rob! I've always loved the Vulcan - it just looks so sleek, like a flying stingray. Such a cool plane! You really nailed this one, mate!
blinkings
If I had to be bombed, I would love to be bombed by a Vulcan! What a way to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
62guy
B 52's may have flown a longer mission (and for more years - they are still flying), but the Vulcan is far better looking!
flavia49
fabulous
Richardphotos
excellent detailed capture and interesting history
e-brink
A excellent aircraft, one of my favourites and a nice shot. I have had the pleasure of seeing these fly at air shows in the 70's and 80's. I've also been in a static display one.