One for Mr Hedge...
http://www.vulcantothesky.org/news/334/82/Falklands-Memorial-Flight.htmlFalklands hero Black Buck 1 to pilot last flying Vulcan
for dedication of new memorial
One of the Vulcan’s first flights of the year will be to honour those who contributed
to the liberation of the Falkland Islands 30 years ago
On May 20th, the pilot who lead the famous Black Buck 1 raid on Port Stanley’s runway will be back at the controls of a Vulcan for the dedication of the new Falklands Memorial at the National Arboretum in Staffordshire. The flypast by the last airworthy representative of Britain’s V-Force will commemorate all those involved in the conflict, evoking the remarkable 8,000 mile mission by a solo Vulcan, supported by 11 Victor tankers, that began the liberation of the Islands almost exactly 30 years ago.
Two of the RAF’s most powerful Vulcans took-off from Ascension Island on April 30th 1982. The ageing aircraft, which were about to be retired from service, had been rushed through an upgrade programme at RAF Waddington that included new Electronic Counter-Measures and reinstatement of their air-to-air refuelling capability. The tanker force was sourced from RAF Marham, where air-to-air refuelling specialists developed an elaborate logistics plan that would allow the bombers to reach their target and return to base after their remarkable journey.
Soon after take-off, a faulty window seal forced Vulcan XM598 (commanded by Squadron Leader John Reeve) to return to Ascension, leaving the back-up aircraft, Vulcan XM607 piloted by Flight Lieutenant Martin Withers, to complete the mission. At 4 am on May 1st they approached the Islands at 300ft then climbed to attack height. At 10,000ft the bombs were released, creating a crater on the runway and disrupting its foundations . Withers turned his aircraft for home and four hours later, with fuel critically low, connected with the last Victor tanker to transfer the fuel needed to get them back to Ascension Island, completing a round trip of 15hrs 45mins. Withers won the Distinguished Flying Cross for his part in the action and the crew were Mentioned in Dispatches.
The last airworthy Vulcan, XH558 “The Spirit of Great Britain”, is operated by a charity that is currently raising funds to complete her winter service. The dedication of the Falklands Memorial will be the aircraft’s first public flight of 2012, beginning a spectacular Diamond Jubilee display season that also commemorates the 60th anniversary of the first flight of the Vulcan prototype.
“I would like to applaud the South Atlantic Medal Association 1982 (SAMA 82) for creating this memorial, which I am proud to help dedicate in honour of all those who contributed to the protection of Her Majesty’s subjects during the Falklands Conflict,” said Martin Withers, who is now Chief Pilot of Vulcan to the Sky Trust. “To fly this remarkable aircraft at the National Memorial Arboretum, knowing that so many people associated with the conflict will be watching and remembering, will be a deeply emotional experience.”
A limited number of the highly-regarded book, Vulcan 607, the epic story of the most remarkable British air attack since WWII, signed by Martin Withers DFC, can be purchased from the Vulcan to the Sky online store with all profits helping to fund the winter service:
www.vulcantotheskystore.co.uk/product/Signed_Vulcan_607_Book_SGN607
