During the Falklands War, Vulcan bombers flew from Ascension Island to attack targets thousands of miles away. Completing these missions required an extraordinary air-to-air refuelling operation involving multiple Handley Page Victor tankers.
Victor pilot Bob Tuxford describes the “cascading” fuel plan that made the Black Buck missions possible. Tankers refuelled other tankers as well as the Vulcan, allowing aircraft to turn back at carefully calculated stages while enough fuel continued towards the target.
Bob’s account illustrates the detailed planning, teamwork and rapid decision-making required from every participating crew.
He was awarded the Air Force Cross for his contribution to Black Buck 1, while members of his crew received Queen’s Commendations.
