Vulcan 607

Vulcan 607 chronicles Britain's mission to bomb Port Stanley airfield during the 1982 Falklands War. The operation required a single RAF Vulcan bomber to fly 8,000 miles round-trip from Ascension Island to the Falklands - the longest bombing run in history. The book details the technical, logistical and human challenges faced by the RAF crews and support teams. Multiple Victor tanker aircraft had to execute a complex aerial refueling plan to get the Vulcan to its target and back. White reconstructs the mission through interviews, documents and firsthand accounts from pilots, ground crews and military planners. The narrative follows both the preparation phase on Ascension Island and the actual execution of the raid. The book highlights themes of ingenuity and determination in the face of near-impossible odds, while examining a pivotal moment in British military aviation. It provides perspective on the broader strategic impact of this single mission within the Falklands conflict.

Readers describe this as a detailed account of the RAF's long-range bombing mission during the Falklands War. Many note it reads like a thriller while maintaining historical accuracy. Liked: - Technical details of aircraft operations and logistics - Personal stories and perspectives from crew members - Clear explanations of complex military planning - Moment-by-moment pacing of the mission - Research depth and use of firsthand sources Disliked: - Early chapters contain excessive background detail - Too many character introductions - Some technical jargon can overwhelm non-aviation readers - Maps and diagrams could be clearer Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon UK: 4.7/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon US: 4.6/5 (400+ ratings) Sample review: "Takes you into the cockpit and behind the scenes. The level of detail on aerial refueling and navigation challenges makes you appreciate what these crews accomplished." - Amazon reviewer

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🚀 The RAF's famous "Black Buck" missions described in the book featured the longest-range bombing raid ever attempted at that time - covering nearly 8,000 miles round trip. ✈️ Author Rowland White interviewed over 100 participants and reviewed previously classified documents to piece together the complete story of this remarkable operation. 🛠️ The Vulcan bombers used in the Falklands mission were already scheduled for retirement, and ground crews had to scavenge parts from museum aircraft to keep them flying. ⚡ The complex mid-air refueling operation required 11 Victor tanker aircraft working in a relay system to get just one Vulcan bomber to its target. 🎯 Despite the massive effort involved, only one bomb from the first Black Buck mission actually hit the Port Stanley runway - but the psychological impact on Argentine forces was significant.