It took that many victors because they had to refuel each other to get them far enough out between Azzi and the FI. The Vulcan didn't actually need that many refuels.
That's something that you wouldn't think about until you were ready to ditch in the South Atlantic BP. Of course, if the main bomber is going to have to refuel several times on its way there and back, then so do the tankers - which need MORE tankers to refuel the tankers AND the Vulcan on the way back too.
Not probably the easiest - or the cheapest - thing to ditch in the Atlantic I'd venture to suggest
It was also that the Victors could only take on their full load of fuel after they were actually airborne, as I mentioned in Post 7. That is assuming that the retired RAF pilot who told me this had his facts right. He went on to say that there wasn't a problem with carrying the maximum payload in level flight but there was on take off because of the strain it put on the airframe.
I recall it took 18 tankers to get the two Vulcans down south and back again with the primary vulcan going sick on route so number two did the deed on Stanley! (Metaphorically speaking of course
'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA
Of the 21 X 1000lbs bombs dropped at a tangent to the runway only 1 actually hit the runway but the bombing must have had a massive psychological effect on the Argentines.
Yes indeed...............clever Argie engineers, used the bull dozers to pile up loads of craters on the runway for our aerial photos to show great bombing success by the RAF, but in fact the runway became fully operational EVERY night............deceipt learnt from us no doubt
This link helps to explain the Operation:
Last edited by Gil Boyd; 10-01-2016 at 12:40 PM.
'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA