Andrew D. Bird | Andrew D. Bird — Writer, Broadcaster, and Historian of the Air War

Operation Black Buck 1982

Paperback – Release 17 August 2023

A newly researched, fully illustrated account of how RAF Vulcan bombers flew a series of the world's longest air raids in 1982 against Port Stanley airfield, in a daring, hastily improvised strike against the Argentinian invaders.

The RAF's opening shots of the Falklands War were among the most remarkable airstrikes in history. The idea was simple: to destroy the runway at Port Stanley, and prevent Argentinian fast jets using it against the Royal Navy task force. But the nearest British-owned airfield was Ascension Island - 3,900 miles away from the Falklands.

Researcher and historian Andrew D. Bird has uncovered new detail of what really made these extraordinary raids possible, including never-before-published information and photos demonstrating the discreet support provided by the United States. Packed with spectacular original artwork and rare photos, this book explains how these hugely complex, yet completely improvised raids were launched.

This is also the story of how the last of the Vulcans, only a few months away from the scrapyard, had to be hastily re-equipped to carry conventional bombs, with bombsights, electronics and navigation systems 'borrowed' from other aircraft. Yet they managed to fly what were the longest-range air attacks in history, and struck a severe blow to the occupying Argentinians.

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Andrew Bird is a writer, historian and researcher.

He has combined a career in graphic design and as a RAF reservist, he has published widely on the Second World War RAF in the campaigns involving Coastal Command in Europe.

He was the BBC’s historical adviser for the VE commemorations in 2005 and in 2010 and is one of the go to people on the de Havilland Mosquito.

He is currently finishing a new narrative account of the RAF’s Black Buck campaign in the Falklands War in 1982 (Operation Black Buck 1982 The Vulcans’ extraordinary Falklands War raids) due for publication by Osprey. Also in the pipeline is an account of the Berlin Airlift: as yet no fix date for publication by Pen & Sword has been given. Likewise Fliegeralarm Berlin an account of German women’s experiences of living under Allied bombing in Berlin between 1943 and 1945. The story of Highball Barnes Wallis’ bouncing bomb and the U-boat Hunters and a biography of New Zealander Hector Bolitho, RAF Coastal Commands’ media officer in the Second World War.

Andrew has extensive knowledge on the men and missions carried out against the Kriegsmarine surface fleet and U-boat arm by the Portreath and Banff Mosquito Strike Wings.

He is currently working voluntarily with Möltenort U-boat Memorial Foundation to give a voice to some of those submariners lost in the battles fought against Coastal Command and the Royal Navy.

He has spoken on and contributed to Aviation-xtended podcast on Coastal Command speaking on the Blenheim fighter, Beaufighter and Mosquito. The Podcast was runner up in the 2022 Aerospace Media Awards.

He is a supporter of RAF Wales and volunteers to research the biographies of Welsh airmen, and airwomen.

If you wish to engage Andrew to speak or to talk about his books please contact him on andydbird235@icloud.com

Operation Black Buck 1982

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