BRITISH AIRCRAFT
Plate 1
A Short Belfast C.1 heavy lift transport used to carry large items from the UK to Ascension Island during the Falklands. Photographer MR Ibbotson, Cosford RAF Museum, 2025.
Plate 2
The giant turboprop engines on the left wing of a Belfast C.1. Photographed by MR Ibbotson, Cosford RAF Museum, 2025.
Plate 3
After the Falklands War, the RAF flew Phantom FGR2 fighters into Stanley airport to provide air defence. One crashed on the Falklands in 1983, along with a Harrier GR3. Photographed by MR Ibbotson, Hendon RAF Museum, 2025.
Plate 4
San Carlos Forward Operating Base (FOB). Photographed by Alistair Campbell, Royal Marines official photographer.
Plate 5
Westland Gazelle AH.1 attack helicopter, as used during the Falklands War. Photographed by Martin Davenport at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) in 2018.
Plate 6
A Sea Harrier FRS1 at FOB San Carlos, armed with two AIM-9L Sidewinders for air defence. Crown Copyright, Imperial War museum FKD 2300.
Plate 7
Three Harrier GR3 aircraft of RAF 1 Squadron parked alongside seven RN Sea Harriers and a Sea King helicopter on HMS Hermes (19 May 1982). The light grey paint schemes of the Sea Harriers reveal that these examples arrived on MV Atlantic Conveyor. The nearest GR3 carries two 1000 lb laser guided bombs on its wing pylons. The second GR3 carries a 582 lb (264 kg) BL755 cluster bomb on its starboard wing. The photograph was colorised by MR and AM Ibbotson using Photoshop. Wikimedia Commons: Air Historical Branch-RAF/MOD, Open Government Licence version 1.0.
Plate 8
A damaged Royal Air Force (RAF) Harrier GR3 (XZ289/07), which crash landed after ingesting debris at FOB San Carlos on 8 June 1982. The pilot was Wing Commander Peter Squire. Ground crews have written ‘SOD OFF ARGIES’ in the grass in an attempt to dissuade Argentine pilots from attacking the wreck. The name of the photographer is not publicly available. The image is attributed to the Ministry of Defence.
Plate 9
The mighty Pegasus engine that powered the Harrier GR3 and Sea Harrier FRS1 during the Falklands War. Photographed by MR Ibbotson, Fleet Air Arm Museum, RNAS Yeovilton, 2025.
Plate 10
The instrument panel in a Harrier GR3. To the left of the obvious yellow chevrons are the switches that allow gun pod activation. On 21 May 1982, Lieutenant Leeming had to rapidly flick the switches up to activate his guns when his missile system failed to activate during a dogfight. Photographed by MR Ibbotson, Farnborough Air Sciences Museum, 2025.
Plate 11
The famous Wessex HAS.3 helicopter named Humphrey from HMS Antrim. Photographed by MR Ibbotson, Fleet Air Arm Museum, RNAS Yeovilton, 2025.
Plate 13
Humphrey was damaged by shrapnel while in San Carlos Water. The damage is still visible and highlighted by red circles on the blue exterior. Photographed by MR Ibbotson, Fleet Air Arm Museum, RNAS Yeovilton, 2025.
Plate 15
Squadron Leader Martin Pitt (left) with the author in front of Vulcan XM598. He tested Shrike missiles using this aircraft in preparation for their use in the Falklands War. Photographed by Simon Newman at Cosford RAF Museum, 2025.
Plate 17
Post-war photograph of an RAF VC10 in the new camouflage scheme. The aircraft had by this time been converted into refuelling tankers to start replacing the Victor K2s. A magnificent looking aircraft. Alamy Stock Photo G6DYMR.
Plate 12
Humphrey has markings painted on her side indicating her extensive war activities. At the top is a submarine marking. She damaged the ARA Sante Fe with depth charges. Photographed by MR Ibbotson, Fleet Air Arm Museum, RNAS Yeovilton, 2025.
Plate 14
Photograph of A Victor K2 at Duxford, taken in 2015 on a very wet day. The mixture of the dihedral T-tail and anhedral main wings is shown to good effect. Photograph by MR Ibbotson.
Plate 16
A Scout helicopter from 3 Commando Brigade Air Squadron. It is fitted with side-brackets, pylons and SS.11 guided anti-tank missiles. Wikimedia Commons: Share Alike 4.0 International License.
Plate 18
One of the best photographs from the war depicts a Victor K2 (possibly flown by Squadron Leader Bob Tuxford) flying at low level with its fuel drogues deployed. Photograph was taken from Ascension Island by RAF photographer Sergeant Brian Lawrence.
Plate 19
Busy day at Wideawake Airfield on Ascension Island during the Falklands War. Two Harrier GR3s are in the foreground, armed with AIM-9s for base defence. Three Nimrods are lined up behind them. Thirteen Victor K2s are furthest from the photographer. Imperial War Museum collection (FKD 1170), credited to the Fleet Photographic Unit.
Plate 21
Wessex HU5 helicopter (848 Naval Air Squadron) landing very carefully on the small, rear landing pad of SS Atlantic Conveyor. The photograph was likely taken by Gordon Brooks.​
Plate 20
The Victor is a very photogenic aircraft. In this case, a Victor K2 is transferring fuel to another Victor K2 during a Black Buck mission. This magnificent photograph was taken during the Falklands War by Sgt Brian Lawrence, an RAF photographer.
Plate 22
Lynx HAS2 (XZ252) coded 341 and known as 'Purdy', flown by 815 NAS. It is equipped with the Hampton Mayfair electronics warfare system attached to its port side. This provided tuned jamming to disrupt Exocet missile guidance systems. Fleet Air Arm archives.​