The Falkland Islands is a remote British territory, about 8,000 miles from the UK mainland and just over 400 miles from the coast of Argentina. The ownership of the islands had long been disputed, but it reached a boiling point in March 1982, when a group of individuals raised the Argentine flag on South Georgia. Foreseeing a large-scale response from British forces, the Argentine government quickly ordered Operation Rosario, and, on 2 April 1982, undertook an amphibious invasion of the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. Retaking the islands posed a logistical nightmare for the British task force. Fortunately, halfway between Britain and the Falklands there was a small forward operating airfield on Ascension Island. At the time, many of the British aircraft did not have air-to-air refuelling capabilities and lacked the range to reach the South Atlantic. Nonetheless, a full-scale British invasion was planned, and, within just 74 days, the Argentine forces surrendered. This book features an informative history of the significant British aircraft types in service with the Royal Navy, RAF and Army Air Corps during the conflict. It covers some of the most iconic British aircraft ever built, including an eclectic mix of helicopters, the Avro Vulcan, Handley Page Victor and British Aerospace Sea Harrier. With over 150 high-quality images, this book showcases surviving aircraft and looks at where they are now, 40 years after the conflict.
About the AuthorLee Chapman is a Staffordshire-based photographer who covers many aspects of photography but has a real passion for historic aviation. He has worked at several major UK air shows as a media photographer and reviewer for Airscene.com. His images have achieved numerous accolades and awards and his Lancaster Bomber image can be seen adorning the official Battle of Britain Memorial Flight merchandise. With over 15 years of experience as a lecturer in adult education, Lee also offers several photography workshops through his company, Chappers Photography, where he runs a range of photography courses including delivering the RAF Museum's aviation photography training events.
Book InformationISBN 9781802822427
Author Lee ChapmanFormat Paperback
Page Count 96
Imprint Key Publishing LtdPublisher Key Publishing Ltd