[RELEASED] Operation Black Buck, 1982 -- for testing (updated) -- final

[blh42]

Long time no see folks. This is a new scenario based on the real operation Black Buck, which was conducted at
the early days of the Falklands war. It's been considered to be the longest bombing raid ever conducted, over 12000 km.

This is more of a logistical scenario than a shoot, shoot, bang, bang scenario. You have the same resources as was used in the real bombing raid and the goal is to hit the runway without any losses.

Good luck and tell me what you think!

blh

----------------------
Orders:
To strike a first blow against the Argentinian held RAF Mount Pleasant at the Falklands Islands.

Striking a blow this early in the conflict will lower the Argentinians morale and hopefully disable the airbase that otherwise may be used to counter attack our task force.

The task force is on their way and are to arrive for combat in less than one week. Therefore it is vital to conduct this mission before they arrive in the combat zone.

Units:
Vulcan bombers from 44 squadron, 50 squadron and 101 squadron. Only one will actually be used for the missions while the others are tagging along as reserves.

Eleven Victor tankers from 57 squadron will be used for the 6300 km from the Ascension Island to the combat area. Be sure to plan refueling in detail.

EMCON:
For the ferry to Ascension Island: B - Limited emissions
For the final leg from Ascension Island to the Falklands: A - No emissions

The goal is to damage or destroy the long runway at Mount Pleasant and to not loose aircraft while doing so. The goal will not be achieved if we sustain any losses.

[Patmanaut]

Hi blh42

Sounds like an interesting scenario.
For your information, RAF Mount Pleasant didn't become operational until May 1985, 3 years after the conflict.
Actually Black Buck raids operated against Port Stanley airport, some 30 nm NE off Mt Pleasant, and barely 3nm from Stanley, which makes a more interesting challenge to the Vulcan as it must avoid damage to civilian areas.

kind regards

P.

[blh42]

Thanks for pointing this out. A major miss and ill correct that

I was too focused on finding references to a RAF airbase which I thought was there than reading the actual history

blh

ORIGINAL: Patmanaut

Hi blh42

Sounds like an interesting scenario.
For your information, RAF Mount Pleasant didn't become operational until May 1985, 3 years after the conflict.
Actually Black Buck raids operated against Port Stanley airport, some 30 nm NE off Mt Pleasant, and barely 3nm from Stanley, which makes a more interesting challenge to the Vulcan as it must avoid damage to civilian areas.

kind regards

P.

[NickD]

The statement in the briefing that "The task force is on their way and are to arrive for combat in less than one week. Therefore it is vital to conduct this mission before they arrive in the combat zone." is incorrect. The Task Force commenced operations against Argentinian positions in the Falklands a few hours after the Black Buck raid (a Sea Harrier performed a bomb damage assessment over Port Stanley Airport, and other Sea Harriers attacked the airport and Goose Green that day). The timing of Operation Black Buck was coordinated with these attacks.

Also, what's the purpose of forcing players to ferry aircraft from the UK to Ascension Island? This isn't much fun, and doesn't really serve much of a purpose (also, some of the tankers were already at Ascension supporting Nimrod sorties). It would be better to start the scenario with the launch of the Vulcan and tankers from Ascension.

As further comments, I think that you've greatly over-done the Argentine radar network: I think that there was only ever a single (but very effective) long range air defence radar on the islands, at Port Stanley. The Roland SAM battery is also missing.

[Maromak]

Looking forward to trying this one. There is a similar scenario in HCE which was (at least for me) next to impossible due to the difficulty using tanker refuelling in HCE.

[RoccoNZ]

There is a fantastic multi-part post on Think Defence that details the raids, the state of the runway and the Argentine defences.

[Patmanaut]

To complement what Nick has said, at that time, there were two radars deployed at the islands, an Argentine Air Force Westinghouse TPS-43 an Argentine Army Cardion Alert MkII A/O.
Both radars operated in turns, to allow each other time to relocate, mostly around Stanley area.
For more accurate info on the location of the TPS-43 radar (the one with the longest range.) please visit this site:

http://www.radarmalvinas.com.ar/descargas/09%20ubicacion%20radar%20traba.pdf


Saludos

[blh42]

Thanks guys for pointers and critique! Here is an updated version with correct airfield and air defense resembling the info ive been able to dig out.

blh

[blh42]

So as this is a logistical challenge, has anyone been able to complete the mission successfully? My record is loosing two tankers and still not hitting the runway.

blh

[blh42]

Final update thanks to @JanMasterson who found maps on AAA positions.