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Martin Withers | Squadron Leader Martin Withers, DFC Joined the RAF in 1968. In 1971, he was posted to 44 Sqn at RAF Waddington as a Vulcan co-pilot, remaining there on 50 Sqn as a captain until 1976. After 3 years as a Jet Provost QFI at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, he returned to RAF Scampton as a QFI on the Vulcan Operational Conversion Unit. When the OCU closed, he moved again to RAF Waddington as Pilot Leader and Squadron QFI on 101 Sqn. The following year, during the Falklands War, he and his crew were selected to fly 2 of the 5 Black Buck missions. Martin Withers was the captain on XM607, the first Vulcan to bomb in anger during the Falklands War. On 1 May 1982, just one month after the Argentine invasion, Withers and his crew completed Black Buck One, the longest distance bombing mission in history until that time, and one of the most significant, attacking Port Stanley airfield during an 8,000 mile, 16 hour flight from their base at Ascension Island. for which he was awarded the DFC, with the other crewmembers being Mentioned in Dispatches. With the final demise of the Vulcan squadrons, he returned to No1 FTS at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, where he served as squadron commander and Deputy Chief Instructor, until leaving the RAF in 1991, having flown over 5500 hours (2000 on Vulcans). Since then he has accumulated a further 9500 hours on a variety of airliners, and is now flying the Boeing 767. |
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Black Buck One by Keith Woodcock. The longest ever bombing mission, 30th April - 1st May 1982. Vulcan B2 XM607 of 44 sqn prepares to refuel from Victor K2 XH672 of 57 sqn on its return from bombing Port Stanley Airport on the Falkland |
Corporate Prelude by Philip West. The Falklands conflict led to the Vulcan being used for the first time in anger in 25 years of RAF service; 44, 50 and 101 Sqdn. aircraft were involved in Operation Corporate with five crews selected, two from 50 Sqdn., one each from 44 Sqdn. and 101 Sqdn., plus others from the disbanded 9 Sqdn. This beautiful painting portrays the mighty XM607 at altitude during the work up period prior to active operations. During the Falklands War XM607, piloted by Martin Withers, flew there and back from Ascension Island non-stop, covering a staggering 7,500 miles; the flight lasted 15 hours 45 minutes - at the time, the longest combat flight in history. The Vulcan was refuelled by Victor tankers five times on the outward journey and once on the return journey. |
Vulcan XH558, The Loved One by Michael Rondot. Few aircraft have evoked such strong emotions with the airshow-going public as Vulcan XH558. Climbing almost vertically, with black smoke pouring from its thundering Olympus engines at full power, the Vulcan could bring any airshow to a complete standstill. Crowds watched in awe as the majestic delta winged bomber created a deafening roar of smoke and noise, the sight and sound of its display an emotional and unforgettable experience for those who witnessed it. |
Falklands Bomber by Keith Aspinall. The Vulcan B2 takes off from Ascension Island to play a major role in Operation Corporate, the name given to the British military operation to retake the Falkland Islands. The Vulcan would take part in the seven planned bombing missions during the Falklands campaign codenamed Operation Black Buck. Each mission would require a solo Vulcan Bomber (plus an airborne reserve Vulcan in case of problems with the first) to fly and bomb the Argentinean airfield at Port Stanley, requiring the support of 12 Handley Page Victor K2 tankers of 55 and 57 squadron on the outward journey and 2 Victors and a Nimrod on the return journey. |
Return to Ascension by Simon Atack. On the 30th April 1982, flying from Wideawake airfield on Ascension island, Flt. Lt. Martin Withers and his crew, flying RAF Vulcan (XM607) launched the first Black Buck bombing operation of the Falklands War. There and back the non-stop flight covered 7,500 miles, lasting 15 hours 45 minutes - at the time, the longest combat flight in history. The Vulcan was refuelled by Victor tankers five times on the outward journey and once on the return journey. |
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