GA,
The airbridge involved two tankers and one refuelling out of ASI but no prod on the return flight.
Before there was an airstrip on the FI the herc used to fly non-stop from ASI; I don't know but I imagine in would have needed at least a second prod on the way home.
And of course you overlook the shortage of speed and the need to fit ECM for flight in the MEZ, but back to Archimedes point; who would have been afraid of that fat albert might overfly down town BA with a tactical nuke.
Don't lose sight of the message.