Originally Posted by
Ken Scott
1312 Flt were based at MPA for many years after the air bridge was withdrawn with the C130 tankers providing AAR support to the resident fighters, F4s then F3s, as well as providing SAR cover in the area & air dropping supplies to places such as the South Georgia garrison. When the C130K tankers were withdrawn from service they were replaced by a Tristar (later a Voyager) & a 'flatbed' C130K, (later a C130J). The tanker was a versatile bit of kit, well suited to its tasks in the Falklands, as shown by what was needed to replace it.
The 2 Herc tankers were replaced by a VC10 (1996-2013) ; the flatbed was already there as part of the 3 ac 1312 flt. It simply remained as part of the mixed fleet.
On the air bridge options 8 , 9 and 10 there was only one refuelling for the freighter. The long slot tanker had to refuel from the short slot but the freighter did not.