ELINT by our ( & possibly other peoples' ) sub's yes as far as I know - but how was even a U.S. carrier going to accommodate an E-3 ?!

I rather doubt the U.S. wanted assets other than satellites too near.

If R.N. TLAM's had been available, it might have been extremely tempting to chuck some towards the Arg' airbases, in conventional cluster mode, though that would mean a distinct escalation; as it was I understand we sent some people even more problematical for the enemy, though mainly in a recce' role - full story yet to be released to the likes of me.

Agree with Dave AWACS were never there, myths grow arms and legs and Marr should know better or do some proper research!

The Chileans had good reasons of their own for placing such a radar near the Arg' border ( though maybe asking for something nasty & pointy to come the other way ) - but that would have instantly meant 2 fronts, which the Arg's had probably seen enough history to be wary of - or maybe even had real ' 4th Reich ' advisors along to avoid that one !

I understood from very good sources the Chileans, who are a good lot - then again so are the Argentinians when not led / forced by idiots ! - Were well rewarded by the U.K. For their help, no delay or messing around - but as it's only been hinted at in anything I've seen published, I'd better shut up, sure you'll all agree with that.

Talking to an undercover Gen Eng fitter back in '86, he told me that Maplin electronics had foiled an Argentinian plot, to purchase 7000 miles of Twin and Earth electrical flex, via numerous single orders to their mail order catalogue.

Enough flex to enable one their electric subs to operate off the south coast of the UK.

That could have been disastrous for the departing task force.

Shurely you musht be mishtakin shir (bad Sean Connery accent) :)




SHJ

AIM-9Ls
 

"I'm not sure the US of A directly supplied AIM 9-Ls,"

IIRC, Andy McNab, according to one of his biogs, babysat an airfreight load of them back to the UK from US.

Could be wrong, but my 2p worth

9-L

Always wondered. Were they really that significant given that (as far as I can make out) any engagements were made by our lads achieving the golden shot from behind.

Thoughts /experience?

Manuel de Vol. The Asi tanker was indeed from the Maersk Line. As were several other Tankers, Ships Taken Up From Trade, she was chartered directly by the MoD. As I remember her, she had less "oily" decks than the BP River Class STUFTs and played less part in destroying a perfectly good pair of leather work shoes!

Long wired sub'
 

Well I suppose it's an idea, to trail a wire all the way from Argentina to the UK, - there are plenty of transatlantic cables, but they are very heavy ( even with light-bulb style twin core, how much do you reckon 8000 miles would weigh !!!) laid from specialised ships which might rather draw attention in several ways .

The Argentinians came up with some good ideas, and I don't reckon they would have contemplated this one !

Knowing Maplins they would have sent the wrong type anyway.....

I'm surprised, given the frequent cites of VULCAN 607, no-one's mentioned that it explicitly states that a UK delegation including the Government Chief Scientist (Professor Ronald Mason) and Defence Secretary (John Nott) went to the US to ask for satellite imagery and were refused. Page 173 of the Corgi softback edition.

Not to suggest in any way that an E3 was actually able to provide surveillance but just to make sure you are looking at the right map.

From Panama City to west of the FI, ie over Chile, is well within range of an E3. Without FR it would have to recover to a Chilean base but with FR it could even recover to Panama City.

African or European?











No, don't get up. I'll show myself out.......................

I know have the scene on the bridge in my head

:D

Will we ever know the truth?

I hope not.

Just in case there's a repeat performance.

Big brother is/maybe/could be watching and.................

Oh, say! can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming;

Harrier/F5 DACT
 

Just read your article whilst looking for something else. I too was an ATCO (Mil) at Eastern during the work up for the Falklands. I distinctly remember taking a flight of F5's out of Alconbury to work in the Wash ATA. when they came on frequency they asked where the Harriers were!
Midland radar operated the Wash ATA so someone from there may remember more details.

Bucketyr

Falklands - Harrier
 

The Aim9L's had just been on the first FRS1 trials; RN Test Pilot Taylor Scott ( and I suspect some other T'P's ) made great efforts to ensure the CAP Seajets were equipped with this weapon 'not at the time in the UK inventory' complete with 190 gallon drop tanks & 2 missiles a side - though this made handling tricky, and some reports ( from Test Pilots who were there ) reckoned the mod's never got there in time.

More to add shortly...

DZ

OK - but please no more apostrophe abuse!

'''' Hi Beagle ! ''''
 

I was just going to add, on a serious note, that the first Sea Harrier to fly ( XZ450, in the hands of John Farley, August 1978 ) was also set up & instrumented for the Sea Eagle anti-ship missile - a more intelligent & harder hitting thing than the Exocet.

Sadly ( to say the least ) this aircraft was the first victim to ground fire, on an early iron bomb raid into Goose Green.

Pilot Nick Taylor didn't have a chance to get out, but the story goes that when the Argentines found the missile control panel, they wrongly assumed the fleet were ready to go with the weapon.

Larger tanks and twin (4) missile fit didn't make it in time for the end of hostilities.

Have just seen post 176, I think it was, from bucketyr. Bonjour Guy? The Midland Radar overhead would have absorbed anything in its path let alone the Wash ATA, assuming they weren't continged for lunch or a unit photo.

"Thank you for calling Midland Radar. I'm afraid we can't take your call at the moment, but if you leave your callsign, positition, heading, level and type of service required, we'll get back to you as soon as possible."

Thank goodness we were at Eastern eh?

What head? SLR? that man held artillery piece would rip limbs off if the hit was in the bone... or just strip the flesh if not. Even a close miss would hurt!