Former squadron leader Bob Tuxford gave a talk on his role in the Falklands conflict 40 years ago and his RAF and civil aviation career at Hawkwell Village Hall.

More than 100 members of the Vulcan Restoration Trust gathered to hear the former squadron leader discuss his role as captain of one of the Royal Air Force’s Victor air-to-air refuelling tanker aircraft during the conflict.

The talk on Saturday December 3 also detailed when he took part in Operation Black Buck, which saw RAF Vulcan bombers attack the Argentinian-occupied islands. Flown from Ascension Island in the mid-Atlantic, the return distance to the Falklands in the South Atlantic was over 8,000 miles.

The missions took 16 hours and were, at the time, the longest bombing raids in history.

Squadron Leader Tuxford was awarded the Air Force Cross for his part in the missions.

“There was a good turn out for the event with more than 100 people attending. I spoke about my career in the RAF, working as a test pilot for four years and my civil aviation career flying airliners for Monarch Airlines,” said Bob Tuxford.

He has written an autobiography, CONTACT! and there were signed copies avaiable.

Trust members enjoyed a buffet lunch as part of the event, which raised funds for Vulcan XL426 which is now preserved at Southend Airport.

Visit www.avrovulcan.com.