Contact! : A Victor Tanker Captain's Experiences in the RAF, Before, During and after the Falklands Conflict

A retired RAF Squadron Leader recounts his decades of service in Cold War combat zones across the globe, including his crucial role in the Falklands. Joining the Royal Air Force in 1970, Bob Tuxford distinguished himself as a fighter pilot, test pilot, squadron leader and flying instructor. In this enthralling memoir, he shares his story of active service across the world. Among other episodes, Tuxford details his exchange tour in the US Air Force and his courageous mission during the Falklands war that earned him an Air Force Cross for Gallantry. As a Victor tanker captain, Tuxford had the job of executing air-to-air refueling operations through the 1970s and early 1980s. This experience prepared him for the vital role he played in the first Black Buck mission during the Falklands campaign. Tuxford was the last Victor tanker to refuel the Vulcan piloted by Martin Withers before bombing commenced on that fateful night in 1982. Later in his career, Bob became the senior test pilot on the heavy aircraft test squadron at the Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down. In Contact!, Tuxford offers an intimate look at life in the RAF while shedding light on the importance of tanker squadrons during the Cold War. Contact! Is An Enthralling Set Of Recollections From Ex-raf Captain Bob Tuxford. The Book Follows His Twenty-year Career Within The Raf And Describes Highlights Of Active Service Across The World, Including An Accompanied Exchange Tour In The Us Air Force And Participation In The Falklands War.the Title, A Nod To The Crucial Response During Air-to-air Refuelling, Underlines The Important Role That Bob Carried Out During His Career As A Captain Of Victor K1s In 214 Squadron In The 1970s. This Experience Led To Him Playing A Vital Role In The First Black Buck Mission During The Falklands Campaign - By Being The Last Victor Tanker To Refuel The Vulcan Piloted By Martin Withers Before Bombing Commenced On That Fateful Night In 1982. For This, He Was Awarded The Air Force Cross For Gallantry. In The Latter Years Of His Career, Bob Made The Transition To Test Piloting And Became A Senior Test Pilot At The Aircraft And Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down.this Book Is Not Just For Aviation Enthusiasts, But For Those Wanting A Greater Insight Into The Importance Of The Work Carried Out By Tanker Squadrons Within The Raf During The Cold War. Annotation The book follows Bob Tuxford's twenty-year career within the RAF and describes highlights of active service across the world, including an accompanied exchange tour in the US Air Force and participation in the Falklands war. The title, a nod to the crucial response during air-to-air refuelling, underlines the important role that Bob carried out during his career as a captain of Victor K1s in 214 Squadron in the 1970s. This experience led to him playing a vital role in the first Black Buck mission during the Falklands campaign by being the last Victor tanker to refuel the Vulcan piloted by Martin Withers before bombing commenced on that fateful night in 1982. For this, he was awarded the Air Force Cross for gallantry. In the latter years of his career, Bob made the transition to test piloting and became a senior test pilot at the Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down Contact! is an enthralling set of recollections from ex-RAF pilot, instructor and test pilot Bob Tuxford. The book follows his twenty-year career within the RAF and describes highlights of active service across the world, including an accompanied exchange tour in the US Air Force and participation in the Falklands war.