Falklands Conflict in the Air | How British Harriers beat the odds

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As an Argentine I would love to be able to visit your museum sometime, and the perspective you offer was also very valuable to me. I was two years old at the time. I am sorry for the British and Argentine losses, needless bloodshed.

My good friend of many years sadly departed last week. Commander Sharkey McCartan Ward, hero of this conflict, and I were business partners and neighbours in Grenada West Indies. He always played down his part in the conflict but confided when asked. We were invariably invited to various functions at the Governors Residence or on board visiting Royal Naval ships. He was revered by all who knew him. For a joke, he would introduce me as Captain (I was a captain but in the Army) which outranked him in Naval terms. Our social life was great. His lovely second wife shared in our business affairs which only enhanced our friendship. A truly lovely man, sadly missed.

Blackbuck was such a British operation. Cobbled together against the odds and far beyond what was expected to be possible. The bravery of the Argentinian pilots was never in doubt but outclassed.

Still remember BBC's Brian Hanrahan reporting from one of the carriers on the Harriers going on a raid, "I'm not allowed to say how many planes joined the raid, but I counted them all out, and I counted them all back." Quite a few still doubted the Harriers, thinking them more of an airshow novelty, their performance in the Falklands proved the worthiness of the aircraft and pilots beyond any doubt, all the more remarkable considering this was not the sort of deployment any of them had ever been designed for, but they did it anyway, in the best traditions of the Senior Service.

The Harrier was the spitfire of the 80s, fantastic aircraft. 👏

As an American I have always been fascinated by the Falklands War. This series has been one of the most in depth analysis covering the war. Thank you for making such a brilliant series yet again!

I was a Radar operator on board HMS Bristol. We took up the position vacated by HMS Sheffield. I can remember the punishing flight schedule of the Harriers, particular the CAP . Whilst there is no denying that the Harrier did well, however, if I had to be the flagship officer in command then I would have preferred the Phantom F4 fighters and a squadron of jags. Not having a proper aircraft carrier was a sin.

The efforts made to get the 2 Vulcans to reach Port Stanley were damn near Herculean. Difficult to overstate how impressive that mission was.

May the fallen on both sides rest in peace.

A really good short documentary. I was 12 at the time of the conflict and this absolutely had a bearing on my life. I joined the R.A.F. at the age of 20 and at 23 was on detachment on the HMS Ark Royal during the Yugoslavia conflict. To stand on the top decks and watch the Harriers on their sorties was a childhood dream, we can't all realise these can we. Respect to all of the casualties of that war, something you don't think about so much aged 12 and watching your Country go to war 8000 miles from home, in that I include all of the surviving troops who made it home on both sides.

I can remember 2 harriers flying over our school in bradford on their way to the deployment to the Falklands conflict. I was 11 i think, i couldnt believe how loud they were but as typical boys we were thrilled at the sight of them. What machines!! Nothing but respect for pilots of both sides of this carry on.

me and my pals watched when the Sheffield was struck. I ll never forget the sick feeling in my stomach as she was nearly broken in half. It brings tears to my eyea even now.

The A4 Skyhawk was one of the most seriously underestimated ground attack fast jets in the history of air combat.

As a 9 year old boy in the US, this was the first war I remember following. Eleven years later and was a US Marine Lance Corporal training with the RM Commandos. By that time many of the RM corporals, sergeants, and color sergeants that trained me were veterans of the "yomp" to Port Stanley. I learned a good deal from them. The more I study the Falklands conflict the more I become impressed with what an impressive feat of arms and daring this operation was. It remains an important case study for those of us who are looking at the future of naval campaigns in the littoral operating environment. It is extremely relevant to current US concepts of expeditionary advanced base operations. (EABO). If the Argentines had the engineering capability to repair the Port Stanley Airfield, that could have been a game changer. That airfield was single point of failure for Argentine airpower. They failed to protect it and that probably lost them the war.

Thanks... A4 Skyhawks operated with our RNZAF... HMS Invincible visited NZ in the 80's and I thought the Sea Harrier was amazing.! .a mate of mine was Tactical Radar Operator on HMS Invincible during the Falklands War and he didn't know if he was going to live or die! and also there is a GR3 Harrier in a museum here in NZ.. thanks from down under 👍✈️🇳🇿

Excellent training, focused and courageous pilots and a thorough understanding of the Harriers limitations and how to work around them.

I had the honour of meeting a Falkland helicopter veteran. He crashed, and was trapped in his aircraft. A very brave man. I don't think he ever received the care he needed afterwards.

I've just recently returned from holiday in Argentina and I was stationed, temporarily, in the UK during the 90's. Both countries are great, with wonderful citizens and beautiful countryside. It's sad that this conflict took place. War is horrible and it is the politicians that bear the most responsibility for things like this happening. But, while I was in Buenos Aires, I met a young British man. He also had nothing but good to say about the friendly nature and wonderful country of Argentina. Cheers!

Let's not forget the live intelligence sent by Chile (obs and long range radar), letting the task force know that the AAF was on its way, and allowing the Harrier to get airborne without wasting too much fuel.