Veteran of Falklands 'Black Buck' raids 5 & 6, XM597 took the honour of flying the longest combat mission in the history of air warfare, precisely sixteen hours. Running dangerously short of fuel after an air-to-air hook-up mishap following mission 6 on 3rd June 1982, 597 diverted to Rio much to the consternation of the authorities, a Shrike missile stuck on its rail being confiscated. The aircraft was released after a week on condition that it would not be used in further combat; it was retired to the museum at East Fortune in 1984. Still in reasonable shape but in need of some TLC.

This photo is copyright © Richard Vandervord, and may not be used or published in any way without permission.

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