Tough as nails and in a class of its own at low level, the Blackburn (later Hawker Siddeley) Buccaneer may well have proved an invaluable maritime strike asset during the Falklands War, but in the event it was not called upon to serve in the conflict. Here a pair of Buccaneer S.2Bs of No 237 Operational Conversion Unit are captured in the type’s element - fast and low.

Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.3 XZ963 aboard HMS Hermes during the conflict. This aircraft saw combat against Argentinian helicopters and ground positions before being lost as a result of small-arms fire on May 30, 1982. The pilot, Sqn Ldr Jerry Pook, ejected into the sea and was rescued by a Royal Navy Sea King.

One of the plans proposed during the Falklands conflict was the use of the American aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) for British aircraft operations should the need arise. British Aerospace Sea Harriers would ultimately see operations from the carrier, these No 800 Naval Air Squadron FRS.1s being seen aboard the Eisenhower during an exercise in October 1984.

Sea Harrier FRS.1s XZ451 (nearest) and ZA176 both participated in Operation Corporate, the former using its AIM-9L Sidewinders, which it is seen carrying here, to shoot down several Argentinian aircraft, including a Canberra on May 1, 1982, and a Hercules on June 1.

Sea Harriers aboard the USS Eisenhower