During RAF air operations in the Gulf War of 1991, the effectiveness of Iraqi anti-aircraft defences resulted in Tornado and Jaguar strike missions having to be flown at higher altitudes, thus reducing their effectiveness.

They needed the support of the RAF’s ageing Blackburn Buccaneer jets with their ‘Pave Spike’ laser designator equipment to deliver smart munitions effectively, the only trouble was, these aircraft were back at their home base in Scotland.

The race was on to prepare and fly twelve Buccaneers in newly applied ‘Desert Camouflage’ and their laser designator equipment to the Persian Gulf and in just a matter of days, the self-titled ‘Sky Pirates’ were on their way.