Nicholas Witchell, BBC
Mrs Thatcher's plane had been escorted on the last couple of hundred miles of her route by RAF Phantom fighters with one at each wing tip. Her Hercules made a low pass over Stanley Airfield and the town. A few moments later after local dignitaries have gathered on the apron her plane was taxiing in. The Prime Minister was up in the cockpit waving through a wide window. She looked tired but special seating had been put in the Hercules' huge cargo hold for her, her husband Denis and the small party of aides who travelled with her. She was met at the foot of the plane's steps by the civil commissioner, Sir Rex Hunt and his wife, the military commissioner, Major General David Thorne and other senior service officers.
[Inaudible conversation with welcoming party as MT gets off the plane.]
MT
It's difficult to distinguish from where we were Tumbledown and Sappers Hill. We'll go and have a look at them.
interview begins
Nicholas Witchell, BBC
Did you have a comfortable flight?
MT
We had a very comfortable flight. Ah, it's quite an experience, we were refuelled twice on the flight and it required three tankers to do it, but of course that's normal for them, it's very unusual to us.
Nicholas Witchell, BBC
What were your feelings a few moments ago when you first overflew Stanley and then when you stepped out on to the Falklands?
MT
We're really very thrilled, and very excited. We've come to talk to the people here, to support the armed forces here, to pay tribute to those who liberated the islands. [end p1]
Nicholas Witchell, BBC
There is a danger I suppose that the Argentines could interpret a visit by you as a provocative gesture?
MT
It would be very strange if I did not come to the Falkland Islands, very strange indeed.