Dassault Super Etendard - 2 Escuadrilla de Caza y Ataque,

Armada Argentina, Rio Grande, 1982.

Academy. Generally a nice kit, with good looking but not entirely accurate decals. The colours of the blue tail markings are far too vibrant and the squadron badge is overscale.

This aircraft was credited with the sinking of HMS SHEFFIELD in 1982 and took part in the later sinking of the STUFT container ship, Atlantic Conveyor. Both attacks used the Aerospatiale MM38 Air launched Exocet anti-ship missile. RN Ships were poorly prepared against this particular threat; British intelligence assessed correctly that Argentina was not capable of operating the missile at the start of the conflict, but although French technicians were withdrawn, on the basis of the information they had already passed to the Argentinians, local technicians were able to make the launch system operational. On the back of this success, Exocet's reputation around the world was greatly boosted, including sales to Iraq, who repeated the Argentinian success, this time launched from the Mirage F1 against commercial shipping in the Gulf and the US OHP class Frigate, USS STARK.

Douglas A-4Q Skyhawk - 3 Escadrilla de Caza y Ataque "Tábanos",

Armada Argentina, Rio Grande,1982.

This ancient Airfix kit was first issued in 1958 and represents the very early A model Skyhawk. As such it is theoretically just about an acceptable base for an Argentine A-4Q, albeit that it lacks the very distinctive "unskinned" rudder of the main A-4 marks. The kit itself is very much past its best and not recommended.

During the 1982 Falklands War, the Argentine Navy's A-4Q aircraft operated initially from the carrier 25 de Mayo, but following the sinking of the General Belgrano in May 1982 the aircraft were withdrawn to safer shore bases on the Argentine mainland to operate alongside the Argentine Air Force's A-4Ps and A-4Cs. Naval Skyhawks participated in the attacks on the San-Carlos landings, including the sinking of HMS ARDENT.

In all, 22 Argentine Skyhawks (10 A-4Ps, nine A-4Cs, and three A-4Qs) were lost during the war, including eight to Sea Harriers, seven to ship-launched missiles, four to ground-launched missiles and other anti-aircraft fire (including one to "friendly-fire") and three to crashes.

IAI Dagger - Gruppo 6 de Caza, VI Brigada, Fuerza Aerea Argentina, 1982

PM. Not recommended. Crude, inaccurate, skinny, poorly fitting and the (nice looking) decals disintegrated on contact with the water.

A development of the French Mirage 3 and 5, the Argentine Air Force used the Israeli supplied Dagger fighter in the FGA role against RN ships during the 1982 Falklands conflict to good effect, pressing home their attacks with outstanding skill and bravery. A large number were lost to SAM, AAM and ground fire, but they took a heavy toll on the British forces.

Adversaries: Falklands War 1982

The other side Germany -WW1 Germany - WW2 Italian & Vichy Japan - WW2 Cold War & after

US OHP class Frigate, USS STARK

Sinking of the Atlantic Conveyor

sinking of HMS SHEFFIELD in 1982

Link to build page

IAI Dagger in detail

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An Argentine IAI Dagger, photographed from the deck of a British warship, flies at high speed along "Bomb Alley" during a low level attack on British war ships in San Carlos Water on 24 May 1982. The white clouds are shells bursting as British warships return fire. The Argentine pilots had been ordered to attack British warships in preference to the supply ships, which were in fact more vital to the success of the British landings at San Carlos.

Part 2 - The Falklands War 1982

Link to Part 1 - The Soviet Union, Korea and Russia

Link to Part 3 - The Yugoslavian Wars, 1992-96

Falklands 1982 Former Yugoslavia 1992-95