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Description
RAF Cosford, War In the Air Hanger..
Named after a type of stone fortress built by early South Americans, the Pucara was designed to attack lightly-armed insurgents posing a potential threat to Argentina's military government. However, against a heavily-armed British force during the 1982 Falklands conflict, it was less than effective.
Development of the Pucara began in the mid-1960s, the first examples being delivered to the Fuerza Aere Argentina in 1976. Later that year, the aircraft flew its first missions against anti-government guerrillas. 108 were ordered in all, the last deliveries taking place in 1988. Three attack squadrons were initially equipped with the type and a limited number remained in service in 1994.
During the Argentine defence of the Falkland Islands, twenty-four Pucaras were despatched and made 186 sorties between them, including a number of rocket attacks. The only notable success however, was the downing of a Royal Marine Westland Scout helicopter (though the Pucara involved crashed shortly afterwards). Most of the others were immobilised on the ground by British forces. One was shot down by a Royal Navy Sea Harrier.
Five survived the war in reasonable condition and were shipped back to the UK. The aircraft displayed here was chosen for performance evaluation by the Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down and was returned to flying condition during 1983.
(War Record)
As part of the Argentine force invading the British held Falkland Islands, A-515 was one of the 12 Pucaras flown to the Falklands
Named after a type of stone fortress built by early South Americans, the Pucara was designed to attack lightly-armed insurgents posing a potential threat to Argentina's military government. However, against a heavily-armed British force during the 1982 Falklands conflict, it was less than effective.
Development of the Pucara began in the mid-1960s, the first examples being delivered to the Fuerza Aere Argentina in 1976. Later that year, the aircraft flew its first missions against anti-government guerrillas. 108 were ordered in all, the last deliveries taking place in 1988. Three attack squadrons were initially equipped with the type and a limited number remained in service in 1994.
During the Argentine defence of the Falkland Islands, twenty-four Pucaras were despatched and made 186 sorties between them, including a number of rocket attacks. The only notable success however, was the downing of a Royal Marine Westland Scout helicopter (though the Pucara involved crashed shortly afterwards). Most of the others were immobilised on the ground by British forces. One was shot down by a Royal Navy Sea Harrier.
Five survived the war in reasonable condition and were shipped back to the UK. The aircraft displayed here was chosen for performance evaluation by the Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down and was returned to flying condition during 1983.
(War Record)
As part of the Argentine force invading the British held Falkland Islands, A-515 was one of the 12 Pucaras flown to the Falklands
on or after this date, as one of the five attrition replacement aircraft flown from Rio Gallegos, Santa Cruz to Stanley Airport on 27/28 May, where a darkergreen/brown camouflage scheme more appropriate to operations in the Falklands had been crudely applied over the lighter standard scheme,though A-515 was repainted at III Brigade Aerea’s Reconquista Air Base, using Fiat car paint, in tan and light green, and undersides and upper tail unpainted,
Still in flying condition (as far I know), perfect condition, full service history on RAF Museum website).
Rob
initially with yellow stripes on tail and wings, which were later overpainted with sand pain.
Thus it was one of the last Pucaras to reach the islands to reinforce the Escuadron Aeromovil Malvinas. This force received 24 Pucaras, all of which were destroyed or captured. When initially deployed to Rio Gallegos, Santa Cruz before flying east to the Falklands some distance opposite, A-515 and other Pucaras were deployed and used for armed reconnaissance flights over the Argentine coast to prevent any British Special Forces attacks on mainland bases.Pucaras A-515, A-522 and A-536 flew the last Pucara mission of the war, against British artillery positions and troops on the northern side of Mount
Kentand Murrell Ridge on East Falkland, the FIERRO escadrille taking off at 08.28, returning at 08.45, having attacked with rockets and guns, A-515,
flown by Lt Morales, receiving hits from small arms fire. The Pucaras
remaining on the Falklands did not fly there again.
Trials included simulated combat with Sea Harriers.......14 June 82
Surrender of Argentine forces; Captured by British Forces at Stanley(renamed BAM Malvinas by the Argentines) in lightly damaged but airworthy condition with underwing rocket pods fitted - one of only 3 or 4 Pucaras still airworthy in the Falklands at the end of the campaign.
Shipped back to the UK on the Atlantic Causeway, flow by RAF pilots and assessment was : a robust and capable aircraft, other than being criticized for a lack of air conditioning, although no useful function for such a type in the RAF could be envisaged.
Shipped back to the UK on the Atlantic Causeway, flow by RAF pilots and assessment was : a robust and capable aircraft, other than being criticized for a lack of air conditioning, although no useful function for such a type in the RAF could be envisaged.
Still in flying condition (as far I know), perfect condition, full service history on RAF Museum website).
Rob
Image size
2256x1496px 1.96 MB
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D40
Shutter Speed
10/1000 second
Aperture
F/5.0
Focal Length
18 mm
ISO Speed
400
Date Taken
Jul 20, 2013, 1:19:29 PM
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Comments5
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as i said before, British Museums rocks. Looks like almost new!
Our Pucaras have a sad grey cammo here since after the war. bah, honestly several had it even BEFORE the war
Our Pucaras have a sad grey cammo here since after the war. bah, honestly several had it even BEFORE the war