Huertas, Salvador M. Argentine Skyhawks in the Falklands War

Targeting the Task Force in the South Atlantic in 1982

The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk was developed in the early 1950s for the US Navy and the US Marine Corps and flew for the first time in June 1954. As a compact, lightweight and versatile aircraft for its time, it quickly found a strong export market. Argentina was the first foreign operator and eventually purchased 130 A-4s. In 1963, the Argentine Navy wanted to replace its obsolete Vought F4U-5 Corsairs and Grumman F9F-2 Panthers. After investigations, it was proposed to replace the Corsairs with Douglas AD-5 Skyraiders and the Panthers with A-4 Skyhawks. However, negotiations with the United States proved difficult. In response to Argentina's consideration of purchasing the British Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.Mk.1, the United States approved the sale of A-4 Skyhawks to prevent the deal with Great Britain. This prompted Argentina to purchase 165 A-4 Skyhawks 129 for the Air Force and 36 for the Navy. The Skyhawks were the first jets to take off from a Latin American aircraft carrier. During the Falklands War in 1982, they achieved one of Argentina's greatest successes by sinking the HMS Ardent, which was operating from the naval air station in Rio Grande, Tierra del Fuego. Despite this success, the Skyhawks faced challenges, including their poor condition due to a US arms embargo against Argentina dating back to 1976. Argentine Skyhawks in the Falklands War examines the training, preparation and missions of the Skyhawks during the conflict. These Skyhawks operated from the aircraft carrier 25 de Mayo and included interceptors armed with Sidewinder missiles and attack divisions carrying MK-82 bombs. The book focuses on key engagements, such as the deployment of Royal Navy ships in San Carlos Water and the attack on the Ardent in the Falkland Strait. With numerous eyewitness accounts from Skyhawk pilots and rich illustrations, this book offers unique insights into Argentine operations during the Falklands conflict.