Skyhawks over the South Atlantic

By 1982, the backbone of the Argentine combat aviation, both in the Air Force and the Navy, was formed by three batches of Douglas A-4 Skyhawks, with the A-4B and C of the Air Force and the A-4Qs of the Navy. Despite their age, being a model almost 30 years old at the time of the war, and lacking protection, they took on the overwhelming struggle to fight the British Task Force that opposed the Argentine forces on the Malvinas/Falkland Islands. The Skyhawks were responsible for inflicting the greatest damage upon the Royal Navy, sinking HMS Coventry, Ardent, Antelope, RFA Sir Galahad, and LCU F-4, while damaging many other ships and striking ground targets. They also suffered heavy losses, with 10 A-4Bs, 9 A-4Cs and three A-4Qs lost in combat, with eighteen pilots being killed. The experience of the Skyhawk during the war was another addition to the legend the model had become over the skies of Vietnam and Israel. Despite many reports to the contrary, at the time of writing, the Argentine Air Force still operates modernised A-4ARs and OA-4ARs and is one of the two military operators of the Skyhawk in the world.

"....I can honestly recommend it for those looking for an unbiased account of the tactical actions of the Falklands War. It is a very approachable book, easy to read, well written and edited." The Naval Review

"...an engrossing read. A scene-setting section provides the reader with an understanding of the political situation in the early 1980s, along with how the A-4B/C/P Skyhawk was brought into service, initially from land bases, but also on the country's only aircraft carrier, ARA Veinticinco de Mayo." Airfix

"This is a fascinating book that not only gives an insight into the Argentine side of the Falklands War, but also providesa valuable reference on the A-4 Argentine Air Force and Navy service, utilising many images that have not been published before. For modellers and students of modern history it represents excellent value for money." IPMS, Issue 4, 2023