Building upon the experience of our first “hard copy” product (see 2016 Calendar/FIDAE Warriors), Gaceta Aeronáutica is releasing a new calendar for 2018.
This time, we pay tribute to Argentine airmen fighting the Malvinas War with a 12-months calendar illustrated with photos showing civil and military aircraft in special markings earned for their participation in the 1982 South Atlantic Conflict against the United Kingdom.
Illustrated inside the calendar are a variety of Argentine Air Force, Navy and civil aircraft involved in the so-called South Atlantic Conflict lasting between April 2 and Jun 14, 1982.
Air Force aircraft include A-4C Skhyawk C-321 (one of two IV Air Brigade aircraft surviving an attack on aircraft carrier HMS Invincible on 30 May) and Canberra B.62s B-105 (wearing marks for an incursion on Liberian oil tanker “Hercules” carried out deep into the South Atlantic Ocean on 8 June) and B-102 (showing markings for 15 effective bombing missions between 26 April and 14 June, although the aircraft launched 29 sorties during the war).
Also illustrated are A-4P Skyhawks C-222 “El Tordillo” (which took part in the disabling of HMS Argonaut on 21 May at San Carlos Bay, the sinking of HMS Sir Galahad on 8 June at Bluff Cove and the 13 June attack on a British command post at Mount Two Sisters ), C-214 (two kill marks earned after participating in at least three strike missions in the San Carlos Bay area on 21 and 24 May) and C-231 (two successful strike missions during the war, including the 8 June attack on vessels anchored at Bluff Cove) and IAI Daggers C-418 (participated in the sinking of HMS Ardent and caused damage to HMS Antrim on 21 May at San Carlos Bay, damaged RFA Sir Bedivere on 24 May at San Carlos Bay and HMS Plymouth on 8 June at Bluff Cove) and C-414 (one air cover, one air-to-ground and five “no target located” missions).
Also illutrated are non-combat aircraft, such as II Air Brigade’s Learjet 35A T-21 (earned Malvinas campaign markings while performing photo reconnaissance missions over territories occupied by British troops) and Boeing Vertol Chinook H-93 (casualty evacuation missions initiated on 1 May after a British attack on BAM Cóndor).
Navy is represented by Super Etendard 0752/3-A-202, one of Argentina’s most advanced combat aircraft type participating in the 1982 war and one of the aircraft involved in the 4 May successful attack on HMS “Sheffield” and in the controversial 30 May attack on HMS “Invincible”.
Illustrating several civil aircraft involved in the war through Air Force reserve Phoenix Squadron, is Citation I LV-MMR, probably the only one to get special marks, after performing supporting missions such as escorting combat aircraft on their way to Malvinas, flying liaison missions between mainland bases, etc.
Regrettably, no Army nor Coast Guard aircraft are illustrated due to lack of images illustrating speciall-marked units participating in the war.
As in our 2016 project, the calendar can be purchased via Internet through international printing service lulu.com. This convenient solution provider will print your personal copy of the calendar and will deliver it (through a variety of shipping options) direct to your home address in either of two options: Standard (11″ x 8.5″) and Large (13.5″ x 19″) formats.
