FMA 1A58 Pucara
Serial Number:
ZD485 (A-515)
Period:
Post-WWII
Collection Ref: 83/AF/1159
Location: RAF Museum Cosford, War Planes
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.
