Except for the Pucara, all the aircraft used in the Falklands War were developed and manufactured by NATO countries during the Cold War years. They were fighters, interceptors, ground-attack, and transport aircraft as well as bombers. All of them were subsonic, except for the Argentinean-operated Mirage III and Super Etendard. No attack helicopter gunships were employed in this armed conflict. Most of Argentinean combat aircraft, flew blind, without advanced radar system and high-tech sensors.
British Aircraft
Sea Harrier. They were the Royal Navy's carrier-based combat aircraft, which could perform short take-off and vertical landing. The Sea Harrier FRS.1 and GR.3 versions were used in the Falklands War and both of them could carry out dog-fighting and ground attack missions. For the fighter/interception role, they were armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and two 30-mm guns. To attack objectives on the ground, it carried conventional free-falling bombs. Maximum speed: 665 miles per hour (1,075 km/h).
Below, two Sea Harriers about to land on a British carrier in the Atlantic.
Vulcan. This was a delta-winged jet bomber manufactured by Avro. Since it could not take off from an aircraft-carrier, it took off from the Ascension Island and it had to be refueled in flight in order to carry out its high-altitude bombing mission. Only blind conventional bombs were employed; thus, the problem was lack of accuracy.
Hercules C-130. This was the only transport plane utilized by the Royal Air Force and, like the Vulcan, it had to be refueled in mid air.
Sea King. It was transport helicopter, but the Sea King HAS.2 version was employed in the anti-submarine warfare role as it was fitted with a Thorn-EMI search water AEW radar.
Lynx. Built by Westland, this helicopter was also carrier-borne. It was used as an anti-ship and anti-submarine aircraft as it was armed with powerful Sea Skua missiles.
Argentinean Aircraft
A-4 Skyhawk. Designed in the mid 1950s by Douglas and employed in the Vietnam War, it was the main combat aircraft used by the Argentineans in this armed conflict. Both the Air Force and Navy employed it to attack both transport ships and ground troops. This delta-winged aircraft was very maneuverable and its performance flying at low levels was excellent. Flying blind, without adequate radar systems, the Skyhawks sank the HMS Coventry, HMS Antelope, and Sir Galahad, a destroyer, frigate and transport ship respectively, using conventional bombs. It also inflicted serious damage on the Glasgow and Argonaut frigates.
Below, the historical A-4 Skyhawk aircraft in service with the Argentinean Air Force and Navy.
Super Etendard. Made in France by Dassault, it was a very effective fighter-bomber, especially when it was armed with AM-39 Exocet missiles, which sank the British destroyer HMS Sheffield and the merchant ship Atlantic Conveyor.
Five Super Etendards flying over Patagonia
Mirage III. Also developed in France by Dassault and exported to several nations, it saw combat action in the Falklands War only once, with one Mirage being shot down by an AIM-9 Sidewinders missile fired by a Sea Harrier.
Below, the French-made Mirage III, which had been acquired by many Third World countries during the Cold War.
FMA IA 58 Pucara. Entirely designed and made in Argentina, it was an excellent fire support and ground attack aircraft, even though it was rather slow. However, the six Pucara aircraft stationed on the islands were destroyed by SAS troops during a night incursion with demolition explosives. They could have been a nightmare for the Royal Marines.
Hercules C-130. It was the only transport plane employed by the Argentinean Army and Air Force during this armed strife.
UH-1 Huey. Massively used in Vietnam, it was a utility helicopter used by both the Army and Air Force. Almost all of the Hueys employed on the islands were destroyed by the Royal Navy's Harriers.
CH-47 Chinook. A troop transport helicopter employed by the Argentinean Army and Gerdarmeria Argentina.