Over the

Falklands
Part Ill

The mice that roared: Argentine Aermacchi

MB.339As in the Malvinas War

During the early days of the Falklands/Malvinas crisis, 1 Escuadrilla de Ataque deployed
detachments of MB.326s and MB.339s to four naval a ir stations a long the Argentine coast.
The nearest MB.326 carries rocket pods, while the MB.339 in the centre is loaded with a pair
of Mk.81 2501b bombs. Juan Carlos Cicalesi-Hernan Casciani Archive

When British Commandos and Paras went ashore from 11 troopships in San Carlos Water to
repossess the Falkland Islands on May 21, 1982, the first Argentine warplane to attack an escorting
Royal Navy (RN) warship was not a Fuerza Aerea Argentina (FAA) Dagger (see Aviation Classics Issue
17: Dassault Mirage III/5) or an Argentine Naval Aviation (Comando de Aviaci6n Naval Argentina or
COAN) A-4 Skyhawk, but a small, simple light attack jet, originally produced as a trainer by the
Italian aeroplane manufacturer Aeronautica Macchi, or Aermacchi.

he fact that this simple 'little'

warplane could get inside the
overlapping defensive arrays of
the warships' surface-to-air
missiles (SAMs) and elude the Sea
Harrier (SHARs) on combat air patrol (CAP)
nearby to deliver a surprising and defiant (if
not particularly damaging) blow against a
modern NATO frigate is a measure of the
courage and audacity of its dauntless pilot,
Teniente de Navio Lt Guillermo Owen Crippa.
The fact that this doughty light attack jet
could escape destruction by several ships'
sophisticated arsenals of missile and cannon
weaponry is a tribute to the fact that
Aermacchi has even imbued its trainers with
the genes of its classic warplanes.

ENTER THE AERMACCH MB.326GB

Following five decades of operating primarily
American aircraft, in 1968 COAN canvassed
the international aviation scene looking for a
replacement for its retiring Grumman F9F-2B
Panther jet fighter-bombers of 1 Escuadrilla

Aeronaval de Ataque (1st Naval Air Attack

Squadron). After considering the BAC 167
Strikemaster, Fiat G.91T.3, Fouga CM-170/ 175
Mag ister/Zephyr, and Hawker Hunter
FGA.ll/T.8, the service selected the
MB.326GB, Aermacchi's recently upgraded
jet trainer with a light gr ound attack capability.
Bought at a cost of $358,500 each, six were
acquired in late 1969, with two others
following three years later. Six pilots
journeyed to Italy in October to qualify on the
new jet, completing training at Lecce-Galatina
(near Brindisi) in April, the first COAN
aircraft (s/n 0613/coded 3-A-101) flying the
very next month. Following the training of
nine more pilots, and the acceptance of the
first six examples, on March 5, 1970, 1
Escuadrilla Aeronaval de Ataque formally
made the transition to the Aermacchi trainer.
At the time, the unit was a component of 3a
Escuadra Aeronaval at Base Aeronaval (BAN)
Comandante Espora, Bahia Blanca.
In the meantime- while the new pilots
were training in Italy- in October 1968 the

96 IN ASSOCIATION WITH ALENIA AERMACCHI - 100 YEARS YOUNG

squadron had temporarily converted to 20

Sud-Aviation-modified T-28 Fennecs, bought
from the French Armee de I'Air in 1966-67, 12
of these former USAF T-28As being further
modified by Hamilton Aviation for aircraft
carrier operations as T-28Ps (P for
'Portaaviones' or 'aircraft carrier-capable') .
In 1970, when the squadron transitioned to
the MB.326GB, the Fennecs were passed to
the reconstituted 2 Escuadrilla Aeronaval de
Ataque (which had been disbanded with the
retirement of its Vought F4U-5 Corsairs four
years prior [ 1]), but the unit's mission of
advanced flight and weapons training was
established during this period.
The squadron's primary purpose was to
take Escuela de Aviaci6n Naval (Naval
Aviation School, or ESAN) graduates from the
service's pilot training
programme at BAN
[ 1] See Aviation
Punta lndio, where
C lassics Issue 12:
Chance Vought
they learned to fly the
Fennec- and later the
F4U Corsa ir.
Beech craft T-34C

Established in 1919, the Argentine naval air arm's first Aermacchi products were two
Aeronautica Nieuport-Macchi M. 7 single-seat fighter seaplanes (#1 seen here) and a pair of
two-seat M .9 reconnaissance flying boats donated by the Italian Air Mission. Santiago Rivas

The Macchi M.7s and M .9s (#2 seen here) were based, along with 12 Curtiss HS-2L flying boat
trainers and six Curtiss-designed PN-5-L reconnaissance seaplanes, at the navy's flight school
at Puerto Militar d e Bahia Blanca, later Puerto Belgrano. Santiago Rlvas

Turbo-Mentor- and teach them to fly modern

jet aircraft. Additionally, the MB.326GB's
enhanced g round attack capabilities permitted
basic weapons and tactics training to be
taught, resulting in a fighter transition
programme similar to the RAP's IFF
(Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals) or the
USAF's 'lead-in fighter training' (LIF1) .
Unlike the RAF's Hawk T.1 and the USAF's
AT-38B however, the MB.326GB possessed a
real combat capability with six weapons
hard points beneath the wings, an Aeritaliamade fixed reflector weapons sight, and
strengthened airframe. Powered by the
3360lb (1524kg) thr ust Rolls-Royce (RR)
Viper 20 Mk.540 turbo-jet, the MB.326GB
could carry 4000lb (1814kg) of weapons,
including a pair of podded Browning-Colt
AN/ M2 .50-calibre (12.7mm) machine guns
and four LAU-10 (four Sin Zuni/ Mk.24), LAU32 (seven 2.5in FFAR) or Matra 122 (seven
68mm SNEB) rocket pods, four Mk.81 250lb
(113.4kg) low-drag general purpose (LDGP)
bombs or two Mk.82 5001b (226.8kg) LDGPs.
With this capability, the unit began
preparing its graduates to join the newly
established 3 Escuadriiia Aeronaval de
Ataque y Caza which acquired 16 refurbished
ex-USN Douglas A-4B Skyhawks , beginning
in 1971. Because it provided the transition
between basic pilot training and the combat
unit, on Januar y 31, 1972, 1 Escuadriiia was

One of 1 Esc uadrilla Aeronaval de Ataque's two Grumman TF-9J Cougars in 1962. The
squadron a lso operated 24 F9F Panthers. In COAN service, the carrier-capable F9Fs were
strictly land-based fighter-bombers because the Argentine navy aircraft carriers - ARA
lndependencia and Veintic inco de Mayo (formerly HMS Warrior and Venerable, respectively) could not launc h the heavy. under-powered first generation carrier jet. Author's Collection

transferred to the 4a Escuadra Aeronaval at

BAN Punta Indio to be eo-located with the
ESAN flight school.

THE MB.339A ARRIVES

Argentina had been the first nation to acquire
the MB.326GB and, likewise, it was the launch
customer for the export version of Aermacchi's
vastly improved follow-on version, the
MB.339A. The company's 'second generation'
trainer/ light g round attack jet retained its
predecessor's overall configuration, mating the
single-seat MB.326K attack variant's stronger
wing and empennage with the more power ful
(40001b/ 1814kg thrust) RR Viper 632-43 singlespool turbojet engine. The major, and visually,
the most obvious, change was the taller

forward fuselage housing vertically staggered

ejection seats, and a commensurately enlarged
vertical stabiliser.
The more robust air frame was naturally
heavier, so even with the more powerful Viper
turbojet, the MB.339A's weapons load was
reduced to 35001b (1590kg), with much of this
being used by the pair of enlarged Macchi
gun pods, these containing a 30mm DEFA 553
cannon and 120 rounds of ammunition each.
The weight restriction limited the other four
stations to a pair of Matra 155 (12 x 68mm) or
LAU-10 (four Sin HVAR) rocket pods, or two
Mk.81/ Mk 82 bombs . To aim the cannon and
rocke ts more accurately, both cockpits were
equipped with the Alenia-built Saab RGS 2
gyro-stabilised weapons sight, the rear ,..
Alenia Ae rma cchi 97

Initially the COAN's MB.326GBs - known as the MC.32 in Argentine

service - were painted in a light gull grey-over-white reminiscent of
the USN scheme from the 1960s.
Juan Carlos Cicalesi-Hernan Casciani Archive

cockpit's weapons aiming capability being

afforded by the 13in (33cm) higher
instructor's seat, allowing him to see over the
top of the student.
COAN ordered 10 MB.339As in August
1980, and they were delivered by the end of
the year, expanding 1o Escuadrilla Aeronaval
de Ataque in both size [2] and capability. The
next year was spent training pilots on the new
variant, and developing new maintenance
processes, due to the extensive systems
differences, compared to the MB.326GB.

"LAS MALVINAS SON

ARGENTINAS"-"THE MALVINAS
ARE ARGENTINA'S"
On April2, 1982, Operaci6n Rosario
successfully resulted in Argentina's
possession of the Falkland Islands (lslas
Malvinas to the Argentines), but as the month
wore on it became increasingly obvious that
the British were committed to repossessing
the islands, by force if necessary.
Correspondingly, the Argentine Junta
began building up its military defences on the
islands. Located 400-450 nautical miles (740833km) from the nearest mainland bases,
Army General de Brigada (Brigadier General)
Mario Benjarnin Menimdez and his
Guarnicion Militar Malvinas (Malvinas
Military Garrison) were responsible for
defending the islands, deploying eight
infantry regiments and two artillery groups,

The 1o Escuadrilla de Ataque's first M B. 326GB was 4-A-101 which

made its debut flight on June 16. 1969. Seen here mounting the
underwing pod, containing a Browning-Colt AN/M2 .50-caliber
( 12. ?mm) machine gun, this jet was lost in an accident on October
20, 1982. Juan Carlos Cicalesi- Hernan Casciani Archive

totalling 9804 soldiers. Fixed-wing air support

for the ground forces initially consisted of a
dozen Fabrica Militar de Aviones (Military
Aircraft Factory, or FMA) lA 58A Pucaras
(Grupo 3 de Ataque) stationed at Base Aerea
Militar (BAM) Condor, the FAA's name for
the small, rough, and soggy 1350ft (411m)
airstrip at Goose Green. These were to
provide CAS for the widely scattered outlying
army units on East Falkland/ lsla Soledad.
While the FAA's (two each) Boeing 707
and C-130H Hercules transports (from Grupo
1 de Transporte Aereo, forming the
provisional Grupo Aereo Exploraci6n y
Reconocimiento 1) provided long-range
maritime surveillance and accurately reported
the approach of the RN's Task Group (TG)
317.8, COAN's two Lockheed SP-2H Neptunes
(2a Escuadra Aeronaval's Escuadrilla
Aeronaval de Exploraci6n) were expected to
provide mid-range reconnaissance around the
islands. However, these elderly patrol aircraft
were increasingly unreliable mechanically so
a short-range (coastal) r econnaissance
capability, based on the islands, was required.
To meet this need, on April 24, two armed
T-34C-1 Turbo-Mentor trainers [3] (4
Escuadrilla de Ataque) were flown to the
Malvinas, joined by two more, three days
later. These were stationed at the 2100ft
(640m) grass airstrip on Pebble Island (lsla de
Borbon, north of West Falkland) at Estaci6n
Aeronaval (EAN) Calder6n and covered the

northern - and most likely- approaches to

the islands.
To provide a local maritime strike
capability and perform reconnaissance
east/south-east of the islands, the TurboMentors were followed by two 1 Escuadrilla
MB-339As (4-A-113 and -116). Led by
squadron commander Capitan de Corbeta
Carlos Alberto Molteni, and shepherded by
one of 4a Escuadra's four Beechcraft B200
Super King Air (4-G-43), the two MB.339As
were flown to Stanley Airport, renamed
'BAM/EAN Malvinas' by the Argentines. The
B200 also transported three additional
Aermacchi pilots, allowing Molteni to
establish a viable combat detachment.
The Aermacchi was the only Argentine jet
warplane capable of operating from the
island's austere 4250ft (1,300m) long runway,
however, there were no taxiways or dispersal
areas and tl1e small paved apron was always
crowded with the many transiting transport
aircraft. The soft, wet soil bordering the few
paved surfaces made parking problematic, so
the two MB.339s were positioned on wooden
platforms adjacent to the south side of the
runway, at its east end. This allowed quick
reaction take-offs to the west and the jets'
weapons were stored nearby, permitting rapid
re-arming. The squadron's maintenance
personnel stored its limited tools and spares
in a small Nissen-hut hangar near the apron.
Molteni was plainly aware of his

During an interim period, 1968-<>9. 1o Escuadrilla

Aeronaval de Ataque operated 20 Sud Aviation
T-28 Fennec armed trainers. This example
carries the French-built 2M Type 20 machine
gun pods, each containing a pair of .50-cal
Browning AN/M2s. leaving two stations beneath
each wing available for bombs or rockets.
Juan Carlos Cicalesi- He rnan Ca sciani Archive

GUARNICION MILITAR
MALVINAS (FALKLANDS
MILITARY GARRISON)
Componente Aereo (Aviation
Component)
Fixed Wing Units - as of May 1. 1982
BAM/EAN Malvinas (Stanley Airfield)
Detachment from COAN/l o
Escuadrilla Aeronaval de Atoque
2 x Aermacchi MB.339As
Detachment from Prefecture Naval
Argentina (Coast Guard)
2 X Shorts se. 7 Skyvan 3M (Note 1)

MB.339A 4-A-1 02 in flight over Buenos Aires Province. This aircraft was lost during the Malvinas
conflict when it crashed during a test flight from BAN Punta lndio on May 29. 1982 - both
crewmen ejected safely. Juan Carlos Cicalesi-Hernan Casciani Archive

detachment's limitations and capabilities. As

he later related, [4] "We began improving our
attack tactics, trying to reduce our
disadvantages and increase our advantages. I
decided that a very low attack with 127mm/
5-inch rockets and 30mm guns would be best.
We would cause damage over a smaller area,
but with much greater effect. We would attack
in open formation, almost line abreast''.
Molteni discounted using Mk.81 or .82
'iron bombs' because the MB 339A's
weapons delivery system released all the
weapons simultaneously (no 'ripple' releases)
while the aircraft maintained a stabilised and thus dangerously predictable to antiaircraft gunners- approach to the target.
Even duelling against a modern British
warship with rockets and guns might be
considered suicidal, but the Aermacchi's
30mm DEFA 553 cannon and 5in (127mm)
HVARs would be effective against weakly
defended troop transpor ts, landing craft and
other RN auxiliaries.
Meanwhile, on the mainland, 1
Escuadrilla de Ataque deployed its MB.326s
and the remaining MB.339As to four other
bases, providing daily coastal reconnaissance
patrols and local anti-ship capabilities. The l a
Arsenal Aeronaval at Punta Indio brought the
Aermacchi fleet to a high level of
serviceability, the unit's nine operational
MB.339s and all seven MB.326s being
deployed as outlined in Table 2.

"WAR IS
HELL..:'
For 1o Escuadrilla de
Ataque, the
announcement that
the Malvinas War had
begun occurred at
04.46hrs on May 1
with the famous, but
tactically ineffective,
Black Buck One
radar-bombing attack
by Avro Vulcan
XM607. [5 ] None of
the 20 Mk.17 lOOOlb
general-purpose (GP)
bombs that missed
the runway came
anywhere near the
MB.339A's parking
spaces. The follow-up
raid at 08.25hrs by
five Sea Harriers
(SHARs) from HMS
Hermes (800 Sqn)
was more effective.
Although they
missed the two
exposed COAN
attack jets, some of
the SHARs' dozen
cluster bombs set the
squadron's fuel dump
and maintenance ,...

....

......
.

_.---~

--.

Arriving a decade later. the MB 339Asknown as MC.33s in COAN service - were

initially painted in the white-over-orange
colours of Italian training aircraft. 4-A-1 15
was the aircraft that eventually made the
rocket/strafing attack on HMS Argonaut. Juan
Carlos Cicalesi- Hernan Casciani Archive

EAN Calderon (Pebble Island airfield)

Detachment from COAN/ESAN
(4 Escuadrilla Aeronaval de Ataque)
4 x Beechcraft T-34C-1 Turbo-Mentors
(Note 2)

[2] By this point one

MB.326GB (4-A-104)
had been lost in a
fatal accident on
April 21. 1979.

[3] Primarily these

were armed with
two 7 .63mm 'minigun' pods and two
MATRA 122 (68mm)
rocket pods. When
mobilised for war.
ESAN's 15 T-34C-1
armed trainers
became the COAN's
4 Escuadrilla de
Atoque.
[4] Some portions of
this account are
from Santiago
Rivas's excellent
Wings of the
Malvinas (Hikoki
Publications. 2012)
and are used with
his permission.
[5] See Aviation
Classics Issue 7:
AVRO Vulcan.

,.-- -

. .

""""'

---~

--

'Operacion Rosario' was such a surprise to

units not directly involved in the landings that
1o Escuadrilla de Ataque's initially deployed
four of its MB.339As- along with a pair of MB
326GBs - to BAN Rio Grande while still
painted in their training colours. During April
the jets were rotated back to BAN Punta lndio
to be camouflaged. Juan Carlos Clcalesl
Hernan Casciani Archive

BAM Condor (Goose Green airfield)

Detachment from FAA/Grupo 3 de
Ataque ("Escuadron Pucar6
Malvinas")
12 x FMA lA 58A Pucaras (Note 3)

NOTES
1. One Skyvan (PA-54) was badly
damaged by RN bombardment on
the night of May 3/4. 1ater destroyed
during the final artillery
bombardments on June 12/13: the
other (PA-50) was destroyed at EAN
Calderon on May 15 during a
commando raid by D Sqdn/SAS
Regiment.
2. All four T-34Cs were destroyed or
damaged beyond repair (DBR) at
EAN Calderon on May 15 during a
commando raid by D Sqdn/SAS
Regiment. One example (#411) was
confiscated and taken to the UK
where it resides at the Fleet Air Arm
Museum. Yeovilton .

3. Three Pucaras (A-506. A-517 and A527) were destroyed or DBR during a
Sea Harrier attack on BAM Condor on
May 1. after which seven aircraft were
flown to EAN Calderon where six were
d estroyed (A-502, A-520. A-523. A-529.
A-552 and A-556) on May 15 during a
commando raid by D Sqdn/SAS
Regiment. That afternoon. four
reinforcements were flown in from the
mainland. On the morning of May 21.
five Puc aras (A-509. A-511. A-516. A531 . and A-533) were operational at
BAM Condor while two others (A-513
and A-528) were unserviceable at
BAM Malvinas.

Alenia Aermacchi 99

Once British forces were ashore and the RAF No. 1 (Fighter) Squadron
established its forward operating location (FOL), Harrier GR.3s raided
BAM/EAN Malvinas frequently, damaging two Aermacchis. 4-A-116
was cannibalised - note removal of right main tyre - to keep two
others serviceable. Juan Carlos Cicalesi-Hernan Casciani Archive

(6] See Aviation

Classics Issue 11 :
The Hawker
Siddeley /BAE
Systems/Boeing
Harrier.
[7] HMS Brilliant
and Yarmouth
[8] The injured
sailors were Master
at Arms 'Connie'
Francis, hit in chest;
Leading Seaman
'George' Peel, hit in
face and would
lose an eye; and
Able Seaman 'Skip'
Dallaway, hit in foot
above the ankle.

hang ar on fire,
destroying the unit's
spare parts supply.
While the FAA's
Stanley-based
AN/TPS-43F radar
of the Grupo 2
Vigilancia y Control
Mreo (Grupo 2
VyCA; known as
'Radar Malvinas')
tracked a number of
contacts, mostly RN
helicopters on
various diversion
and special forces
insertion missions
plus the SHAR
CAPs, there was no
sign of approaching
British warships
until the destroyer
HMS Glam organ and

Aermacchi 4-A-112 was also damaged by RAF Harriers, the bomb

blasts spinning the aeroplane about, blowing out the canopy and
dislocating the right flap. lt, too, was cannibalised to keep others
flying. Juan Carlos Cicalesi-Hernan Casciani Archive

two Type 21 frigates arrived to bombard the

airfield parking area, anti-aircraft (M) gu n
emplacements, and the Grupo 2 VyCA radar.
Once again, damage was minimal -and none
done to the 1o Escuadrilla detachment- and
in this case the RN task group was attacked
by three FM Daggers (Grupo 6 de Caza)
which inilicted superficial damage on one
frigate. [ 6]
The 1 o Escuadrilla's first opportunity- and
first combat mission - occurred two days later
when Radar Malvinas detected 'a possible
landing ship' 60 nautical miles (111km) south
south-east of the islands, and the unit's two
MB.339As were sent out to investigate. Led by
Molteni, the pair flew beneath a 90().ft (275m)
overcast for 100 miles (160km), with only three
miles (4.8km) visibility amidst rain or fog.
Returning to base, conditions were so bad that
during his turn on to finals Teniente de Fragata
(Lt. Ug]) Carlos Benitez caught his left wing on
the off-shore rocks and crashed about h alf-amile short of the runway. Benitez was killed

and Aermacchi 4-A-113 was destroyed in the

crash.
Following several aborted attempts, two
more MB.339As (4-A-112 and -115) were
ferried to BAM Malvinas, on May 15,
shepherded by a Beech B200 (4-G-44) carrying
additional spares and support equipment. TI1e
worsening winter weather precluded flight
operations for the next five days.
During the three weeks from the first
impact of Black Buck One's bombs to the
arrival of Commodore Michael C Clapp's TG
317.0 in San Carlos Water (SCW), Menendez's
Componente Aereo ('air component',
commanded by FM Brig Gen Luis Castellano)
had been steadily depleted by SHAR bombing
attacks and Special Air Ser vice (SAS) raids.
The COAN's 4 Escuadrilla detachment had
been completely destroyed and, of the FAA's
original contingent (see T able 1), only seven
Pucaras remained, two of them unserviceable
at BAM Malvinas.
Additionally, the harsh Antarctic winter

DEPLOYMENT OF 1o
ESCUADRILLA AERONAVAL DE
ATAQUE AERMACCHIS IN THE
MALVINASIFALKLANDS WAR
a s of 1 May 1982
Base Aeronaval Comandante Espora,
Bahfa Blanca
3 x A ermacchi MB.339As
3 x Aermacc hi MB.326GBs
Base Aeronaval Almirante Zar, Trelew
2 x Aermacc hi MB.326GBs
Base Ae ronaval Contraalmirante
Quijada, Rio Grande
4 x Aermacc hi MB.339As
2 x Aermacchi MB.326GBs

Estac i6n Ae ronaval Malvinas, Pue rto

Argentina
2 x A ermac chi MB.339As

While 'Blac k Buc k 1' a ccomplished nothing but announc ing the start of the fighting. the
subsequent SHAR attac k set fire to the 1o Escuadrilla's fuel dump (left) and maintenance
hangar (right). Juan Carlos Cicalesi-Hernan Casciani Archive

100 IN ASSOCIATION WITH ALENIA AERMACCHI - 100 YEARS YOUNG

Mid-May 1982: Ae rmacchis 4-A-11 2 a nd -115 on their wooden 'hard stands'. LAU-1 0 rocket
launc hers loaded . alongside the east end of the runway at EAN Malvinas/Stanley airport.
Nearest the camera. 4-A-11 2. p ilot in cockpit. is about to launch on a dawn patrol. Santiago Rivas

weather was beginning to have a deleterious

effect on the MB.339As. Condensation inside
the Aermacchis' wings badly affected
electrical circuits, and as the winter worsened
freezing moisture rendered some components
inoperative. The sub-zero temperatures were
particularly draining on the aircraft batteries,
so much so that they would not hold a charge
sufficient to start the Viper engines.
Eventually, the batteries were removed and
stored in a warm shelter until an opportunity,
or need, to fly arose.

"... AND GETTING SHOT AT IS A

REAL SON OF A BITCH"
Beginning at 22.00hrs on May 20, 1982, the 11
troopships (SS Canberra, two other civilian
personnel ships, two large assault ships, five
smaller landing ships, and one Royal Fleet
Auxiliary [RFA]) ofTG 317.0 entered SCW and
dispersed to their assigned assault beaches.
HMS Plymouth, a rather dated Type 12 frigate,
accompanied Canberra to provide naval
gunfire support (NGS) for 3 Para's (3rd
Battalion, Parachute Regiment) landing at
Green Beach, near Port San Carlos, and closein M defence for the large passenger liner.
Five other escorts and RFA Fort Austin
remained in San Carlos Strait, the two- to fivemile (3-8km) wide waterway separating East
and West Falkland, mounting anti-s ubmarine
warfare (ASW) patrols and defending the
anchorage against Argentine fighter-bomber
attacks. The 'cork in the bottle' at the

northern entrance - the 3,200-ton Leanderclass (Batch 10 frigate HMS Argonautconducted ASW searches for the Argentine
navy's last operational submarine, assisted by
four Sea King HAS.5 helicopters (826 Sqn)
from Fort Austin.
As Air Engineering Mechanic Tim Court,
the electrical/weapons and radio specialist for
the Argonaut's Lynx helicopter (nicknamed
'Jason', naturally), recorded, 'The sun rose
gradually to give us a bright, clear, sunny day,
just what we really didn't want or need. As it
got lighter we slipped between the islands this was too quiet for my liking".
At 07.10hrs the arrival of Clapp's
amphibious force was spotted by the 62-man
Argentine army detachment (Equipo de
Combate Gi.iemes/'CombatTeam Eagle') at
Port San Carlos. Many helicopter movements
were observed and three Pucanis were
launched from BAM C6ndor to intercept
them. However, two of these were soon shot
down by a SHAR and an SAS-fired Stinger
man-por table air defence (MANPAD) missile.
About the same time two MB.339As were
scrambled from BAM Malvinas on an armed
reconnaissance, also with orders to attack any
helicopters encountered. One Aermacchi
failed to start, forcing Lt Owen Crippa to take
off alone at 10.04hrs. Crippa flew west, cleared
the army's inner defensive perimeter, then
angled north-west for Foul Bay, cruising at
300 knots (555km/ h) and 500ft (152m). Going
'feet wet' he flew out over the water, roughly

ARA Teniente de Navio Guillermo Owen

Crippa . Nicolas Kasanzew via Santiago Rivas

paralleling the rugged coastline, headed

south-west. Approaching San Carlos Strait, he
spotted HMS Argonaut near Fanning Head,
patrolling a two-mile 'box' in the strait's
northern entrance and, looking down the
narrow waterway, could see two more frigates
[7 ] guarding the southern opening.
He also spied the Argonaut's Lynx, which
had just been scrambled on an 'Air Raid
Warning Red' due to the Pucaras, believed to be
inbound from the south. 'Jason' carried a crude,
Heath Robinson-style 'Exocet decoy' fabricated
from deck plating and it deployed to the north,
just in case the Pucaras threat was a feint.
Manoeuvring to engage 'Jason', Crippa
discovered that he was conveniently aligned
to attack the Argonaut instead. Rushing to
attack, he initially forgot to arm his weapons,
but reacting quickly, Crippa unleashed all
eight 127mm rockets in a single salvo- they
flew harmlessly over the frigate - and strafed
the helicopter hangar.
As Court related, there was "a roar and
whooshing noise (the rockets passing
overhead) and a hammering sound across
the hangar roof, very loud and fast, followed
by a flash of red and a large splash to port
(the rockets impacting the water), and a brief
glimpse of something turning away from the
ship". The 30mm cannon shells damaged the
aft Gunnery Direction Platform and the
flying splinters wounded three sailors [8 ],
damaging the area around the aft Seacat
SAM launcher. >-

HMS Argonaut's aft Gunnery Direction Platform and Seacat SAM

launcher. seen here shortly before Crippa's strafing attack. The three
sailors wounded in the attack were all 'upper deck gunners (small
arms)', manning such weapons as the 7.62mm general-purpose
machine gun (GPMG) seen behind the Seacat. Pete Bennet

Sub-lieutenant (S/Lt) John Davies was also

on the Argonaut's flight deck that morning,
chatting with 'Jason's' second pilot, S/LtJohn
Hopkins, when he spotted the Aermacchi
approaching, later recounting "I remember
shouting 'f*** me, that's no Sea Harrier!' just
before the MB.339 opened up with rounds
passing just over our heads. The aircraft
looked as if it would belly flop in to the sea as
it pulled out of the attack run - it didn't and I
watched as it climbed over the cliffs heading
east- not much daylight between it and the
ground over whkh it flew".
In addition to three Shorts & Harland GWS
22 Seacat launchers, Argonaut mounted two
single-barrel manually aimed 40mm Bofors
M guns, but Crippa's attack was so sudden
none of these were able to react fast enough
to engage the speeding Aermacchi. Sweeping
over the surprised Argonaut, Crippa turned
into sew to avoid the two frigates at the far
end of the strait, being equally surprised to
see what he called "the entire British fleet!"
As he swept along the north shore of the
inlet, low and fast, Plymouth's 4.5in gun turret
opened fire, followed
[9] 1 Escuadrilla's
by the assault ship
morning mission
HMS Intrepid firing
had been aborted
an optically guided
due to bad weather Seacat, with troops
manning the railings
in the target area.
of Canberra opening

Another view of Aermacchi 4-A-116 damaged at EAN Malvinas. Note

the bulldozer to the left, which was used to create the fake 'bomb
crater' on the runway which successfully fooled British intelligence
(through US 'spy satellites') into believing that the airfield was
unusable. Note also the Pucar6 and Port Stanley/Puerto Argentine in
the right background. Santiago Rivas

up with 7.62mm machine guns and a Blowpipe

MANPAD. Crippajinked and zig-zagged, the
Aermacchi's crisp banks and tight turns
saving him from any hits from the brief
barrage of M weapons.
Dodging the fusillade took him across the
water to SCW's western shore where he zigzagged across Campito, the ridge
overlooking Ajax Bay, and escaped to the
south. Having the presence of mind to realise
that he had happened upon the main British
landings, Crippa returned to the south end of
sew to count and annotate the positions of
the ships unloading troops and equipment
there. Flying back to EAN Malvinas, he was
able to present the first full report of the
landings. For his courage in obtaining an
accurate and timely assessment of the British
naval forces and their dispositions information vital to the day's air attacks
being launched from mainland bases Crippa was awarded the Medalla al Heroico
Valor en Combate, (Medal for Heroism and
Bravery in Combat) , the highest decoration
awarded by the Argentine Navy d uring the
conflict.

SUPPORTING THE
GROUND FORCES
During the next few days, as FM Daggers
and Skyhawks, augmented by COAN's 3
Escuadrilla Aeronaval de Ataque y Caza,

battered the TG's escorts and amphibious

ships - sinking a destroyer and two frigates
and destroying two landing ships - raids on
BAM/EAN Malvinas by RAF Har rier GR.3s
(1 Sqn) damaged two Aermacchis (4-A-112
and -116) and destroyed one of the Grupo 3
Pucanis. Consequently, the two detachments
were reinforced on May 26-27 with the arrival
of two Pucaras and three MB.339As (4-A-110,
-114 and -117).
Ver y early on May 28, one week after the
landings in SCW, 2 Para launched its attack on
the 643-man 12th 'General Arenales' Infantry
Regiment defending Darwin and Goose
Green. Political leadership in London wanted
this flanking position neutralised before the
main force advanced on Menendez's inner
defensive perimeter. After pushing through
three defensive lines- and sustaining heavy
casualties in doing so - around mid-afternoon
2 Para turned the Argentine's flank, allowing
D Company to capture BAM Condor.
In spite of marginal weather early that
morning, a major CAS effort was launched by
the FM Pucaras and COAN Aermacchis from
BAM/ EAN Malvinas. Mid-afternoon (1500hrs),
as D Company approached the Argentine
positions defending Goose Green settlement,
Molteni led Teniente de Corbeta (Ensign)
Daniel Miguel (in 4-A-114) in rocket attacks
against advancing British troops. [9] Sweeping
in from the south, Molteni later related:

HMS Argonaut in San Carlos Water. Crippa's attack came from the starboard side (seen here). in a slight dive, witnessed by S/Lt John Davies,
Tim Court and others on the flight deck on the stern of the frigate. HMS Argonaut Association
102 IN ASSOCIATION WITH ALENIA AERMACCHI - 100 YEARS YOUNG

"I climbed a little to begin the attack run

and updated Miguel. I opened fire over the
hills where I saw British forces close to our
lines. I fired more than half my ammunition.
On my escape I saw something like an orange
balloon on the ground. I thought it might be a
missile, so I reduced power and turned back
towards it, then turned again, getting closer
to the ground.
"As I completed my turn, I heard the
controller saying, 'Escape! Escape! Your
wingman is hit!' Desperately, I asked if they
had seen an ejection and he said they hadn't.
I felt very depressed. Returning to base ... at
sunset I went to the HQ and was told that
Goose Green was to be surrendered."
As cannon and rocket fire chewed up the
ground, scattering D Company, Marine
Strange of the 3rd Commando Brigade's Air
Defence Troop stood his ground and fired his
Blowpipe. Miguel's jet exploded into a fireball
and impacted spectacularly on to the airfield,
killing the young pilot in the crash.

REDEMPTI0t1t RECOVERY
AND REINFOKCEMENTS
With the surrender of Goose Green, the end
of the conflict became inevitable so Molteni
was directed to save as much of his unit as
possible. He sent the extra pilots and
mechanics home aboard an F28 (5-T-21) while
his remaining ground crews prepared the
surviving Aermacchis for the long, risky flight
home. The two damaged jets (4-A-112 and116) were cannibalised for parts and on May
30 a third (4-A-110) had one wing damaged by
NGS bombardment of the airfield.
The first attempt to evacuate the two
remaining aircraft (4-A-115 and -117) was
thwarted by the chronic engine start
problems. Finally, on June 5, at midday,
Molteni and Ensign Guillermo Henry took off
for BAN Rio Gran de, first heading south at
low level for 70NM (130km), then south-west
the same distance before turning due west
and climbing. The surviving two Aermacchis
arrived safely at 1314hrs.
The third jet was repaired by June 7 and Lt
Jorge Becerra was available to fly it home, but
the opportunity to do so never materialised,
resulting in Becerra and six mechanics being

captured when Menendez finally surrendered

a week later. The three captured Aermacchis
were disabled by British troops throug h the
expedient of firing off the ejection seats, and
later collapsing the landing gear, after which
the aircraft were badly damaged by souvenir
collectors.
1o Escuadrilla Aeronaval de Ataque had
sacrificed much in the shor t, sad campaign,
losing two young pilots and five MB.339As to
the abysmal weather, enemy M fire and the
sporadic harassment attacks by Harriers and
naval bombardments. There is no discounting,
however, the courage of the young men in this
unit- both in the face of the harsh Antarctic
climatic conditions and the enemy's overall
military superiority- nor the capabilities of the
Aermacchi light attack jet in providing a
certain defiance to the enemy's relentless
campaign to repossess the islands.
On the mainland the unit also lost an
MB.326 (4-A-102) which crashed during a test
flight from BAN Punta Indio, both crewmen
ejecting safely. This reduced 1o Escuadrilla to
five MB.339As and six MB.326s. Worse, the
British embargo soon resulted in the
surviving MB.339As being grounded due to
lack of spare parts for the RR Viper 632-43
turbojets, eventually resulting them being
placed in permanent storage. To rebuild the
squadron, in March 1983 11 Embraer-built
EMB 326GC/AT-26 Xavantes were bought
from the Brazilian air force, one of which (4-A101) was lost in a crash five years later and
two others, as well as all the remaining
original MB.326GBs, having since been
withdrawn from use.
The Falklands War was the only modern
combat experience in which the MB.326/339
was involved, at least thus far. While the
Aermacchi's contribution to the Argentine
effort to retain Falkland Islands in the face of
the UK's campaign to get them back may have
been small, even mouse-like, compared to
other types employed by the COAN and FM
as the only jet based on the islands, it
demonstrated the defiance, courage and
commitment of the men and the unit that
employed it. While it may have been a mouse,
it certainly roared.
Words: Colonel Douglas C Dildy

Carlos Molteni retired as Capit6n de Navio.

and now resides in Buenos Aires. working for a
civil organisation supporting the Argentine
Navy. Santiago Rivas

Capit6n de Corbeta Carlos Molteni and the four p ilots of his squadron's EAN Malvinas
detachment standing before 4-A-11 5 on its wooden 'hardstand' .
Juan Carlos Cicalesi-Hernan Casciani Archive
Ale n ia Aermacchi 103