Right after the Argentinean Forces landed at the Malvinas/Falkland islands, the need for organizing the local air defenses and air patrol units was a must. The size of the very few landing strips in the islands greatly narrow the options, letting the high performance Mirages, Daggers and Skyhawk's out of the local based operational picture.

Instead where deployed light attack/coin type of aircraft like the prop's Pucara and Turbo Mentor. To strengthening the force, 10 Aermacchi MB339 flew to the island series 4A110 to 4A119 been the only operational jets out of there. Five units where lost during the conflict due to accidents and SAS sabotage operations.

The unit represented on this review is the one who attack the HMS Agronaut.

On May 21 early morning an Argentinean Army patrol detect the presence of British ships at
San Carlos Bay and, by 8:30 a.m. the news reaches the command post at Puerto Argentino.

Two Aermacchi where order to take off on an armed-recon mission. One of the aircraft experienced technical problems and have to stay behind so, 4A115 flown by Lt. Crippa was alone.

The pre-flight briefing contemplate a low level flight approaching from the south channel entrance but bad weather conditions force the pilot to approach from the north. As he entered the channel at 200 feet and 300 knots Lt. Crippa spot a Sea Lynx helicopter and target it but, when he was going to attack, he noticed that a frigate was operating on the channel north entrance. Crippa quickly turn towards the new target emptying the two 30mm gun canon and all 5 inches rockets on the HMS Agronaut provoking some damage and 3 wounded.
Now under heavy antiaircraft fire Lt. Crippa performs evasive maneuvers getting away from danger and making it in one piece to Puerto Argentino airport.
Now the Argentinean forces knew that this was the main landing force and from that point on, repeated waves of Skyhawks and Daggers pounded the British ships from that day until the end of the war with the results that made history.

The kit

Produced by Super Model in 1:72 scale the kit is made of 49 parts injected in light gray soft plastic plenty of details, some recessed but mostly raised. Two clear parts are fair and let you shown your model with the cockpit opened or closed. The airbrake can be positioned open or closed. Also came with two sets of wingtip fuel tanks, under wing pylons, two rocket launchers two under wing fuel tanks and sensors. Building process goes smoothly and no mayor issue has to be addressed.

Painting

Shortly before their transfer to the Malvinas/Falklands, and on the first week of April 1982, the Aermacchi 339 replace their white and red training colors for a two tone camouflage scheme dark tan and medium green. The under surfaces remain with the original white color.

With the profile shape on hand I carved the canon out of wood, then prepared a mold and reproduce both canons with resin. The fuel tanks and rocket launchers are provided with the kit.

Conclusion

What I really enjoy the most was the research process about the Malvinas/Falklands war. Besides the canons, I built the kit straight out of the box. The kit is good and recommended for intermediate skill modelers and up.

Bibliography

- Book "Guerra Aérea en las Malvinas"
- Book "Aviación Naval Argentina en las Malvinas"
-Testimony of pilots.