Falklands War video: Argentine A-4 Skyhawks' (insane) low level attack

June 1, 2012 Falklands War, Military Aviation, Military History

David Cenciotti

At its 30th anniversary, the Falklands War (Malvinas for the Argentine people) offers several interesting “case studies”: long range strikes, daring combat missions and insane low altitude attack runs.

For sure, low level attacks conducted by the Argentine A-4s trying to escape the Sea Harrier’s Combat Air Patrols remain one of the distinguishing features of the war in southern Atlantic Ocean.

In this video, you can see some of the repeated air attacks by low-flying Argentine jets during the amphibious landing on beaches around San Carlos.

In the age of stand-off missiles, PGMs and stealth fighters, such scenes are a bit anachronistic. But interesting.

Odyssey of an A-4 Skyhawk Pilot during the Falklands War: Captain Alberto Jorge Philippi’s story (theaviationist.com)
This impressive image was taken 30 years ago today: Argentine A-4B Skyhawks low level attack on HMS Broadsword (theaviationist.com)
Sea Harrier, the forgotten hero that won the war in the Falklands. To be replaced by the F-35B. (theaviationist.com)

About David Cenciotti

David Cenciotti is a journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.

juanmabaiu says:

June 1, 2012 at 6:42 PM

Thanks David
juanmabaiu says:

June 1, 2012 at 10:17 PM

One more thing, low flying was to avoid being deteted so PACs could not be vectored but also so radars could not lock into the aircraft and air defenses where inefective.

As an example.
On May 25. “Vulcanos” and “Zeus” flight could not be engaged by Sea Dart in longer distances because of the clutter of Pebble/Borbon island (barely visible in the background of the picture)