HMS Ardent A-4 Attack
On this day in 1982, 3 waves of A-4 Skyhawks of the Argentine Armada and Fuerza Aérea Argentina flew from Rio Grande airbase in mainland Argentina to attack British ships in Falkland Sound. 10 of those were from the 3rd Naval Fighter Squadron, formerly embarked on the Veinticinco de Mayo aircraft carrier. They hit the frigate HMS Ardent with multiple bombs and raked her with cannon fire, causing the hanger bay to explode and vital systems to burn uncontrollably. The ship was abandoned and sank the next day with the loss of 22 sailors. The bravery of the Argentine pilots holds them in high regards to their British counterparts, flying very low to avoid radar and missile systems to attack the surface fleet. This was also of course extremely hazardous, exposing them to 20mm anti-aircraft and small arms fire continuously and causing some of their weaponry to be dropped without enough time for the fuses to arm. 3 Skyhawks were lost after the attack along with 2 pilots after being engaged by Royal Navy Sea Harriers from 800 squadron. flic.kr/p/2mEHWdG
HMS Ardent A-4 Attack
On this day in 1982, 3 waves of A-4 Skyhawks of the Argentine Armada and Fuerza Aérea Argentina flew from Rio Grande airbase in mainland Argentina to attack British ships in Falkland Sound. 10 of those were from the 3rd Naval Fighter Squadron, formerly embarked on the Veinticinco de Mayo aircraft carrier. They hit the frigate HMS Ardent with multiple bombs and raked her with cannon fire, causing the hanger bay to explode and vital systems to burn uncontrollably. The ship was abandoned and sank the next day with the loss of 22 sailors. The bravery of the Argentine pilots holds them in high regards to their British counterparts, flying very low to avoid radar and missile systems to attack the surface fleet. This was also of course extremely hazardous, exposing them to 20mm anti-aircraft and small arms fire continuously and causing some of their weaponry to be dropped without enough time for the fuses to arm. 3 Skyhawks were lost after the attack along with 2 pilots after being engaged by Royal Navy Sea Harriers from 800 squadron. flic.kr/p/2mEHWdG