Argentinian Air Force and Navy Air Arm

[gekho]

The last prototype airplane North American built at the General Aviation plant in Dundalk, Md., was for the NA-16 trainer series, later produced in California. The low-wing monoplane had open cockpits in tandem and a fixed, unfaired undercarriage. Made mostly of metal, but with some fabric on the rear fuselage, it was submitted to the Army Air Corps for evaluation within a month of its first flight. The design was selected for production as a basic trainer, although the Air Corps requested the cockpits be enclosed, fairing installed on the undercarriage and the engine changed to a 600-horsepower P&W R1340 engine. With these modifications, and a new designation of NA-18, the prototype was eventually sold to Argentina. The production versions launched North American as a manufacturer of training aircraft, starting with 267 BT-9s and 330 BC-1 "basic combat" trainers. In all, more than 17,000 derivatives of the NA-16 were built in North American's Los Angeles, Calif., and Dallas, Texas, plants during the 1930s and 1940s.

 

[gekho]

Used as the personal transport of the Navy Minister, it was also used as aerial navigator trainer. It was destroyed due to an accident in 1944, when the brakes failed and the aircraft went to stop over the railway tracks, being run over by a train.

 

[gekho]

Some aviation experts consider the FIAT G55 Centauro the best single seat fighter produced for the Italian air force in World War Two. The Fiat G55 Centauro was a redesigned version of the G50 Freccia. Differences included a DB 605 A-1 engine, an improved fineness ratio of the fuselage and a redesigned wing, built in 2 sections ,bolted together at the centerline for greater efficiency. Metal stressed skin was used and the metal framed airlerone was fabric covered. The first prototype was flown on April 30, 1942 and production started in the beginning of 1943. The initial model was the G55/0 which held a 20mm MG 151 cannon and (4) 12.7mm Breda SAFAT machine guns.

The "O" model was succeeded by the "I" model which held three 20mm MG151′s and two Breda SAFAT machine guns. Deliveries of the G55 to the 53rd Stormo and the 353rd Squadriglia of the 20th Gruppo just started when Italy surrendered to the Allies on September 8, 1943. Because of Italy's surrender, the G55 did not see combat with the Regia Aeronautica. However, factories which were building the G55′s were still under the control of the Republica Sociale Italiana (Salo Republic) in northern Italy, and several thousand were ordered. The G55 became the RSI's standard aircraft for their air force. Shortages began to develope as the DB 605 A-1 engines became scarce and only 105 FIAT G55′s were produced by the time the Allies overran all of Italy. Other models developed based on the G55 which were the G55/II with 5 20mm cannons and the G55/S Torpedo Fighter, which carried one 2,176 lb Whitehead fiume torpedo beneath the fuselage. Both of these variations of the G55 flew in 1944.

After the war, production of the G55 resumed for foreign export and the newer G55/A's and G55/B's were built. Fiat reinstalled the production lines to produce the G.55A armed with either 2 wing-mounted 12.7mm machine guns or 2 20mm canon plus the 2 12.7mm machine guns in the cowling. 19 went to the Italian air force and 30 were supplied to Argentina. Argentina returned 17 that were then sold to Egypt in 1948, being armed with 4 12.7mm machine guns. A 2-seat trainer version, the G.55B was built in 1946 with 10 going to the Italian air force and 15 to Argentina in 1948.

 

[gekho]

The Fiat G.46 was a military trainer developed in Italy shortly after World War II. It was a conventional, low-wing monoplane with tailwheel undercarriage, the main units of which retracted inwards. The pilot and instructor sat in tandem under a long canopy. Testing revealed excellent flying characteristics and suitability for aerobatics, and the type was ordered into production. Apart from the 150 ordered by the Aeronautica Militare, 70 aircraft were exported, to Austria, Argentina and Syria.

The G.46-2 delivered to Argentina between 1948 and 1951 corresponded to the export model. They had a machine gun Breda-Safat of 7.7 mm in the right wing and a basic look at the forward position, for the student. This was a poor weapon performance, and premature wear of the drive mechanism led to the gradual disarmament of the entire aircraft. The power plant was an engine de Havilland Gipsy Queen 30, 250 hp six-cylinder inline inverted, unlike the Alfa Romeo 115, the aircraft of the AMI. The Gipsy Queen improved both the performance of the G.46 that the Italians increased engine power in its later versions. During the nearly 10 years at the FAA, the G.46 was allocated mainly to the Military Aviation School and Br VII Aé. Moron. They are also distributed in different Brigades and Detachments Military Air Airlines where he served liaison aircraft and general purposes.

 

[gekho]

The Chance Vought F4U Corsair was a carrier-capable fighter aircraft that saw service primarily in World War II and the Korean War. Demand for the aircraft soon overwhelmed Vought's manufacturing capability, resulting in production by Goodyear and Brewster: Goodyear-built Corsairs were designated FG and Brewster-built aircraft F3A. From the first prototype delivery to the U.S. Navy in 1940, to final delivery in 1953 to the French, 12,571 F4U Corsairs were manufactured by Vought, in 16 separate models, in the longest production run of any piston-engined fighter in U.S. history (1942–1953). The Corsair served in with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines, Fleet Air Arm and the Royal New Zealand Air Force, as well as the French Navy Aeronavale and other, smaller, air forces until the 1960s. It quickly became the most capable carrier-based fighter-bomber of World War II. Some Japanese pilots regarded it as the most formidable American fighter of World War II, and the U.S. Navy counted an 11:1 kill ratio with the F4U Corsair.

The arrival of the Corsair to the Naval Aviation comes to life in August 1956 with the creation of the Naval Air Combat Squadron. But the history of the F4U-5 in the Navy Argentina, began in 1955, when it tried to acquire surplus aircraft from the U.S. Navy. The idea was to get the AD Skyraider, but because France was at war in Algeria, the USN prioritized the sale of those planes to Aeronavale, with whom they were more commercial interests. Following this, the USN offered two models of the famous Corsair: the F4U-4 and F4U-5 at a higher price. After sending experts and technicians decided to buy the latest model to have greater benefits and fewer years of service. The initial order for 12 aircraft was F4U-5 model, which was stored for some time and in poor condition, which must be traversed and set to zero, in addition to placing new engines, a private company (Aerocorporation) in Atlanta . Actively participated in this Argentine mechanics.

In a short time, ten additional aircrafts were acquired, F4U-5N/NL model, with the radar AN/APS-19A this being the first South American fighter plane equipped with radar, autopilot and engine flame arrestor, so escapes wore square replacing the original round F4U-5. In May 1957 eight aircraft are purchased over-5NL F4U model to replace the initial losses (some aircraft were lost due to poor initial experience of its drivers). Of these eight aircraft, three aircraft were used for sources of spare parts. First came the country's F4U-5N/NL by sea to La Plata and transported by road to Punta Indio in July 1956. There they formed the Night Fighter Squadron. For the next year come on ferry flight from the USA the 11 remaining aircraft, one was lost in accident in U.S. during testing and activates the Day Fighter Squadron. Before the arrival of the aircraft carrier Independence, the Corsair off and will practice in Punta Indio apontaje on a simulated track brake cables included, already in the middle of 1959, first used on aircraft carriers. Nearing the end of its operational life, perform exercises with the F9F-2 Panther, newcomers to Argentina. At that time began to be felt the wear characteristic of the material. In 1965 he kept only six aircraft in flight, among the most common problems were the lack of oxygen pressure in the cabin or engine inlet gases into the air. On January 20, 1966 is off the 2nd Squadron of Attack, although it did not fly the Corsair since November 1965.

 

[gekho]

Five C-54 were bought in 1947, being one of these aircrafts the first airplane which flew from the continent to the Antarctic, as well as the first airplane which crossed the Artic Cicle on the same flight. They took part in many rescue misions over the Antarctic, flying more than 100.000 hours. All of them were lost in accidents.

 

[gekho]

Argentine Navy purchased nine PBMs during the 1950s for the Argentine Naval Aviation, retiring its last Mariner in May 1962. In the first three that were purchased, 2-P-22 came out of New Orleans on January 20, 1955, commanded by Cap. J. Acha Martinez and co-pilot Lt. G. Sylvester. The 2-P-22 had problems with the left engine probably near Georgetown, British Guiana, so return to the NAS Trinidad. The engine was changed to Fleet Aircraft Service Squadron 115. On February 10, while the new engine ran, there was a flashback to what started a fire of fuel. The fire truck on the empty stage their foam before the fire had been contained and the plane was damaged beyond repair.

 

[gekho]

In 1951 the project begins to take shape I.A. 35, Mr. Klages design. Kurt Waldemar Tank and Engineer Schaime tested for taxi and approving the airplane for its first flight, made ​​on September 7, 1953 by Test Pilot First Lieutenant Jorge Conan Doyle, while the first device in the serial version made on 29 March 1957. In late 1958 he gave an order to build 100 machines and 42 units were completed, including the prototypes, most of the units built were intended for Group II Exploration and seat Attack Air Base City Reconquista (Santa Fe). The retirement from active duty was in 1974 to be replaced by I. A. 58 Pucara.

 

[rochie]

great pictures especialy those Corsairs

 

[Gnomey]

Good stuff!

 

[gekho]

On June 1966 the Armada Argentina concluded a purchase contract for 45 T-28S Fennec OFEMA with the French company. These aircraft were intended to serve in the Naval Aviation School, then equipped with veterans AT-6/SNJ Texan. On the occasion of the Naval Magazine, February 1967, made ​​its public debut, when a squadron of 8 Fennec commanded by Lieutenant Commander James Whammond flew over the coast of Mar del Plata. By September 1967, the Navy purchased an additional lot Argentina 20 Fennec, aircraft and also operated with the 2nd Squadron Naval General Purposes. Since 1969, the "Taco-28" (designation applied to the Naval Aviation Fennec in Argentina) became a magazine with the 1 st Naval Attack Squadron, Naval Base Commander from Spore. He soon began working with the aim of adapting these aircraft for airborne operations since then embarked naval group was limited to the use of helicopters and Grumman S-2 Tracker.

The study and conversion of the aircraft was executed entirely in Punta Indio Naval Air Base. The navalización of the T-28 Fennec meant the installation of a series of structural reinforcements, the installation of a hook braking and changing the propellers. And modified aircraft, identified as T-28P, re-equipped with the 2 nd Naval Attack Squadron. Often underestimated, the Taco 28 played an important role in the evolution of Naval Aviation that allowed him to Argentina and qualify for airborne operations to a significant number of naval aviators. Also proved very adaptable aircraft, from attack trainer aircraft and photographic reconnaissance. The acrobatic squadron team Fennec "Aurora"and was the test platform for air-to-air and air-surface national design. As ordered in Resolution No. 005 Navy Confidential, the T-28 were disaffected from active service, dated July 3, 1979. However, a group of nine T-28 Fennec was transferred to the Uruguayan Naval Aviation November 20, 1979, integrating the Tactical Support Squadron Squadrons Group. Taco 28 Further, several are in flight in the U.S. in private hands.

 

[gekho]

The de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver is a single-engined, high-wing, propeller-driven, STOL aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada, primarily known as a bush plane. It is used for cargo and passenger hauling, aerial application (crop dusting and aerial topdressing), and has been widely adopted by armed forces as a utility aircraft. The United States Army purchased several hundred; nine DHC-2s are still in service with the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary (Civil Air Patrol) for search and rescue. A Royal New Zealand Air Force Beaver supported Sir Edmund Hillary's expedition to the South Pole. Over 1,600 Beavers were produced until 1967 when the original line shut down.

the first units of this aircraft were incorporated into the Air Force Argentina during 1960, from Toronto. Small appliances, i was in charge of Canadian crews, and after his arrival were assigned to the Southern Air Group No. 1. In mid-Ago60 the first two DHC-2 were transferred from the Metropolitan Airport to Base El Palomar. The Air Pictorial magazine in its issue of Mar61 - cited the departure from Toronto on 06Oct60, while notifying the acquisition of a third Beaver will be delivered to the Naval Aviation Argentina.

In March both aircraft would be assigned to the Joint Base Matienzo, but before the onset of winter, the two machines were badly damaged by the effects of various temporary. In october was decided to send a commission to Canada for the purchase of a new Beaver. For the 1961/62 season and were in office aircraft P-03 and P-04, recorded flight of two aircraft from the day 01Ene62. Again, the adversity of the environment meant that both aircrafts were damaged because of an extremely violent windstorms. Since then the small single-engine heavy tasks fulfilled, as the weather permits. In Nov63, equipment operations performed on a large floe size, evaluate any possible complication marítuma navigation, according to an account of Antarctic Bulletin published in National Aeronautics and Space Magazine. In 1968 the DHC-2s were replace by the DHC-6 Twin Otter.

 

[gekho]

The Lockheed P-2 Neptune (originally designated P2V until September 1962) was a Maritime patrol and ASW aircraft. It was developed for the United States Navy by Lockheed to replace the Lockheed PV-1 Ventura and PV-2 Harpoon, and being replaced in turn with the Lockheed P-3 Orion. Designed as a land-based aircraft, the Neptune never made a carrier landing, although a small number of aircraft were converted for carrier use and successfully launched. The type was successful in export and saw service with several armed forces.

The Argentine Naval Aviation had received at least 16 Neptunes in different variants since 1958 including eight ex-RAF for use in the Escuadrilla Aeronaval de Exploración (English: Naval exploration squadron). They were intensively used in 1978 during the Operation Soberania against Chile including over the Pacific Ocean. During the Falklands War in 1982, the last two airframes in service (2-P-111 and 2-P-112) played a key role of reconnaissance and aiding Dassault Super Étendards, particularly on the 4 May attack against HMS Sheffield. The lack of spare parts, caused by the US having enacted an arms embargo in 1977 due to the Dirty War, led to the type being retired before the end of the war; Argentine Air Force C-130 Hercules took over the task of searching for targets for strike aircraft. In 1983, the unit was reformed with Lockheed L-188 Electras modified for maritime surveillance; in 1994 these were replaced with P-3B Orions.

 

[Gnomey]

Good stuff!

 

[Claudio Moura]

Argentine Navy purchased nine PBMs during the 1950s for the Argentine Naval Aviation, retiring its last Mariner in May 1962. In the first three that were purchased, 2-P-22 came out of New Orleans on January 20, 1955, commanded by Cap. J. Acha Martinez and co-pilot Lt. G. Sylvester. The 2-P-22 had problems with the left engine probably near Georgetown, British Guiana, so return to the NAS Trinidad. The engine was changed to Fleet Aircraft Service Squadron 115. On February 10, while the new engine ran, there was a flashback to what started a fire of fuel. The fire truck on the empty stage their foam before the fire had been contained and the plane was damaged beyond repair.

Dears,

the first doesn´t Argentina´s Mariner but Uruguayan Mariner.

Regards,
Claudio Moura