Hobby Master Archive

On May 21, 1982, during the Falkland/Malvinas War, three Argentine A-4Q Skyhawks from 3 Escuadrilla de Caza y Ataque attacked HMS Ardent. The A-4Qs normally operated from the aircraft carrier “25 de Mayo” but this operation was launched from a ground base. Several bombs hit HMS Ardent but during their escape all 3 aircraft were shot down by Sea Harriers. Two of the pilots managed to bail out but the third aircraft A-314 flown by Lt. Marcelo Gustavo Marquez burst into flames in mid-air and he was killed.