The FMA Pucará; Argentine Guerilla Hunter

The Pucará seemed to offer a great deal as a COIN aircraft. But it didn't quite hit the big time, though it certainly had its successes.
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[@derlibero9668]

my father flew 4 of the 6 Uruguayan Pucaras from the factory to their base in Uruguay back in 81. he was the Uruguayan Air Force 1st Pucara instructor.

[@Rich77UK]

I love these aircraft. Without wanting to offend, it's the "lightweight" A10 warthog.

[@kennethmartin1300]

Yeah, I was gonna say, "Poor Man's Warthog", but "lightweight" is better. I think they thought so with that killer warthog nose-art in one of the photos.

[@stankygeorge]

As with the A10, I think they should continue building the Pucara! Using up graded materials (fiber carbon), 3D printing, more powerful engines, improved avionics, sighting systems, heavier and smarter weapons, the updated Pucara will be an fearsome weapon platform. In fact I think the Americans should buy the rights to it, because they are researching a spotter, counter insurgence platform now.

[@etherospike3936]

Exactly my thoughts !

[@baronedipiemonte3990]

I'd love to have one, right along with the Embrarer A-29

[@v1n1c1u55anto5]

@@stankygeorge they are updating It to the Fênix version

[@SammySathya]

Our Sri Lankan Air Force used the Pucara during the Civil War against the Tamil Tigers. They were of invaluable service especially to the ground troops. Though I believe we lost 3 of the 4 aircraft operated by the SLAF. A friend of mine was lost in one after being hit by ground fire. Once the LTTE got their hands on shoulder fired SAMs the remaining Pucaras were quickly replaced by KFirs and F-7Bs. The Pucara was a massively underrated aircraft.

[@saml7610]

I'm sorry about your friend, I hope he is living well in his own after life. I lost a friend to an SA-2 in Iraq and I still think about him a lot. I know what it's like, it's not easy to forget. I hope you are doing alright these days my friend.

[@chase.7780]

Sorry to hear about your friend, may his soul rest peacefully. People here in the West really don’t learn much about the Sri Lankan civil war, despite it being one of the longest and most brutal wars in modern history. From what I’ve read, the LTTE were devilishly cunning and ruthless with their tactics, which makes Sri Lanka’s military growth from a small, underdeveloped military to a hardened modern force very admirable. It takes a lot of courage to go up against an enemy willing to use suicide bombers, landmines, and kamikaze pilots en masse. Respect from the US.

[@FirstDagger]

Always liked the clean nose shape of the Pucara.

[@LucioFercho]

Yeah, Kurt tank did a nice job with the Focke-Wulf 187... I mean, pucara... lol

[@FirstDagger]

@@LucioFercho ; By the time the Purcara was designed he was working in India.

[@LucioFercho]

@@FirstDagger He clearly sold them the Fw 187 blueprints at some point, that thing had its weapons in the exact same points as the Falke, same nose and fuselage.

[@FirstDagger]

@@LucioFercho ; Tail is different, engine position is different, gun placement is only superficially the same, one is a tail dragger the other a tricycle gear. There are decades between the aircraft. The only thing they have in common is that they are both twin engined aircraft and the nose is slightly similar. Finally the entire airfoil and aerodynamics are totally different, which is the main feature of an aircraft. You clearly need to study both designs more closely.

[@LucioFercho]

@@FirstDagger Lol, sure, sure.

[@joeschenk8400]

I always found the Pucara very interesting....it reminds me of the OV 1 Mohawk and the OV 10 Bronco. Thanks for posting.

[@LucioFercho]

warmed-over Fw 187 by Kurt Tank... guess where did he go after ww2?

[@Joshua_N-A]

@@LucioFercho he never design for NATO?

[@airstuffhd3832]

The Pucara was designed with the same intentions as the Bronco was (COIN). I would say it was a "competitor"

[@Tordogor]

To answer to the idiotic, ignorant trolls who are writing (insultingly) that the FMA IA-58 Pucará is based in German designs from WW2, I recomend to read: * Burzaco 'Las Alas de Perón' (1995) book4you.org/book/3047618/44be9e, which covers the role of German engineers in the FMA between 1947 to 1955. Books on the Pucará: *'The Pucará Story' book4you.org/book/2875213/43f602 * Cicalesi etal, 'FMA IA-58 Pucará' (Serie Fuerza Aèrea 18) There was a magnificent article in the Argentine magazine 'Hangar 18' (1999?) and of course Google and Wikipedia. Also, if there is some European influence on the Pucará's design is the Italian Pallavecino Ñancú heavy fighter of 1947 (see Burzaco).

[@bulukacarlos4751]

Greetings from Argentina: 1- It is Pucará (accent on the last syllable) 2- I agree, the timing was horrible for this plane. 3- The engines were also a weak point. They weren't as reliable as the rest of the plane 4- You failed to mention a version, the IA-66, with Garrett engines, intended for export and to explore other engines

[@GeraArg]

Excellent video. As an Argentine I must say that you do an incredible job, you even give secondary details such as the political situation and so on. :)

[@johnmunro4952]

The one thing that was never in doubt during the Falklands conflict, was the size of the Argentine pilot's cajones.

[@LucianoRicci182]

Much appreciated John! Funny remark, the word "cajones" means "drawers" I know you meant cojones hahaha. Cheers!

[@g-low6365]

@@LucianoRicci182 wel... you need big drawers to put those cojones

[@LucianoRicci182]

@@g-low6365 That's fair tho .. haha

[@TurokroIV]

Funny, I lived in a place in Argentina called "Munro."

[@LucianoRicci182]

@@TurokroIV what the hell you did in Munro? Lol

[@Revanavarice]

Interesting how the bodyplan is reminiscent of WWII heavy fighter and light bomber designs; ie this thing looks like a transplanted and updated Me-410.

[@LucioFercho]

Looks like an updated Me 410, of course, Argentina of course never had any relation with nazis... ...or Kurt tank, where did the Fw 187 have its weapons again? Yeah... argentine my ass. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXm5qH5sfcprg5Y

[@ironwolfF1]

@@LucioFercho I'm thinking it's resemblance to the Fw 187 was more than just an accident.

[@LucioFercho]

@@ironwolfF1 Yeah, its a warmed-over Falke.

[@COMPASS_MDP]

@@LucioFercho Are you chilean, maybe?

[@franciscosansalone]

@@LucioFercho by 1969 kurt tank had been in India for 14 year already

[@michaelalexander2306]

I remember when they were testing one at Boscombe Down, I was speaking to one of the hangar supervisors, who told me that it was a simple aeroplane that gave no trouble at all.

[@martinx1525]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@johnparrish9215]

If I had a choice of what aircraft I could have for a two seat sport plane, this one would work for me.

[@tallthinkev]

Not an OV-10? Lots of room in the boot

[@chonqmonk]

@@tallthinkev But the OV-10 looks like a flying Pontiac Aztec.

[@rickb1973]

@@tallthinkev Almost exactly what I was going to say!...Yep, I've always liked the Bronco.

[@wrightflyer7855]

@@rickb1973 The OV-10 pilots I spoke with say it's underpowered but highly maneuverable and fun to fly. In fact it's so agile I watched one turn final right over the end of the runway at NKP during the war. Cool stuff. Wright Flyer, USAF (1968-1972).

[@FallenPhoenix86]

@@wrightflyer7855 It was/is so underpowered that losing one engine pretty much means choosing the nicest crash site you can find. At the same time I wouldn't mind having one to play with, bassically a flying RV/SUV.

[@autopathos]

The Pucaras are/were of an excellent design and could have very well competed with OV-10 Broncos and a few other aeroplanes had they come in service slightly earlier (but the conditions of politics in Argentina and the way the yanks go about in selling their kit probably would have still made it difficult for the FMA plane). They were a great implementation of the Astazou and with MGs, cannons, rockets and bombs had tremendous firepower against insurgents (and their use during the Dirty War was probably extremely cruel and ridiculously asymmetrical). I'm Chilean and although I wasn't alive at the time and when both countries were under criminal right-wing military juntas, a war spook with Argentina in '78 (as mentioned in the video) who would not accept international arbitrations upholding the Chilean claim over some island in Tierra del Fuego (and more importantly, their sea projection that technically provided a mostly symbolic sort of sovereign Chilean waterway to the Atlantic) was hours away from turning into a very nasty war. It was avoided by bad weather hampering Argentina's FLOMAR operations at the original D-day and at the last minute by (officially at least) papal intervention brokered by the yanks. Argentina had at the time almost overwhelming numerical superiority and relative technological superiority that was most visible in the much superior capabilities of their airforce and, whilst the Chilean dictatorship had been hit by a US embargo (after carbomb-killing an opposition politician in exile and his American secretary in the middle of Washington, DC using former CIA assets and Miami-cuban henchmen) and even trade-union action in Britain, with Scottish Rolls-Royce workers refusing to work on Chilean Air Force Hunter engines, the Argentine junta had faced no such thing, even though they were kidnapping and killing tens of thousands, including foreigners, priests (that the current pope, then archbishop of Buenos Aires didn't do much about), stealing newborns to give them to approved (Junta-alligned) families and other assorted ugliness, with even the UK supplying them around that time with newly-built Type 42 destroyers and whatnot. The Chilean Air Force, although we like to believe they were good pilots, certainly now that they have good kit and fly quite a bit, had little real action other than having fired at the very Chilean seat of government and some antennae during the day of the 1973 coup d'etat, whilst the Argentine Airforce and Aeronaval had been firing on their own people, and at times their own forces, army and navy apart from insurgents for decades. The Chilean FACh was terribly ill-prepared to confront the FAA. Argentinian officials are on record saying the junta needed a "clean war" (as opposed to the dirty one) to save face under gross economic calamity and the recent world cup victory had them and the official press feeling drunk on chauvinism. Chile had managed to obtain 12 very capable at the time but short-legged F-5Es (still going strong) just prior to the yanks closing shop (hardly a coincidence) but the pilots were just familiarising with them and by sheer numbers the MIII and derivatives and even the 'hawks that are certainly no slouch would have made mincemeat out of them and the few Hunters capable of flight, agile and Shafrir missile-augmented as they were. With air superiority, these Pucarás along with MS.760, MB.326s and even Turbo Mentors would have wreak havoc on Chilean ground targets and Pinochet's planned "prolonged infantry war with guerilla-like tactics". As someone mentioned above, what the Argentinean pilots lacked in state-of-the-art tech, they overcame with courage, bravery, determination and a slight mix of madness and a deathwish that here in the Southern Cone we prefer to call "bolas" or "pelotas" rather than the more Mexican-sounding "cojones". What they did was giving quite a lot more than a black eye to the Former Empire, who had done an ill-fated attempt at Buenos Aires a hundred and some years prior. Going to war with the cold-war era UK military, even though it had recently lost Buck and Phantom-equipped Ark Royal and with that a huge amount of power proyection, was not a clever thing to do. Yes, the Pucará shot down a combatant target of opportunity that happened to be picking up casualties, but "Sharkey" Ward who shot one down (mentioned) lethally finished-off with ADEN fire on the stabs an Argentine Herc (TC-63) that he had already disabled with Sidewinder, was on fire and certainly going down. As an aviation enthusiast I've always admired the exploits of those Argentine pilots that, have things gone differently, would have done a great deal of damage to my countrymen and women. A not-so-secretive effort was run by the Pinochet regime with the Chilean Air Force's and navy southern radars, EW Petrels and supposedly providing corridors and even airstrips for RAF/RN transports and Nimrods to get back at the Argentines, whilst pretending to be neutral. It was a filthy, treacherous job but Galtieri and others hinted on-record that Chile was next, even when already aware of what was coming towards them. That also provided much needed MB ejection seats, hand-me-down Hunters and parts for the Shafrir-armed Jordanian-serviced older Hunters. I went on to study in the UK and bumped my head on the barrel of a Rheinmetall Rh202 AA dual-mount reading "Fuerza Aérea Argentina" in London's Imperial War Museum by clumsily rushing to it in excitement. Didn't manage to visit Pucarás on museum displays there. I also have very close friends in Rio Negro province, Southern Argentina where many of the brave pilots and service personnel hailed from, the father of one of my friends served onboard the POMA (WWII Vintage Colossus-Class light carrier ARA 25 de Mayo) shortly before the war and I have visited with respect the impressive Malvinas Memorial in neighbouring Neuquén Capital. I've seen the former FMA now FadeA IA-63 Pampa II and III jet trainers in flight and stationary display and the world-beating South American COIN champion (and excellent trainer) Embraer A-29 Super Tucano both in its country of origin Brazil and in service with the Chilean Air Force. Never managed to see Pucarás flying but here's hoping with the Fénix project. I hope to never have to see any war ever, much less in South America and between Chile and Argentina. Don't come for our shared fresh water reserves and resources in Patagonia. FAA might not have much of an air force right now but you'd be surprised at their ingenuity and what they'd be capable of doing with the humble Pampas. Chilean Armed Forces are decently equipped, train and exchange regularly with their Argentinean counterparts (who have been always there to help with massive wildfires, earthquakes with tsunamis just as the Chilean navy greatly helped during the terrible tragedy of submarine ARA San Juán).

[@gustavoantonelli]

It is a pleasure to read your post. Un abrazo argentino.

[@autopathos]

I care about and greatly respect Argentinian achievements and dread what could have been. Total nonsense, I'm currently in the WRC Chile and there's plenty of visiting Argentinian professionals and enthusiasts. It's a no brainer, we share so much. I appreciate you enjoying my massive wall of text, abrazos fraternos.

[@mackenzienowak6346]

Never heard of this aircraft until now. Have been an aircraft enthusiasts since a young boy. What an incredible and unique aircraft.

[@therealmp40]

For what it was, I belive the Pucara filled it's role pretty well, and even during the Falklands it managed to provide some much needed air support for ground troops that the overworked Skyhawks couldn't fit in their tight schedule. It's an aircraft that could have some commercial success if it were to be put on the market now, considering many nations are delegating the CAS role to prop aircraft when unable to afford more expensive jet pwoered counterparts like the A-10, Jaguar or Tornado. If the argentine miltary industry were to magically regain traction and favor by the government, a moderenized variant might actually make for good competition for alternatives like the Super Tucano, and it would prove an extremely valuable asset for the Argentine Air Force itself.

[@v1n1c1u55anto5]

They are doing exactly that, modernizing some old Pucara cells to the Fenix version, with Newer engines and shit. But cant understand much the argentines, things always apear to go wrong to them, and they are not building new cells, only modernizing, so i dont know if they receive an order they could built brand new Fênix or they would have just to refit some old ass Pucara cell.

[@therealmp40]

@@v1n1c1u55anto5 Building new ones might be hard, FAdeA is the only military aircraft building company in the country, and they are focusing on making Pampa trainers for both the air force and for export, so it would take a while to reorganize production for a different aircraft. The Fénix is probably just going to be a project intended for local use only, if they ever sell Pucará Fénix for export, they'll probably just as well make a more refined version with the new role and technology in mind.

[@MrLaizard]

@@v1n1c1u55anto5 Altough you are quite right in your appreciations bear in mind that the main feature of the overhaul will be the incredible electronics developed for the Pucara Fenix by INVAP, the state owned hi-tech consortium? they are working on a AESA-SAR radar for the plane

[@jkoysza1]

There was an opportunity in the early 1950s to push forward on the Kurt Tank designed jet fighter and derivative aircraft. This was squandered when the funding was diverted to social programs, never to be returned to technical development projects.

[@maxrpm2215]

Damn, looks like a modern day ME410.

[@LucioFercho]

Focke wulf 187

[@viper7502]

Was just gonna say that

[@LucioFercho]

@Tomas Flores Focke wulf 187 designed by Kurt Tank pre-ww2, warmed over in argentina.

[@LogieT2K]

Funny that

[@randompheidoleminor3011]

**argentine engineer with funny moustache shuffles nervously**

[@martentrudeau6948]

Kurt Tank spent some time in Argentina after WW2, his presence there would have been a positive boost for aeronautical engineering in Argentina. The FMA Purara is a great looking plane.

[@alanwoods2010]

While watching the video the Pucara reminded me somewhat of the Hs-129. Great video on an nice-looking aircraft

[@martentrudeau6948]

@@alanwoods2010 ~ The Henschel Hs 129 does look similar, if the Germans had decent engines to put in that plane, it would have been a problem allies.

[@LucioFercho]

warmed-over Fw 187 by Kurt Tank...

[@martentrudeau6948]

@@LucioFercho ~ The Luftwaffe screwed-up, they should have built Kurt's Focke Wulf Fw 187 Falke, instead of the Bf-110!!!

[@LucioFercho]

@@martentrudeau6948 Used to think that way,but I have made an 180º turn.. they should have made MORE Bf 110s, just used them as intended, interdiction and interception... the fat one went crazy trying to use a THREE-SEATER as a day fighter. Big no-no.

[@billdurham8477]

7:44 Pucaras feeding after a long day. he he he sorry.....Bill Gunston commented how Harrier pilots respected the Pucara's fighting ability.

[@lancerevell5979]

Probably the most successful indigenous aircraft of the Argentyne military.

[@bobstains1934]

I was at RAF Cosford museum a few years ago, taking turns with a gentleman to take photos of various aircraft when we came across the Pucara. "Looks a bit different to the last time I saw her," he said. "Why, have you been here before?" I asked. "No: I flew her back from the Falklands..."

[@DraftySatyr]

Think he was pulling your leg. The Pucara doesn't have the range to get from the Falkland Islands to Ascension Island, even in ferry configuration. And at that stage it would have been politically impossible to have done it in shorter legs up the eastern coast of Uruguay and Brazil prior to hopping over to Ascension. Additionally, it would have been crazy to have even attempted to do so in a captured aircraft about which you have little if any knowledge. Of course, he may have flown it at Boscombe Down when it was evaluated there.

[@diegoargibay2287]

@@DraftySatyr he said that, but take it as a british typical bully's comment that wants to insult the argentine and only accomplishes to prove his ignorance.

[@trooperdgb9722]

@@diegoargibay2287 Bully? Hmm..what do you call Argentina then for invading the Falklands...for domestic political gain?

[@daniellucena9694]

Some interesting spots are it could take off from not prepared runways,it could make a 180 degrees turn in only 50 metres,cheap maintenance,can fight helis,very good at hunting narco planes.Well done Ed!!A quite complete description!!Like!!

[@chpet1655]

I don’t really care if you give us forgotten or not at all forgotten aircraft. You always deliver an entertaining video and I always learn something even if I know a lot about the topic of the day.

[@johancoetzer2165]

I doodled things like these in high school in the seventies. Must have seen the Pucara in Janes All The Worlds Aircraft at the library that I visited weekly. My design had a single seat, bubble canopy, short, nose, low wing, engine nacelles inspired by the Beechcraft King Air, T-tail, tricycle gear. Machine in the nose, bombs under the fuselage and missiles under the wings.

[@1joshjosh1]

Not much different from me in the mid 90's. 👍

[@Zoydian]

Love the livery and nose art of the Uruguayan Pucará's. Reminds me a lot of the Warthog!

[@BamZoom]

Everything you do is interesting, in depth and complete. Please keep it coming

[@trob1731]

Kurt Tank did spend time in Argentina. Funny how the plane bears a resemblance to the Fw-187. Especially the wings and weapon layout.

[@daszieher]

The designer of the Pucara worked with Tank on earlier projects.

[@cgh1060]

I have seen several captured FMA Pucara close up and always loved these aircraft, coming from a brit like myself and as a lover of aviation there really was never any equivalent at the time for the design of these aircraft, they were unique. I recall one zipping overhead at low level from out of nowhere near RAF Woodvale. I can still remember the Tiger stripe camo scheme and counted the hardpoints before it disappeared below 100 ft.

[@worldcomicsreview354]

There's a really tiny museum around Cambridgeshire or Norfolk (if I remember rightly, it's about 8-10 planes in a field, around a hangar with 2-3 more inside), they have one.

[@NachotaDelan]

Saw the image of the raf capture Pucará flying and they said that the Pucará was very maneuverable for being a counter insurgency aircraft but useless against the sidewinders and other Air to Air weapons

[@drydogg]

I'm finally seeing this video. Great work, Sir, as usual. Thank you.

[@myplane150]

As a retired Commercial pilot and aviation enthusiast, the Pucara might just be my favorite twin engine aircraft as far as looks go.

[@SamithaSumedha]

my father was an aeronautical engineer in in Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) when these were online and was pounding the Tamil tiger terrorists.... there's a nickname for this pukara aircraft in SLAF.... the airmen called this little beast the "flying Armory" because it gave so much of Death Punch to the terrorists back then the only way they had any chance of getting rid of the pukaras was to smuggle in surface to air missiles and made these aircraft's obsolete because of the missiles that they brought in.... but still these are regarded as one of the best combat aircrafts that Sri Lankan Air Force ever had!!!

[@peterwalker3709]

Remember steaming in a boat off the Isle of Wight sometime in the mid 1980s probably. Heard aircraft engines I didn't recognised. Looked round and there was a Pucara flying west! Spot of the year!

[@Esteban-zo6fw]

It was never sell widely to others countries 'cause USA interference, the same happened with the TAM sales to Iraq, Iran and EUA. The Pucara was only saled to Sry Lanka, Colombia and Uruguay in very small numbers. Nice to see an abroad short film about it. Keep the good work, greetings from Argentina

[@XxBloggs]

it was never sold to other countries because there were many other similar designs available, Argentina did poorly at sales, it was an unreliable vendor and n o one wanted to deal with a fascist government.

[@fransoler5278]

@@XxBloggs the junta regime ended in '83, Pucara manufacturing ended in '99, just sayin'...

[@berserker6341]

Exactamente, aunque yo le agregaría las presiones británicas, la política interna de desmalvinización, la inestabilidad e inoperancia política y la realidad de que había y hay otras ofertas en el mercado. Los que apreciamos mucho a este avión tendemos a centrarnos en un solo punto cuando me parece que son muchos los factores que frenaron este y muchos otros proyectos que han quedado en prototipos.

[@Esteban-zo6fw]

​@@berserker6341 Obviamente la inoperancia también sumó en todas esas operaciones y lamentablemente se reflejó en los manejos de las presiones externas

[@Tordogor]

In the Hispano-American CoIn market of the 1970s the US sold a lot of cheap A-37 Deagonfly surplus from the Vietnam War, plus some Broncos to Venezuela. This was supposed to be the main market for the Pucará Having fighter pilots as Aero/Weapons manufacturing, State-run comoanies instead of real engineers and MBAs does not help very much!

[@49mrbassman]

Beautiful, elegant design. Love it

[@CXWTFKR]

Buen video! Les comento a los coleccionistas de aviones que la Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya tiene aún los Pucara radiados de servicio en 2017, están a la intemperie a la espera de lo que van a hacer con ellos. Uno el FAU 224 está en el museo aeronáutico. Otro hecho con partes de los ejemplares colombianos está de guardian gate a la entrada de la Base Aérea N1. Es probable que sean rematados en poco tiempo.

[@Retroscoop]

Somewhere halfway the Bronco and the A 10, something like that ? Looks like a cleancut machine, I hope many will survive in museums and withing air enthousiasts groups around the world.

[@LucioFercho]

Yeah, its a warmed-over Falke. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXm5qH5sfcprg5Y ...and Kurt Tank ended up in argentina so... argentine my ass.

[@kutter_ttl6786]

I'd say less halfway between the two and more a direct competitor to the OV-10. It's warload was superior (by about 160kg/370lbs) but many of its other specs were comparable between the two.

[@casinodelonge]

had the same thought.

[@LucioFercho]

Only for people that have no knowledge of Kurt Tank and the Fw 187... OV 10? YEAH RIGHT! LOL!!!

[@oldmech619]

This would be a good fix wing plane for the US Army. Great for close in support. If the air force shuts down the A10

[@petesheppard1709]

The Pucara definitely fits the 'what if' niche. It could well be that politics crippled sales effort, with Argentina seen as something of a pariah due to its internal problems.

[@Joshua_N-A]

Due to its government that time, no government would want tarnish their administration on world stage.

[@petesheppard1709]

@@Joshua_N-A Exactly.

[@MrLaizard]

@@Joshua_N-A Well it was required and sold to Sri Lanka, Colombia and Uruguay, but the Junta cunts had no idea of commercial operation, support and all those things needed to produce a market hit

[@Tordogor]

@@MrLaizard There was interest in it from Mauritania (some Malvinas/Falklands FAA planes were in Mauritanian color scheme), Nigeria and Hussein's Irak, as a CoIn plane. Some of the deals failed because to funding issues, others to politics.

[@anuvisraa5786]

@@Joshua_N-A on the contrary the main problem for the Pucara in the 80 was that the new democratic government did not want to take the precision of selling the planes to nations that had weapons embargoes like Sri Lanka and Iran or Iraq

[@alenatale5935]

Now a days in FAdeA (Argentinean Aircraft Factory) the IA 58 Pucará has a program to modernize these aircrafts. That include changing their motors and cockipts. Before, the Pucara had Alztou motors from France but, now the IA 58 Pucará Fénix program 's has input the Pratt & Weine Canada PT 6 to the airrcraft. These aircrafts motors are more economics than the french ones.

[@ernstschloss8794]

Astazou. Abrazo!

[@user-pz9ct8zi3d]

Glad Duxford saw the worthiness to restore this and for the upload.

[@erolbrown]

Cracking insight in these vids. Love em.

[@adriansuarez5066]

Es una máquina excelente que cumplió con creces la tarea para la cual fué creado hace muchos años y aún hoy en día sigue volando. Saludos desde Argentina 🇦🇷

[@HorribleHarry]

Thank you for introducing us to all these fascinating aircraft!

[@EdNashsMilitaryMatters]

My pleasure.

[@hangie65]

Excellent, informative and very well put together video on the Pucara. Videos like this one is why I had no seconds thoughts about subscribing to your channel. Thanks.

[@trooperdgb9722]

A story* went round of an SAS trooper attending a course in the US... a young instructor was running some training on the Stinger...which was then still quite new. He asked the class if anyone knew anything about it and the SAS guy said "Yep...Ive fired one" This was quite a shock to the Instructor (who had probably never live fired one himself) he asked how and why... and the answer was "In the Falklands, I shot down an Argie with it".... *as always we must never doubt a good story...lol

[@afre3398]

As part shooting down a Pucará with a Stinger. I think the story is true. I have seen a interview with a SAS trooper telling the same story

[@Foxtrop13]

instructor: class this is an MK82 bomb made for destroying airfields and infrastructures, anyone know anything about this? argentine pilot: yes I have, I sunk a £37,900,000 british destroyer with it

[@michaelguerin56]

@@Foxtrop13 After the BBC showed the Argentine Air Force some excellent video of how they were doing it wrongly.

[@Foxtrop13]

@@michaelguerin56 the airforce always knew the fuses were not adecuated, but thats what they got, a faster fuse could explode while the plane was still on the radius of explosion

[@therealmp40]

@@michaelguerin56 They didn't use ineffective fuses because they wanted to, you know

[@dr.argentina]

I was quite honored watching this video, thank you :>

[@keithpennock]

Thank you for covering this. As an American who is very much a military aircraft enthusiast (as a U.S. Air Force brat who grew up on Strategic Air Command bases) I was unfamiliar with this aircraft.

[@EdNashsMilitaryMatters]

Have a look around the channel, have a few oddities on here ;)

[@abrahamacosta5920]

One of my two favorite planes… Pucara and Super Tucano!

[@threestars7561]

>if you're British or Argentine Most aviation enthusiasts the world over have heard of the Pucara.

[@bananabeans5046]

I think he said becasuse there us where is best remember (specially in argentina since it was made there)

[@aregularperson7573]

I was waiting for a video on this aircraft to come around

[@Phoenix-xn3sf]

Now I'm no pilot, but some aircraft just look the business. Like many of his COIN brethren this one looks like it's a joy to fly; the Harrier v. Pucara duel must've been a proper oldschool dogfight challenge for both pilots - a subsonic gunbattle, shame they were on opposing sides.

[@georgebarnes8163]

the two aircraft never had any dogfights.

[@therealmp40]

@@georgebarnes8163 they did per se, just very one sided. I've read memoirs from a collection made by argentine pilots, there was a case of a flight of 3 Pucaras getting intercepted by 2 Harriers, one got shot down almost instantly but the other one managed to stay behind one of the Harrier's tail, of course he got shot down by his wingman.

[@rodrigobeltran4795]

Idk if we can call It a dogfight, but it was one harrier trying to shot down one Pucara, the pucara was manoeuvring to avoid the fighter. (And from testimonies I think he did well)

[@Tigershark_3082]

The Harrier wasn't exactly maneuverable, though

[@BruhMoment-re8nc]

@@Tigershark_3082 lmao dont gotta be that maneuverable when you got sidewinders though

[@ahafeel]

I'm from Sri Lanka.. There was a bit of controversy as the pucara was chosen over the Embraer tucano. Nevertheless it did see use during the 90's. Later on the ground attack roles were taken over by the Kfir and the Mig 27.

[@berserker6341]

Political reasons maybe. In that time they both rivals, in the field and the market. But FMA or argentine politicians didnt take it seriously as the brazilian did with Embraer.

[@ahafeel]

@@berserker6341 If I remember correctly, one of the cons against the pucara was that it was out of production by that time... not to say that the SL air force has a whole lot of "in production" air frames in its flying inventory!

[@Tigershark_3082]

Doesn't Sri Lanka use the Kfir C.10, or is it one of the previous models?

[@djyppo]

Nice Video! tho as a Brazilian I have to say this. The A-29 "Super Tucano" (EMB-314) is a dedicated COIN/advanced trainer from it's conception, the plane you are thinking when you said it's a converted trainer is the T-27 "Tucano" (EMB-312)

[@moosifer3321]

A pretty and (potentianly) dangerous aircraft -cheers Harriers & co!

[@philiphughes6214]

Could we please have a video about the Armed Jet Provost and Strikemaster which took part in many actions.

[@EdNashsMilitaryMatters]

Funnily enough I was contemplating that the other day. I get around to it at some point.

[@frankgaletzka8477]

Yes it is the improved Version of the Focke Wulf 181 by Kurt Tank Thank you for the Video

[@guilledione1848]

Also the OV 10 Bronco and the A37 Dragonfly were quite important competitors. Today, a single engine COIN turboprop aircraft such as the Super Tucano or Texan could also operate at the same weapons ordinance weight and even higher top speed and lower cost maintenance. But having an engine is risky because it is possible to lose the plane in the event of fire from machine guns and anti-aircraft guns. And these planes, despite carrying laser-guided bombs, will be met with gunfire in case of rocket launch missions or silly bomb drop missions. There are some videos of Afghan Super Tucanos practicing. In the case of the Pucará Fénix, well, perhaps it is good that the former FMA (now FAdeA) have a project to work on, they will use the existing airframes of the Pucará and involve Argentine companies in the development of the observation pod. All subject to the approval of the financing from the Argentine government. But what if Texan or Beechcraft develop an observer version of their training aircraft? Will they have a more affordable plane? Again it is a question of: is it better suited to a single or twin engine aircraft? Just to add information about the problems of the Pucará in the Malvinas war: the two landing strips selected to disperse the Pucarás over the islands were also not suitable for air operations there. The ground was very muddy and prevented the Pucarás from taking off many times and some of them with the nose landing gear broken as a result.

[@jsfbr]

(1)'Minor revision, "Pucara" is pronounced stressing the last "a", "pucaRA". (2) Good documentary about a beautiful airplane. Thanks! (3) A jet propelled version was considered, but never went beyond concept and proposal.

[@letsseeif]

Thanks for your interesting video. Keep them coming. thanks again.

[@anderssvensk4317]

Nice design, very innovative and useful aircraft. 👍

[@Eugensdiet]

Nice looking plane and from the standpoint of a modeler a great subject not for it's looks but the varied color schemes. It is on my build bucket list.

[@fernandogarcia-wq1qm]

en ali expres hay modelos IA_58 , gracias

[@mikeholland1031]

Neat plane. Never seen one before. Kinda reminds me a bit of the bronco without the double tail booms

[@patopato9668]

9:50 Wrong Sr., all attack capabilitys remain, even internal guns. 10:30 The FAA didnt "creat", just change the call of a plane (matricula), from A to X, cos its became an experimental plane, have to test the possibility of launch a tropedo that was being put out of service from the navy. The test show a too risky attack run, too low speed to avoid the torpedo didnt break hitting the water, and like even today 2022, the air force didnt have jurisdiction on attacking ships, by law is a matter for the navy. 10:50 The B was in the 70s, but the DEFA put some smoke into the cockpit and too much recoil, the structure have to be reinforced. Also was offered with Garret engines.

[@1joshjosh1]

This was one of my favorite aircraft when I was a kid in the mid 1980's

[@NesconProductions]

The Pucará reminds me a lot of the OV-10 Bronco another stellar COIN aircraft (& another aircraft that would be very useful today with modern engines & electronics).

[@hadleymanmusic]

Ive always been weary of complex aircraft but I like how this looks and Id be willing to learn this.

[@pablopeter3564]

The choice in the close air support mission and two turboprop engine class, the OV-10D Bronco and the Pucará would be excellent candidates both.

[@Justanotherconsumer]

Would love to see a video on the Pulqui I and Pulqui II. The first one is a forgettable flop, the second a fascinating slice of history.

[@brendonbewersdorf986]

This is one of my favorite modern planes such a cool and unique aircraft

[@maxschon7709]

In the early 1990ies Austria Airforce wanted some Training Propeller plane. The purchase of 3 planes was in mind and Austrian pilotes were send to Argentina for training but on the end nothing came out of it. In the Mountains a propellered aircraft is more flexible and Austria has a lot of small airfields for sport planes which could used for that too.

[@Rich77UK]

That fenec update looks ace.

[@Pato-ARG]

now we are upgrading the pucara , the new one is the pucara fenix,new engines ,new avionics etc,a beautiful plane

[@sapiotone]

10:44 Fortunately for the pilots, indeed "Argh! Sea Harrier!" ~Pucarás-up I seem to remember one sat outside the Fleet Air Arm museum at RNAS Yeovilton back in the late 80s/early 90s. The undercarriage really is tall. I mean, REALLY tall. It puzzled me as kid, but makes sense now I've watched this. Great vid, Ed!

[@ivanahumpalot7346]

the latest D model has a future, one smart looking machine. turbo props with low fuel consumption STAL features, list goes on and on.

[@samyfay7786]

I think the Pucará is among the most awesome looking ACs in the world. Like the B1 Lancer, Concorde, and Rafale. To name a few.

[@carlinpole]

I haved talked with a friend of mine, pilot of the Fuerza Aerea Argentina in 1982 Fenix Scuadron, the idea was to replace the doble cockpit for just one pilot and extend the fuel tank in order to get the islands and atack with 40 Pucaras the Estrecho de San Carlos. The Brigadier stoped it until the end of war.

[@luke4585]

There's a captured Pucara on display at the North East Land, Sea and Air museum, struggle to get a sense of just how large and especially tall these are until you stand next to it

[@Coyote27981]

That landing gear is huge, good for landing in strips that you wouldnt consider fit to land airplanes. And as tall as it is, when looking at it head on, its SO narrow. When looked from the side the shape reminds me of a scorpion, bulky and low at the front, and tall narrow at the tail.

[@couchfighter]

one of my favorite Modern day mosquito!

[@alecblunden8615]

Only slower and less powerfully armed than the original , consequently much less effective.

[@therealmp40]

@@alecblunden8615 Only in terms of internal armaments, in terms of ground attack it is far more capable, nothing wrong with that since it's a more modern aircraft

[@dr.argentina]

lol

[@alecblunden8615]

@@therealmp40 I understand the Pucaro's maximum weapon load was 3,570 lbs, seldom carried in practise. Late mk Mosquitos regularly carried 4000 lb loads to central Europe. Face the truth. Pucaro was in a very different and much more pedestrian league.

[@alganhar1]

@@therealmp40 Really? Mosquito variants came in so many types its difficult to list them all. There were dedicated Fighter and Night Fighter variants, torpedo bomber variants, light bomber variants, ground attack variants, photo recon, hell, there was even one called the Tse tse fitted with an autofiring 6 pounder for anti shipping work!

[@mikepette4422]

It was a little early in the timeline to be a bigger success. As many of us today will know that the world's militaries are looking for that whole low cost , long loiter time, COIN aircraft for ground support purposes. I guess the most famous current examples is the Brazilian Super Tucano or the US OV-10 Bronco ( which has been reacquired for testing and training I believe ). Had this been around today it might have been making a bigger splash with an updated version.

[@ThroneOfBhaal]

Damn the new version for surveillance looks awesome!

[@garynew9637]

Great looking airframe

[@dragonstormdipro1013]

Can you make a video on Folland Gnat?

[@CaptainLumpyDog]

Such a cool plane!

[@milosstefanovic7687]

The second I saw this plane I was reminded of the Ta-154 and Focke-Wulf 187. Considering it's Argentine and Kurt Tank did move to Argentina after WW2 its probably not a coincidence. Love the look though!

[@MiKeMiDNiTe-77]

What a great and unique plane there's so many uses that this plane could be useful for

[@prillewitz]

It’s a beauty!

[@Siddich]

I love that plane...it looks sooo nice

[@LucioFercho]

Yeah, the Fw 187 was a pretty plane

[@Siddich]

@@LucioFercho you mean Ta 154?

[@LucioFercho]

@@Siddich Nope: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXm5qH5sfcprg5Y

[@Siddich]

@@LucioFercho i mean there were several german concepts, that looked kind of similar to the pucara

[@Tordogor]

To answer to the idiotic, ignorant trolls who are writing (insultingly) that the FMA IA-58 Pucará is based in German designs from WW2, I recomend to read: * Burzaco 'Las Alas de Perón' (1995) book4you.org/book/3047618/44be9e, which covers the role of German engineers in the FMA between 1947 to 1955. Books on the Pucará: *'The Pucará Story' book4you.org/book/2875213/43f602 * Cicalesi etal, 'FMA IA-58 Pucará' (Serie Fuerza Aèrea 18) There was a magnificent article in the Argentine magazine 'Hangar 18' (1999?) and of course Google and Wikipedia. Also, if there is some European influence on the Pucará's design is the Italian Pallavecino Ñancú heavy fighter of 1947 (see Burzaco).

[@lea-lj8jl]

You should do the Huanquero, who’s its spiritual predecessor and where the pucara kinda got a few things. (Calquin or DL trainer could also be interesting topics)

[@gbweber]

We also remember it in Uruguay

[@geordiedog1749]

I worked on a ward where the consultant and the senior nurse where from the opposite sides of the Argentine political spectrum. It was a bit tense sometimes.

[@timgosling3076]

Worth pointing out that for the Sea Harrier 20 of those 30mm shells represent a total of 0.5 seconds on the trigger😊

[@johnladuke6475]

Pilot was still impressed that he had to twitch his finger twice to get the job done.

[@ernstschloss8794]

By Ward's own remarks, He got it real hard to target the slow-moving, very manouverable and low flying aircraft, and He had to make 3 passes to shoot it down, and STILL Tomba refused to eject right until its 2 engines were on fire. They became friends after the war.

[@Tigershark_3082]

@@ernstschloss8794 That's strangely heartwarming to me, that both pilots became friends

[@worldcomicsreview354]

@@Tigershark_3082 There was a documentary around the 30th anniversary in 2012, a British soldier found a camera and got the photos developed, 30 years later he met the soldier they belonged to back on the Falklands.

[@travelbugse2829]

Very informative video - many thanks. IMO it was one of those "if it looks right it will fly right" aircraft. The strange thing for me is that the wings are high aspect ratio, which might mean, if they are also designed with high lift, it would do well at high altitude. That is, if the power plants were up to that. Just thinking...

[@ilgatorengo]

Hello. Great video. I read that a British lad bought one with the intention of restoring and present it in air shows. It was left in the isles and brought to the US apparently

[@fatdad64able]

Wings remjnd me of Heinkel He 219. The entire plane however reminds me of OV1 Bronco.

[@Solsys2007]

Well spotted. I also thought about the Messerschmitt Me410 Hornisse, because of the shape of the canopy.

[@alanwoods2010]

I made the same comment before I saw yours. Glad to know I'm not the only one who thought that.

[@LucioFercho]

warmed-over Fw 187 by Kurt Tank... guess where did he go after ww2?

[@Tordogor]

To answer to the idiotic, ignorant trolls who are writing (insultingly) that the FMA IA-58 Pucará is based in German designs from WW2, I recomend to read: * Burzaco 'Las Alas de Perón' (1995) book4you.org/book/3047618/44be9e, which covers the role of German engineers in the FMA between 1947 to 1955. Books on the Pucará: *'The Pucará Story' book4you.org/book/2875213/43f602 * Cicalesi etal, 'FMA IA-58 Pucará' (Serie Fuerza Aèrea 18) There was a magnificent article in the Argentine magazine 'Hangar 18' (1999?) and of course Google and Wikipedia. Also, if there is some European influence on the Pucará's design is the Italian Pallavecino Ñancú heavy fighter of 1947 (see Burzaco).

[@lotharvonrichthofen4474]

Great Program on an aircraft I always liked the look of…was able to see one when visiting UK several years back Please produce something on Cessna 337 and/or Canberra used by Rhodesian AF

[@EdNashsMilitaryMatters]

Yes, something on the Rhodesian air force would be interesting, be toying with the idea for a bit. Have to see if anything comes of it ;)

[@Mouxbar]

Tremendously elegant aircraft. Maybe one will turn up on the airshow circuit one day.

[@mycroft1905]

Very interesting aircraft. Very informative presentation. Thank you very much.

[@misterbig9025]

Very suitable for Philippines Air Force!

[@notreallydavid]

Another great video. Say 'PucaRAH' - the final a is accented.

[@bigblue6917]

There has been talk, on and off, of bringing back the OV-10 Bronco for COIN use. Got to be better then using the A-10 for COIN which is like using a Rolls-Royce for pizza delivery. Great aircraft though it is the A-10 it's wasted on COIN missions.

[@Retroscoop]

I rather see the A 10 as a tank or even bunker buster than one to blow up tents with insurgants somewhere in the jungle. Especially when they use munition with low radioactivity to penetrate efficiently thick metal.

[@GVBiggs524]

This is an attractive looking little aircraft, I wouldn't mind having one myself.

[@theprojectproject01]

You couldn't take a mob of friends... But then, you also couldn't take a mob of friends!!

[@jackmehoff1840]

FMA for some time had their fighters designed by Focke Wulf's Kurt Tank (the FMA IAe 33 Pulqui II comes to mind)

[@vinniemoreno704]

Great video on a great plane.