Argentine Navy Harrier GR.1 (AR), Airfix, 1:72

[Tomek22]

For April, 2. 2022, the 40. years anniversary of the Falklands War, I built this 1:72 "What if" Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.1 in Argentine colours.

End of the 1960s Hawker Siddeley made a huge promotion tour through the world with their new Harrier GR.1.

Several countries were interested in this plane. Also Argentinia.

The argentine Navy was interested to buy up to 12 GR.1 in 1971/72.

But the deal could not be closed, because problems with the engines and

Hawker Siddeley had to deliver the Royal Air Force first.

So the Argentines purchased A-4 P/Q Skyhawks.

Later, only six months before the Falklands War, UK offered Argentina a new carrier and Sea Harriers.

This is, not out of the question, a very "real" "what if".

What if the Argentines have had Harriers, or Sea Harriers in the Falklands? An exciting question.

[jopres57]

That's a good looking replica Tomek22, and an interesting 'what if'. I think if the Argentine had Harriers they could have been a problem in the air to air role, but the British pilots would probably have been superior. Its more likely that they would used for ground attack, in which case they would have been worse than Skyhawks, having less range and a smaller weapons load. If they had been based on the islands themselves they would have been very vulnerable, the SAS observation teams would have given them nowhere to hide. I think one thing is for sure though, the Argentinians wouldn't have been foolish enough to retire their remaining aircraft as soon as the RN and RAF did if they were serviceable.

[Tomek22]

Thank you, jopres57 blush