1/72 Academy Super Etendard

Falklands/Malvinas War

by Guillermo Alfaro

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Ok, here's my first contribution to ARC; an Argentinean SUE, that fought on Falkland (Malvinas) on 1982 conflict.

History: The model represented here it's  the 3-A-204 from "2do Escuadron. Aeronaval Caza"  that sink the British Cargo Ship MV Atlantic Conveyor on 25th May, 1982 by  "Capitan de Corbeta Oberto Curilovic", callsign "Tito",  his wingman "Teniente de Navio Julio Barraza"  call sign "Leo"  flying SUE 3-A-203 ,   mission callsign "MINA",

Both planes depart from "Rio Grande" air base at 14:34 hrs,  heading NE,  they refuel at 15:45 hrs a   KC-130H   call sign "Berlin", then heading East flying at 8 or 10 meters  over  the  sea , were they found the target exactly where the radars had predicted (58º 38' South, 56º 8' West ) and fire at 16: 31  hrs.   

"According to British sources, the Exocets hit the cargo ship MV Atlantic Conveyor at 16:36 hrs and the ship caught fire and sank in a couple of hours. It was the greatest logistic loss suffered by the British Task Force 317, because the Atlantic Conveyor was carrying tents for 5,000 men, at least ten helicopters (three Chinooks HC.1 of the 18th Sqdn. RAF, six Wessexs HU.5 of the 848th Sqdn. RN, and one Lynx HAS.2 of the 815th Squadron RN), spare engines and pieces for the Harriers, a plant to make sea water drinkable, and the materials to build a mobile runway for the Sea Harriers"  taken from  http://britains-smallwars.com/Falklands/Exocet.html

The Kit: Academy kit it's detailed, with engraved panel lines,  but Heller has better detail between the front landing gear and air brakes. I had some fit problems on the rear fuselage, both side fit very bad, so I had to use a lot of putty, when sanding some details where erased, so I rescribe this detail..

Decals:  Condor Decals from Argentina and Academy It's important to mention that the decals from Condor Decals are impressive for the detail, but they are to thick, so I use "3-A-204" and "ARMADA" decal from Academy and the rest from Condor Decals.  http://www.condordecals.com.ar  

Photos by Guillermo Alfaro, unless it's specified

The Academy kit includes 2 pylons for the fuel tank and Exocet, but doesn't include the correct pylon to launch the Exocet so I made it with Styrene, I use the photos 13,14, 15, 16 below, that kindly Fabian Vera sent for reference.  Also I perforated the rear of the missile and insert 2 tiny copper tubes to better simulate the exhaust.
Photo by Sergio Contreras.

 

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Detailing the landing gear with photo etch.

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Note that I detailed the refueling probe using an optional part from an Academy sprue and refueling cap from photo etched.

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Painting:

The paint job was finished using Aztek airbrush, and Humbrol and ModelMaster enamel paints. I've used the following colors:

  • Humbrol 125 Satin US Dark Grey
  • Humbrol 47 Sea Blue
  • Model Master FS:37875 Matt White
  • Model Master FS:37038 Black
  • Model Master FS:33531 Yellow
  • Model Master FS:36440 Lt Gull Grey

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Follow photos taken on the quarterly contest at "ESCALA", Guatemalan Plastic Models Association, on September 25, 2004 . 

Photos  by  Fernando Azurdia . 

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Reference photos by Fabian Vera, from Condor Decals  fabianvera@condordecals.com.ar and  http://www.modelersite.com

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 See you again,  (I'll be back with  P-3C Orion  in 1/144)
Guillermo
 

Photos and text © by Guillermo Alfaro