Falklands 30

[Ordie]

Nimrod - 38.6m long/35.001m span (wg. area 197.05m2)/9.45m height - max speed 575mph (925kmh)

P-3c - 35.5m long/30.4m span/10.3m height - max speed 466mph (745 kmh)

As for performance, I don't think there is much doubt which is the faster/more agile aircraft. I've flown in the Nimrod (MR.1/MR.2) at low level and it's performance/agility is awesome. The new MRA.4 has similar performance and a slightly longer wingspan at 38.71m (wing area 235.8m2 - i.e. much bigger).

I was a USNR P-3C Crewman (Ordnance) for 5 years.

Much of ASW/MP operations has much to do with a combination agility and endurance depending theater of operations. The P-3 and Nimrod are good platforms based on commercial aircraft designs. In the Pacific (3rd & 7th Fleet) we often flew several hours before we reach to our station in the middle of the Pacific. One time we flew on a training mission from NAS Moffett to within eyesight of the Hawaiian Island and return to base within 14 hours. (Lots of dead time playing poker at the aft galley or working on your masters degree).

However flying out of RAF Machrihanish (Scotland) was all together different. Within minutes of taking off we were on station at the North Sea and dodging "bad guys", listening to NATO uncomprehensible jibberish on radio, and bad weather. I've earned my per dieum check on that training flight.

The RAF crew were impresed with the simplicity of the P-3. And the RAF maintenece crew envied how we shared parts and ordnance with the Dutch and Norwegians. At that time there was serious consideration for the RAF to purchase the P-7 (P-3 on Steroids).

As far as AIM-9 missiles in P-3, its a crap shoot. All Orion crews know thier life expectancy in air to air combat is nil. I prefer additional chaff.

The major difference between the Exocet and the Harpoon is its powerplant. The Exocet is solid fuel. The Harpoon is powered by a mini-jet turbine engine.

[DeltaWhisky58]

I've just received a very useful book in the post today - yes, I can hear you all ... ... ... "not another one?"

The Falklands War - A Day To Day Account

ISBN-13: 978-0462099095

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com

This is, in effect, a condensed version of the well known Marshall Cavendish part-work issued soon after the 1982 conflict, but without most of the colour illustrations. What results is a concise day by day account listing in chronological order all the significant events from the invasion on 2nd April until the homecomings of June-July-August of 1982.

Cheap and cheerful at only £6.59 (approx $US 12.95)

already on the list posted above.

[Switek]

time for the next pix

Royal Marines waiting on the flight deck of HMS Hermes for Sea King helicopters to take them on training manoeuvres, April 1982.

The men of 40 Royal Marine Commando A company training on board HMS Hermes on their way to the Falklands Islands following the Argentinian invasion, April 1982.

Waiting to be lifted by a Westland Sea King helicopter, Royal Marines from 40 Commando crouch on the flight deck of HMS Hermes, which heads the naval task force bound for the Falkland Islands.

A Sea King helicopter hovering above HMS Hermes to airlift ammunition for redistribution to other ships in the convoy, April 1982.

Staff on board HMS Hermes sunbathing on the flight deck as the naval task force heads for the Falkland Islands following the Argentinian invastion, April 1982.

A Sea Harrier jump jet on the flight deck of HMS Hermes heading to the Falklands after the Argentinian invasion of the islands, April 1982. A Sea King helicopter hovers in the background.

18th April 1982: Kenneth 'Rocky' Hudson, a Petty Officer from Gosport aboard HMS Hermes, the flagship of the Royal Navy, heading for the Falkland Islands. The troops are waging a Mexican moustache growing contest and Kenneth is wearing 30mm cannon shells slung around his body and sporting a fat cigar.

Realism of those pix is so moving. They could be made just yesterday...

[intikam]

has any one got a pic externally gun pod of harriers?

[jimmytx3]

it wasnt all fun,

[jimmytx3]

3 para port san carlos

[jimmytx3]

going ashore into the unknown...

[jimmytx3]

airborne all the way..

[Switek]

Nice pix released by Royal Navy

[curlyboy]

A bit of good news is that the Bravo November chinook has been flagged for preservation by the RAF museum but it wont be for a few years yet as she is currently in Afghanistan.

curlyboy

[Adam Wilhelm]

Snip.

Hydro, maybe you can recognize your dad on the photos or he can spot a mate?

[Switek]

Propaganda materials...

...

2, Island of the Condemned

A leaflet not mentioned in the newspaper article is entitled "Island of the Condemned". The front depicts the Falkland Islands surrounded by barbed wire and warships, Harrier jets and helicopters. The image clearly shows that the Argentinean soldiers are trapped and there will be no relief. The leaflet is coded "2."

The back all text and reads:

SOLDIERS OF THE ARGENTINE FORCES:

You are completely alone. There is no hope of relief or help from your motherland. You are condemned to the sad fate of defending a remote island. Soon there will fall upon you all the rigors of a cruel and merciless winter and the Argentine Navy is in no any condition to supply you with the reinforcements or provisions that you so desperately need. Your families live with the terrible fear of never seeing you again. You well know that all of this is the honest truth.

WHAT ARE THE REASONS THAT YOU FIND YOURSELVES IN SUCH A CALAMITOUS SITUATION?

Those responsible are the egotists who have named themselves the leaders of Argentina without taking into consideration the wishes of the Argentine people, and who have sent you on a ridiculous adventure, knowing there is no hope of any kind for an end to it. Now, these same leaders look for a way to disguise their stupid incompetence.

SOLDIERS! YOU HAVE DONE ALL YOUR COUNTRY CAN ASK OF YOU!

ONLY THE GENERALS STILL ASK FOR MORE.

IT IS NOT FAIR THAT YOU SHOULD FORFEIT YOUR LIVES TO FULFILL THE AMBITIONS OF THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS CRAZY ADVENTURE THAT THE WHOLE WORLD SEES AS WRONG.

...

5, South Atlantic Radio

The Front of this leaflet is all text:

SOUTH ATLANTIC RADIO

Notice to the inhabitants of the Falkland Islands

I have the great pleasure of announcing to you
a new radio station.

South Atlantic Radio will transmit news daily
from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on a frequency of 9.71 MHz.

This broadcast will operate like an additional station
to the LRA National Radio of the Falklands.

The back of the leaflet bears the code "5" and the text:

From 8:00 to 11:00 p.m.

R. A. S. (inside a lightning bolt)

9.71 MHz frequency.

The attack is against the Argentine people

The first leaflet depicts the islands and a text in regard to the British fleet:

The attack is against the Argentine people. To organize resistance is our duty.
They gave their lives for the Malvinas Islands.

Captain PEDRO GIACHINO
Corporal PATRICIO HUANACS
Soldier MANUEL ALMONACID
Soldier JORGE AGUILA

The second leaflet depicts the Islands and the text:

We don't want to win more. We want to defend what is ours. We trust our armed forces.

At first glance this second message doesn't seem to make sense, but I believe that what they are saying is:

We do not have aggressive aims on any further lands, and we just want to defend our islands.

The above 1982 leaflet shows American President Ronald Reagan wrapped in a Union Jack and squatting on a toilet marked "TIAR." The letters stand for Tratado Interamericano de Asistencia Recmproca, "the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance." This treaty's central principle is that an attack against one is to be considered an attack against them all; sometimes called the "hemispheric defense" doctrine. Argentina believed that the United States abrogated the treaty when it fueled and armed the British navy.

…And Argentina has…Pss, pss, pss. This Argentine patriotic leaflet depicts Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher conspiring. Reagan is in his cowboy outfit and Thatcher is handing him a handful of money. In return, Reagan tells Thatcher Argentine military secrets and intelligence gathered by an American spy satellite depicted overhead to help her win her war. Reagan whispers in her ear: …And Argentina has…Pss, pss, pss. Another interesting Argentine leaflet depicts a Royal Navy ship sailing toward the Falkland Islands with four troops at attention.

The text is:

To the Falklands

When turned upside down, the leaflet depicts the same ship, now covered with bullet holes and patches and with the figure of death and four coffins. The text is:

On return to the Falklands

Alexander Haig - The Ugly American

Another interesting Argentine propaganda leaflet depicts President Ronald Reagan's Secretary of State General Alexander Haig, on top of a pack of Chesterfield cigarettes.

The text is a parody on Chesterfield's claim of being the best selling cigarette:

The Best Selling American

The propaganda message in this leaflet is very clever. The use of "vendido" can imply a corrupt person who could be bought and easily bribed to break a commitment. It has the feeling of "The most easily bought American." A clear reference to Haig siding with Britain rather than Argentina.

At the same time, it is a reference to a very famous late 1960's song by the Argentine singer Piero, entitled Los Americanos. This sarcastic song ridicules all the foibles of the offensive Americans who live in South America and dress too garishly, talk too loud, treat their own minorities poorly, and generally look down on the local populace. I was informed that Argentines would easily make the connection between the text and the song.

BRITISH PATRIOTIC PROPAGANA LABELS

In time of war the use of patriotic labels for PSYOP is a common sight. In fact, they are probably one of the most numerous forms of propaganda, produced by both the government and private entrepreneurs and citizens.

more

[jimmytx3]

hi Switek, very interesting stuff, i have never seen leaflets like that before, and i have looked at a lot of FI war stuff, thanks for posting.
bye for now jimmy

[Charly84]

airborne all the way..

Where was this pic taken? After Darwin - Goose Green battle?

[Charly84]

FAA Boeing 707 320-C TC-91 in recon mission intercepted by RN Sea Harrier FRS.1, south Ascension Island, April 21st.

(click to enlarge)