1/72 HobbyMaster (HA1419) Douglas A4Q Skyhawk (3A-314) flown by Lt. Marcelo Gustavo Marquez, Falklands May 1982, 3 Escuadrilla de Caza y Ataque, Armada Argentina (Limited Edition)

On May 21, 1982, during the Falkland/Malvinas War, three Argentine A-4Q Skyhawks from 3 Escuadrilla de Cazay 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.

Douglas A-4Q Skyhawk

Designed to replace the antiquated, propeller-driven AD Skyraider, the A-4 Skyhawk was first flown on June 22, 1954. Douglas exceeded the ori ginal design requirements by delivering a carrier-capable aircraft that was only half the Navy's weight specification and so compact that it did not need folding wings. The A-4 was the first to use "buddy" air-to-air refueling (an A-4 could refuel other aircraft of the same type), which was helpful when operating in remote locations where dedicated tankers were impractical. The A-4 served the US Navy until 2003 and remained the preferred warplane for the Marine Corps until the 1980s, even after the introduction of the A-7 Corsair II.

© Copyright 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.