Wings of the Malvinas: The Argentine Air War Over the Falklands

It's a big heavy; high-quality publication. The pictures in it seem like really authentic 80s shots and the bibliography extensive.The fact that this Argentinian chap took so much trouble to write this; well, you'd have to expect a little bit of patriotism to come through, wouldn't you?Because I have read three other books on the Falklands air war, written from the British perspective it was really useful to cross-reference between them and this book the accounts of what happened whenIf you are able to do the same it can be really interesting. In one encounter the British pilots say a missile was fired at them; the Argentinians say one was fired at them. But neither side fired their missiles!Some of what the author says is beyond doubt: He gives account of the Dagger and Skyhawk raids on the British warships. He says they are brave, but that was exactly what the people on the navy ships and the Harrier pilots said. When you read what they went through you can see they must have been very committed to their duty.However, sometimes it feels a bit like Mr Rivas gets a bit too much on his pilot's side! The Mirage squadron were supposed to be defending the attack aircraft against the predations of the Sea Harriers. After a disastrous first encounter most commentators seem to feel that the pilots felt vulnerable due to less effective missiles and the long-range they were fighting at and didn't mix-it again. However, Rivas insists these escort missions went on and that at least on two occasions the Harriers 'escaped' which would seem tricky as they were sub-sonic, unlike the Mirages they 'escaped' from.Finally, and still on the subject of the bravery of the Argentine pilots, the Hercules pilots and crew kept on flying the whole period of the conflict. Without their munitions and air-refuelling efforts options would have very quickly dried up for fighting the British. They were unarmed most of the time and flying ridiculously low across the mountainous terrain; in an effort to evade detection. On at least one occasion they were caught and paid the ultimate price. If I was an Argentinian I would feel proudest of the self-sacrifice of these chaps in an effort to keep their comrades supplied

"The other sides" story. A very good read, I was particularly taken by "the Invincible Attack" the alleged attack on Royal navy carriers told with such gusto, an attack did take place but not on the carrierrs which were further east, still one must acknowledge the remarkable feat of aviation and raw courage of the pilots of the Argentine Airforce who flew at such ranges to attack the "Task Force".(The author falls just short of saying it was an attack which fell on the escort ships and not the carriers, but it is enough and I would not argue against the men who flew the mission , hardy guys to be sure).A good one to read alongside accounts from British sources, well worth buying , no regrets on my part.

What a brilliantly independent look at the conflict from an Argentine perspective. Detail accounts, data and intelligence make this a must read for anyone interested in the air war in the south Atlantic

Full of details, though I am sure British readers would object to claims that HMS Invincible was actually bombed. Translation mistakes here and there, as well as a wrong caption.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.It is a well written and very interesting read of a conflict from the perspective of the 'enemy' and certainly gave me a new respect for the difficulties faced by and bravery of the Argentinian pilots.It is well illustrated throughout too.

Superb book, a lot of first hand accounts from pilots from both side, in deep techical informations, great collection of pictures

This is an Argentine account of the air war in the South Atlantic in 1982, and it is a refreshing breath of fresh air reading the alternative point of view.Like the British accounts it starts with an attempt to justify the war, like the British accounts this section draws heavily on history and totally ignores the real reason, the mineral wealth around the Falkland Islands and the South Pole.The book lists every airplane used by the Argentines during the war and its operations and its fate.What surprised me was the support the Argentines received from other South American nations such as a squadron of Skyhawks supplied by Peru and the Brazilians sending preproduction versions of the ocean patrol aircraft, to "try them under combat conditions".The book also gives a better account of the movements of the British taskforce. It also included British and Argentine accounts of the air combats.Overall a welcome addition to the books about the Falklands war.

This is a very rare full blown account of the Falklands air war covered from the Argentine side by Santiago Rivas who has taken great pains to do the research and bring out a lot of unknown info - full of rare first person pilot accounts and perspective from the Argentine side - covers all the aspects in great detail - the mission planning , tactics , sorties - rare pictures and excellent profiles - this is a must buy for any air war enthusiast