Museo Nacional Aeronautica, Moron, Buenos Aires

[nuuumannn]

Hi Guys, here are a few images taken at the excellent Museo Nacional Aeronautica in Buenos Aires.

Firstly, the Pulqui I designed by Frenchman Emile Dewoitine was something of a disappointment owing to lacklustre performance, but it was the first gas turbine aircraft built in Latin America.

I've done a walkaround of this aircraft here: warbirds

Next, its intended successor, the deadly looking Pulqui II, which was designed by none other than Kurt Tank had good performance, powered by a Rolls-Royce Nene, but handling issues and political turmoil within the country sought to stymie production of the aircraft. Eventually the US offered the Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-86 Sabres at a bargain price and the Pulqui II never entered production.

From the handsome to the ridiculous, another Kurt Tank masterpiece was the Huanquero twin engine bomber, reconnaissance, transport trainer. Apparently President Juan Peron often travelled around in the Huanquero, rather than the purpose utilised presidential aircraft.

A little known rarity of Argentine design is the Instituto Aerotecnico I.Ae-22 DL, whose design was influenced by the North American NA-16, although the aircraft is entirely indigenous, even the engine, a 450hp I.Ae-16 El Gaucho 9 cylinder radial.

The Guarani II will win no beauty prize, but despite only 32 production examples built, was widely used in Argentina. It was a successor to the Huanquero and was based on the earlier design; the Guarani I bearing considerable resemblance to the piston engine predecessor, but a new empennage was fitted to the Guarani II.

An unmistakeable shape any student of the Luftwaffe will recognise, the Urubu glider was designed by Reimar Horten within the Instituto Aerotecnico. Only five of the two seat gliders were built, this one being the only survivor.

Next the venerable Pucara, the neat twin engined ground attack aircraft that fared rather poorly through no fault of its own, I might add, during the Falklands war of 1982. This one is the very first one built and is almost identical to production examples.

To the Argentine people, the Guerra de Las Malvinas was a turning point in the nation's history; faith in the military Junta dissolved altogether and sovereignty over the islands became a sore point that exists to this day. Therefore it's no wonder that there are monuments to the Malvinas dotted all over Buenos Aires, something that compilers of the likes of the Lonely Planet guides for tourists seem to overlook when expressing national characteristics - a pathological desire to see the islands back in Argentine hands. Within the MNA are five Malvinas combat veterans, all visible in the image below, from right to left, Canberra B-62 B-109, Mirage IIIEA I-011, Dagger A C-432, A-4P C-207 and A-4C C-322.

Of the five combat veterans, A-4P C-207 is the most noteworthy, wearing 'kill' markings in the form of ship silhouettes, illustrating attacks made on the British warships HMS Broadsword, Brilliant and Coventry, the last of which was sunk on 25 May 1982 after attack by A-4s including C-207.

On the last night of the war, Canberra B-62 B-109 was one of two sent to bomb British positions around Mount Kent and thus was the last Argentine aircraft deployed in combat during the war. Sadly, the other Canberra B-108 was shot down by a Sea Dart launched from the destroyer HMS Exeter, the last casualty of the war.

Finally, Argentine Mirage IIIs played only a small role during the war, being hampered by their fuel reserves and being able to spend only 15 minutes over the islands before having to return to the main land. Nevertheless, I-011 carried out air combat sorties over the islands during the war.

More to come.

Edited July 3, 2016 by nuuumannn

[nuuumannn]

More from MNA.

It's a little known fact that celebrated French pioneer airman and author Antoine de St Exupery spent time in Argentina flying mail routes set up by the French air postal service. Remarkably, one of his aircraft survives; the last Latecoere 25 left.

An example of the pretty Fiat G.46 trainer, one of 70 operated by the Fuerza Aerea Argentina.

The Max Holste Broussard is known as the French Beaver, such are the characteristics of the type, yet it gets little exposure outside of those nations that operate it, primarily in Africa, South America and Asia, where its rugged nature is best exploited.

Another French import, the Morane Saulnier MS.502 Criquet, (Locust, not cricket) based on the Fieseler Storch, this one in civilian markings.

The big S-61R served with the FAA for 18 years before retirement to the museum in 2002.

Outside is a line up of aircraft that are desperately in need of shelter, but like most museums, space and resources are at a premium. One of the most significant is Avro Lincoln B-004, one of only three complete and intact examples of Avro's Lancaster successor in the world; another in Argentina and the third at the RAF Museum, Cosford.

Despite being all metal, the Vickers VC.1 Viking, nicknamed The Pig, is a direct descendant of the Wellington bomber, the earliest examples being fitted with geodetic wings and tailplanes. This particular aircraft was used as Juan Peron's presidential transport for a period, when he was scooting about in the Huanquero.

Finally, a big Bristol in need of a good wash. I've been reliably informed that this is one of the earliest production examples and might well be one of the oldest surviving Freighters.

Thanks for looking.

[Alpha Delta 210]

Certainly some interesting and rare types on display. Thanks for sharing.

[batcode]

some great pictures there all with some nice history attached....many thanks for sharing

[Red Dot]

good photos and good information too, thanks for sharing

[Giorgio N]

Very nice pictures and very interesting info on each aircraft, thanks for sharing !

[luis pacheco]

Great pics. Thanks for sharing.

[MikeW]

I really enjoyed that tour - thank you.

Cheers,

Mike

[Andrew D Jolly Rogers guy]

Wow, amazing to see those! Absolutely amazing!!

[Andrew D Jolly Rogers guy]

Only thing missing, in my mind, is a Super Etendard

[nuuumannn]

Thanks guys. Andrew, the Super Etendard is still in Argentine navy service, but there is one on display at the naval aviation museum at Espora, Bahia Blanca. The MNA primarily displays air force and civil aircraft.

[stevehnz]

Great photos Grant, thanks for sharing. Just added this to my world tour of aircraft museums for when I win the big one.

Steve.

[Andrew D Jolly Rogers guy]

The MNA primarily displays air force and civil aircraft.

Ah! Didn't realize that...thanks for the clarification!

[nuuumannn]

Just a wee alteration to the text; referring to the Malvinas veterans on display in the MNA at Moron, Buenos Aires, I have since discovered that A-4C C-322 on display in the museum was indeed active during the conflict and did carry out combat operations. A true warbird.

[Latinbear]

Great photos and accompanying information of somewhere few of us are likely to be able to get to. Thanks for sharing these.

[F-32]

Very nice indeed, looks like a great museum.