The cockpit of Fuerza Aérea Argentina (Argentine Air Force) FMA IA 58 Pucará A-533 has arrived at the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum, marking an important addition to the UK’s largest permanent display dedicated to the Falklands War.
The Falklands War display at the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum includes aircraft and exhibits from both the British forces and the Argentines, and shares the story of the conflict through our ‘11 Weeks in 1982’ display. Pucará A-533 joins Aermacchi MB-339 4-A-116 and Bell UH-1H AE-406 on display at the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum, all captured by British forces after the Argentine surrender.
A-533 was returned to the UK as a potentially airworthy aircraft for evaluation and was issued the UK Military serial number of ZD486. A-533 would not fly in the UK, and was instead used as a spares source to maintain another captured Pucará, A-515/ZD485. Displayed at the Museum of Army Flying at Middle Wallop, A-533 was scrapped in the 1990’s due to its deteriorating condition with the cockpit section being preserved. Since the rest of the airframe was scrapped, A-533’s cockpit has passed through a number of private owners before joining the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum collection.
Our thanks go to A-533’s previous owner for allowing the museum the opportunity to add this important aircraft to our collection, and help to share the story of the Falklands War with our visitors.
