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| Variants: IA 58A, IA 58B, IA 58C, IA66 Operators: Argentina, Colombia, Sri Lanka, Uruguay |
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IA 58 is a two-seat light attack aircraft powered by two turboprop engines. It was designed for the COIN (counterinsurgency) and CAS (close air support) roles for the Argentine Air Force. It has narrow fuselage and tail section and a tandem seat cockpit with a steep sloping nose. Because of the steep nose the pilot has excellent forward visibility. Although heavily armed the weapons are unguided and visually aimed by the crew. The IA 58 only needs a minimum of ground support to operate, it is able to operate from unprepared rough terrains. |
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The IA 58A is the main production variant of the Pucará design. About 108 aircraft were built for Argentina of which 6 were sold to Uruguay. About 3 aircraft were captured by the United Kingdom during the Falkland War, they are now preserved by the RAF. The IA 58B is basically a IA 58A with 30mm cannons in place of the 20mm cannons present in the A model. Although a prototype has been developed, none were produced. |
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The IA 58C is a mulri-role single-seat version of the Pucará. The changes included the addition of a Head-up Display, IFF (identification friend of foe), 30-mm DEFA 553 cannons in the nose, two extra hardpoints for Magic 2 Air-to-Air missiles and additional weapons capability, including Martin Pescador anti-ship missiles. The IA 66 prototype was a IA 58A model fitted with 1,000-shp Garrett TPE331-11-601W turboprops, none were produced. The IA 58A is also operated by Colombia, Sri Lanka and Uruguay but only in small numbers. |
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History In the mid 1960s the Argentine government issued a demand to the nations military aircraft producer, Fabrica Militar de Aviones (FMA), for a new combat aircraft suitable for the COIN, CAS and recce roles. On 20 August 1969 the initial prototype made its first flight. More prototypes were produced and on 8 November 1974 the first of 60 IA 58A production aircraft for the Argentinian Air Force made its maiden flight. In end 1975 deleveries began and Initial operational capability was achieved. Followed in the 1970s by a second production run of 48 more aircraft. |
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In 1982 the IA 58A Pucará flew CAS missions during the Flakland Wars against the United Kingdom, but did not prove itself in that role. Its design to operate from rough fields with minimum ground support proved good. Although it achieved one air-to-air kill by shooting down a Westland Scout AH.1 light helicopter, many Pucarás were lost. About two third was lost on the ground, and a quarter were destroyed by ground fire, accidents and other causes. The remaining aircraft were captured when British forces captured the Island. |
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In December 1989, Argentina delivered three Pucaras to Colombia on loan for use against drug manufacturers and smugglers. |
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In the 1990s Argentina tried to market about 40 IA 58A aircraft, reportedly held in storage at that time, to countries in Africa, however no report of a sale have yet occured. |
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JRLucariny PUCARA PANEL MODEL Abacus Custom Panel Designer Version 3.0 |
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Specification IA 58A Powerplant: two 988 shp Turbomecca Astazou XVIG turboprops Dimensions: length 15.25m (46 ft 9 in); height 5.36m (17 ft 7 in); wing span 14.50m (47 ft 7 in) Weights: empty, equipped 4037 kg (8,900 lb); Max Take-Off Weight 6.800 kg (14,991 lb) Performance: max speed at 3.000m (9,840 ft) Mach 0.48 or 500 km/h (311 mph); service ceiling 9700m (31,825 ft) |
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Armament: two Hispano HS804 20mm cannons with 270 rounds per gun, four FN Browning 7.62mm guns with 900 rounds per gun; up tp 1500 kg (3,307 lb) of free fall bombs, napalm tanks, 70mm (2.75 in) rockets, cannon pods, recce pods and/or two auxiliary fuel tanks. |
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JRLucariny IA58 PUCARA
Two-seat light attack aircraft FS Model |
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