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Osprey Air Campaign #51
South Atlantic 1982: The Carrier Campaign in the Falklands War
A detailed account of the war-winning role that a handful of Harrier squadrons played in the Falklands War.
On 5 April 1982, the British aircraft carriers Hermes and Invincible sailed for the South Atlantic at the heart of the task force that would retake the Falkland Islands, known to Argentina as the Islas Malvinas. Air power was essential to the operation, and some analysts considered the contest unwinnable. The British had just 42 fighter jets available (28 Sea Harriers and 14 RAF Harrier GR.3s), and were outnumbered three-to-one by the Argentinian Air Force.
Naval expert Angus Konstam offers a focused history of naval aviation in the Falklands War. The superbly manoeuvrable Harriers provided air cover during the ferociously contested landings, and later a Harrier Forward Operating Base on the islands was also made available. He explains how the British forces achieved their impressive Falklands air-to-air record, shooting down 21 Argentinian jets for no losses, while suffering more to anti-aircraft fire. He also looks into the Harriers' ground-attack campaign, and explains the roles played by weapons technology, radar, electronic warfare, aerial reconnaissance, and support helicopters.
Illustrated throughout with spectacular new artwork, 3D diagrams and maps, this book explains how the brutal test of the Falklands War showed the way forward for naval aviation and fleet air defence for decades to come.
On 5 April 1982, the British aircraft carriers Hermes and Invincible sailed for the South Atlantic at the heart of the task force that would retake the Falkland Islands, known to Argentina as the Islas Malvinas. Air power was essential to the operation, and some analysts considered the contest unwinnable. The British had just 42 fighter jets available (28 Sea Harriers and 14 RAF Harrier GR.3s), and were outnumbered three-to-one by the Argentinian Air Force.
Naval expert Angus Konstam offers a focused history of naval aviation in the Falklands War. The superbly manoeuvrable Harriers provided air cover during the ferociously contested landings, and later a Harrier Forward Operating Base on the islands was also made available. He explains how the British forces achieved their impressive Falklands air-to-air record, shooting down 21 Argentinian jets for no losses, while suffering more to anti-aircraft fire. He also looks into the Harriers' ground-attack campaign, and explains the roles played by weapons technology, radar, electronic warfare, aerial reconnaissance, and support helicopters.
Illustrated throughout with spectacular new artwork, 3D diagrams and maps, this book explains how the brutal test of the Falklands War showed the way forward for naval aviation and fleet air defence for decades to come.
- GenresMilitary HistoryHistory
191 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 16, 2025
4 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Angus Konstam
219 books61 followersAngus Konstam is a Scottish writer of popular history. Born in Aberdeen, Scotland and raised on the Orkney Islands, he has written more than a hundred books on maritime history, naval history, historical atlases, with a special focus on the history of piracy.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 9, 2025
Great account of the air battle over the Falkland’s
The account is a real page turner, the detailed account of the air battles, the courage of the Argentinian pilots over the South Atlantic, the resolution of the British counterpart, made the battle a battle of wills, the experience of the paratroops, contrast against the Argentinean conscript at the end spoil the air effort. Nevertheless a great read, truly recommended it.
The account is a real page turner, the detailed account of the air battles, the courage of the Argentinian pilots over the South Atlantic, the resolution of the British counterpart, made the battle a battle of wills, the experience of the paratroops, contrast against the Argentinean conscript at the end spoil the air effort. Nevertheless a great read, truly recommended it.
June 21, 2025
Fairly brief and concise overview of the campaign. Covers assembly and deployment of British task force and the use of Sea Harriers in the war. Other parts of air war, such as Vulcan air strikes and Harriers operating from carriers, are only covered briefly.
In true Osprey and Air Campaign fashion book focuses heavily on first hand accounts and detailed descriptions of few select engagements. It gives credit where credit is due to Argentinians, probably since enough time has passed and certain objective distance has been reached, something lacking in immediate post war books. As usual with Osprey and this series it's a good read for somebody interested in general account of the war or as a starting point.
What I mostly miss is a more detailed break down of aircraft losses (date, type, cause) for both sides.
In true Osprey and Air Campaign fashion book focuses heavily on first hand accounts and detailed descriptions of few select engagements. It gives credit where credit is due to Argentinians, probably since enough time has passed and certain objective distance has been reached, something lacking in immediate post war books. As usual with Osprey and this series it's a good read for somebody interested in general account of the war or as a starting point.
What I mostly miss is a more detailed break down of aircraft losses (date, type, cause) for both sides.
January 29, 2025
I found it more detailed and comprehensive than other histories of the South Atlantic conflict I have read over the years.
This book is written with a reasonably detached point of view that is respectful of both sides in the conflict, I like that.
This campaign could be summed up with "buy more exocet missiles" for one side and "buy some CIWS systems" for the other. A rather tragic, unnecessary conflict between two members of the western block.
This book is written with a reasonably detached point of view that is respectful of both sides in the conflict, I like that.
This campaign could be summed up with "buy more exocet missiles" for one side and "buy some CIWS systems" for the other. A rather tragic, unnecessary conflict between two members of the western block.
October 23, 2025
Still reads like speculative military fiction, but it's an amazing story. A story of the air campaign in the South Atlantic seems off beat. It tested so many limits. The civilian side receives some attention, which is amazing. It is a strange story of Argentina taking the Falklands, and then the British response. Remarkable detail and helpful illustrations. Really couldn't ask for more.
May 29, 2025
Very good. Plenty I hadn't read elsewhere; a great account of the air war and definitely recommended. The author may have dudded the Argentine FMA Pucara. It says that two were shot down by Sea Harriers when other accounts say it was one (Carlos Tomba shot down by Sharkey Ward) and it makes no mention of a Pucara shooting down a Westland Scout helicopter, which is surprising as it is confirmed by British accounts. (If I just missed this in the book someone please correct me). Other than that it's a cracker.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews