About This Aircraft
The FMA IA 58 Pucará is an Argentine ground-attack and counter-insurgency aircraft. This particular aircraft, ZD485, has a unique history. Originally serving with the Argentine Air Force as A-515, it was captured by British forces during the 1982 Falklands War at Port Stanley airfield. Built by the Fábrica Militar de Aviones (FMA), the Pucará is a twin-turboprop aircraft with a distinctive, rugged design suited for its role. It is powered by two Turbomeca Astazou turboprop engines and is armed with cannons, machine guns, and can carry bombs and rockets. After its capture, it was allocated the British serial number ZD485, transported to the UK, and evaluated. It now serves as a significant museum piece and a tangible reminder of the Falklands conflict.