Falklands War GB feeler.
Both VanceCrozier and myself have been talking about setting up a Falklands War GB to commemorate the 30th anneversary of the war in 2012. This is a very advanced feeler as the GB won't start until Oct. But we thought it would give time for people to finish off other GB's as well as find kits for somthing a bit different.
We think this is a good chance for people to learn somthing about a war that alot of people know little about. But as well as covering the war itself, it will also include the military presence there in the 30 years since. I am about to head down for my 3rd deployment there and it still surprises people that the force there is as big as it is.
So, the GB. It will run from Oct 1st 2011 to June 14th 2012, the 30th Annerversary of the end of the war. For the period of the war itself, which begain with the Argentine invasion of the Falklands and South georgia on April 2nd 1982, you can build anything, in any scale from either side.
So, thats enough waffle. If you would be interested in doing somthing a bit different that doesn't involve the Germans or Americans and learning about a small war that even people in this country under 35 know little about, then let us now.
EDIT: The interest in this has been great, but understandably some people are not sure what eligable for this GB. So i will try and make a comprehensive list which will be added to as i do more digging. Please feel free to let me know of anything i missed.
Great Britain
Operation Corporate April 2nd to June 14th 1982.
Naval Forces- Carriers- HMS Hermes, HMS Invincible. Landing Platform Docks - HMS Fearless, HMS Interpid. Type 82 Destroyer- HMS Bristol. Type 42 Destroyer - HMS Sheffield, HMS Glasgow, HMS Coventry, HMS Exeter, HMS Cardiff. County Class Destroyer - HMS Glamorgan, HMS Antrim. Type 22 Frigates - HMS Brilliant, HMS Broadsword. Type 21 Frigates - HMS Active, HMS Alacrity, HMS Antelope, HMS Ardent, HMS Ambuscade, HMS Avenger, HMS Arrow. Leander Class Frigates - HMS Andromeda, HMS Argonaut, HMS Minerva, HMS Penelope. Rothesay Class Frigates - HMS yarmouth, HMS Plymouth. Ice Patrol ship - HMS Endurance. Submarines - HMS Conqueror, HMS Courageous, HMS Onyx, HMS Valiant, HMS Spartan, HMS Splendid. Plus numerous RFA ships, trawlers, dispatch ships and survey vessels. Also a large number of Merchant Nay ships taken on trade including cargo ships, liners, ferrys tankers cargo ships and other. The most well known of these being the Atlantic Conveyor, SS Canberra and RMS QE 2. For a full list check this link.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_naval_forces_in_the_Falklands_War
Air power - RN - Sea Harrier FRS.1. Wessex HAS.3 & HU.5. Lynx HAS.2 & .3. Sea King HAS. 2,.5 & HC.4. Wasp HAS.1.
RAF - - From Wideawake Airfield, Accension Islands - Chinook HC.1. Phantom FGR.2. Nimrod MR.2 & R.1. Vulcan B.2. Hercules C.1. Victor K.2. Sea King HAR.3.
Operating from Chile - Canberra PR.9.
The Falklands area - Harrier GR.3. Chinook HC.1. Only one Chinook was used as other 3 were lost with the Atlantic Conveyor.
British Army - Gazelle AH.1. Scout AH.1.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_air_services_in_the_Falklands_War
Ground Forces - various unit from the British Army including Scots Guards, Welsh Guards, Gurka Rifles, Paratroop Regt, plus Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, RAF Regt and many other units. Also the Royal marines and the Falkland Islands Defence Force. Equipment included Scimter, Scorpion and Samson light recce vehicles. 105mm L118 Light Guns, Rapier SAM missiles and Rigid Raider's. Plus the usual assortment of Infantry weapons such as Mortars, hand held SAM's, AT weapons etc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_ground_forces_in_the_Falklands_War
Since the war a force of approx 1,800 British military personal from all services has been based in the Falklands. Primarily based at RAF Mount Pleasent there are also smaller stations based around the Islands.
Air power - Fighter cover is currently provided by 1435 4 RAF Typhoons. These replaced Tornado F.3's in Sept 2009. Between 1988 and 1992 this role was undertaken by FGR.2's.In a supprot role, 1312 flight operates a VC 10 C.1 and Hercules C.1.
Since Nov 2007 1564 flight has operated 2 Sea King HAS .3's mainly in the SAR role. Prior to this, 78 Sqn operated 2 Chinooks. 2 S61 also operate from Mount Pleasant operated by a civilian company, British International. These are the main means of moving personel and supplies around the Islands, including under slung loads.
Naval - The main presence since the war has been the ice breaker HMS Endurance. There have been two ships bearing this name operating in the South tlantic region since 1982. The ship which took part in the war carried on operating from the falklands until 1991. This was replaced by the Class 1A1 icebreaker HMS Endurance which remained operating in this region until Dec 2008. There is currently no RN ice breaker operating from the Falklands. Currently, the River Class patrol vessel HMS Clyde is operating from the falklands, she has been there since 2007 and is expected to remain until 2012. The RN also rotates other vessels on an approx 6 month basis.
Land - The British Army rotates units through the Falklands and as well as providing security they also use the remote region for training. The only vehicles are soft skins, including BV 206.
Argentina
Op Rosario
Task Group 20 - ARA Comodoro Py, formerly USS Perkins. ARA Comodoro Segui, formerly USS Hank.
Task Group 40 - ARA Cabo San Antonio.
South Georgia - ARA Guerrico, ARA Bahia Parasio
Falklands Theatre of Operations
ARA Alferez Sobral, ARA Comodoro Somellera, formerly USS Catawba. ARA Isla de los Estado, ARA Bahia Buen Suceso, ARA Bahia Parasio.
South Atlantic Theatre of Operations
Task Group 79.1
ARA Veinticinco de Mayo, formerly HMS Venerable, ARA Hercules. ARA Santisima Trinidad, ARA Punta Medanos.
Task Group 79.3
ARA General Belgrano, formerly USS Phoenix. ARA Hipolito Bouchard, formerly USS Borie. ARA Piedrabuena, formerly USS Collet. ARA Punta Delgada.
More to follow.