Escuadrilla Acrobática Cruz del Sur ("Southern Cross Aerobatic Squadron") is the aerobatic demonstration team of the Argentine Air Force, established in 1962 as part of the 4th Air Group based in Mendoza. It was dissolved and reformed several times, and is currently based at Morón, Buenos Aires.
| Southern Cross Aerobatic Squadron Escuadrilla Cruz del Sur | |
|---|---|
 Southern Cross Aerobatic Flight logo | |
| Active | 1962-1962 1997-2010 2013-present |
| Country |  Argentina |
| Branch | Argentine Air Force |
| Type | Aerobatic display |
| Role | Flight demonstration team |
| Size | Six pilots |
| Garrison/HQ | Morón, Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Colors | Light Blue & White |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Trainer | 6 FMA IA 63 Pampa |
History
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2016) |
As part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Argentine Air Force creation, in 1961 it was ordered to different units to create display teams. The Southern Cross aerobatic team was created in early 1962 by the 1st Fighter-bomber Group of the IV Brigada Aérea (Argentina) of the Argentine Air Force, based at Los Tamarindos, Mendoza. It operated six F-86 Sabre aircraft until its disbandment in December of the same year. Sabres would still be used occasionally in aerobatics until 1985, though not using the team's name.[1]
The team was reformed in 1997 with seven Sukhoi Su-29AR, and disbanded again in 2010 due to budget and maintenance problems. It was based at the IV Airborne Brigade located at El Plumerillo Air Base in Mendoza.[2]
In 2012 the Air Force reestablished the team with six upgraded IA-63 Pampa II based at Morón Air Base, in Morón, Buenos Aires Province.[3][4]
Aircraft used
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| Type | Quantity | Period |
|---|---|---|
 United States - North American F-86
|
6 | 1962—1985 |
 Russia - Sukhoi Su-29
|
7 | 1997—2010 |
| Argentina - FMA IA 63 Pampa
|
6 | 2013—present |
References
edit- ^ "Escuadrilla Acrobatica Cruz del Sur, Reseña Histórica - Taringa!". Taringa!. Retrieved 2016-05-23.
- ^ "Cruz del Sur". AerobaticTeams.net. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
- ^ Aeroespacio, Issue 993[permanent dead link]
- ^ Maximiliano Borches (2012-08-08). "La escuadrilla Cruz del Sur de Argentina incorporó su primer IA-63 Pampa remotorizado". AerobaticTeams.net. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
Online sources
edit- El Escuadrón de Alta Acrobacia Cruz del Sur. Por Hernan Longoni
- Resurge la Escuadrilla Acrobática “Cruz del Sur”
- Escuadrilla Acrobatica Cruz del Sur, Reseña Histórica - Taringa! website
Further reading
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2016) |
- Baldini, Atilio (1999). Núñez Padin, Jorge Felix (ed.). ESCUADRILLA ACROBATICA CRUZ DEL SUR - La Historia de sus Actuaciones, Integrantes y Aviones. Serie Especial Fuerza Aérea (in Spanish). Vol. 2. Bahía Blanca, Argentina: Fuerzas Aeronavales. Retrieved 2016-05-18.
- Baldini, Atilio; Núñez Padin, Jorge F. (2009). Núñez Padin, Jorge Felix (ed.). F-86F-30-NA Sabre. Serie Fuerza Aérea (in Spanish). Vol. 16. Bahía Blanca, Argentina: Fuerzas Aeronavales. ISBN 978-987-20557-5-2. Archived from the original on 2013-02-22. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
External links
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