1/350 ARA '25 de Mayo (Heller kitbash)

The ARA (Armada de la República Argentina) '25 de Mayo' was one of the aircraft carriers in Argentine Navy service, playing an important role although in the background of the Falklands (Malvinas) conflict in 1982. At the beginning of the invasion it transported several aircraft to the Malvinas, but when the cruiser ARA 'Belgrano' was sunk it was returned to harbour, not to sail anymore during the conflict. Only afterwards it became known that it was only a turn of fortune that not the '25 de Mayo' was torpedoed, by HMS 'Splendid', but circumstances prevented this action and the 'Belgrano' was targeted instead, by HMS 'Conqueror'.
The '25 de Mayo' started life as HMS 'Venerable', and was sold to the Dutch navy as HNLMS 'Karel Doorman', and served that country until 1968. In 1955-1958 it was profoundly modified with an angled landing deck, a completely new island and new radar sensors. After it was sold off to Argentina it was modified even further, with extension of the landing deck and various aircraft parking areas. By the time of the conflict it was equipped with A-4Q Skyhawks, S-2E Trackers, SH-3D Seakings and one or two Alouette III helicopters as plane guard. It was intended to have also Super Étendards with Exocet missiles, but these weren't cleared for use at that time.

This model has been created by extending the 1:400 Heller 'Arromanches', both in length (71mm!), width and height, and relocating all hull apertures. A new fight deck was added, and the island was completely built from scratch. The mods were based on the extensive drawings set in the Dutch National Archives in The Hague, available online at no cost. The Skyhawks were from l'Arsenal, the Seakings from Fujimi (mod), but the Trackers and the Alouette were built from scratch as a master and cast in flexible resin. I included also the 'Splendid' on one of the photos, this one is modified from the Airfix HMS 'Trafalgar' kit. All the radar antennas, the 40mm AA guns and the boats were provided by Naval Models.
Here you can find some photos during the build.

Thank you for watching! If this model triggers any questions I'm happy to reply.

Gallery updated 9/2/2022

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