Southern Cross Aerobatic Squadron

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
Active1962-1962

1997-2010

2013-present
Country Argentina
BranchArgentine Air Force
TypeAerobatic display
RoleFlight demonstration team
SizeSix pilots
Garrison/HQMorón, Buenos Aires, Argentina
ColorsLight Blue & White
   
Aircraft flown
Trainer6 FMA IA 63 Pampa

History

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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) [es] 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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A FMA IA 63 Pampa
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

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  1. ^ "Escuadrilla Acrobatica Cruz del Sur, Reseña Histórica - Taringa!". Taringa!. Retrieved 2016-05-23.
  2. ^ "Cruz del Sur". AerobaticTeams.net. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
  3. ^ Aeroespacio, Issue 993[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ 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

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Further reading

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