Showing posts with label Chile 1939-1945. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chile 1939-1945. Show all posts

Tuesday, 10 December 2019

Vought OS2U Kingfisher, part two

The American floatplane Vought OS2U Kingfisher was supplied to many foreign countries, among them the following ones:

  • Argentina: It seems that, in 1944 one Uruguayan Kingfisher got lost during a flight and had to force land in the Argentinean city of Mar Chiquita. It seems that the aircraft was interned and the crew was returned to Uruguay. However, other sources claim that nine machines were supplied to Argentina in 1942. As the text mentions to Argentine Kingfisher are scarce and there isn't graphical evidence, the drawing should considered as speculative.
  • Chile: The Chilean Air Force got their first Kingfisher in 1942 and were assigned to Grupo Nº2 (Group Number 2). They were employed for recon and patrol duties and were active until 1957, when they were written off. One of them was used by Teniente 1º (1st Lieutenant) Arturo Parodi Alister to fly over Deception Island, in the Antarctica for half an hour in recon and aerial photograph missions as he and his Kingfisher was part of the Chilean expedition that set up the first Chilean permanent base in Antarctica.
  • Cuba: The Cuban Air Force received in July 1942 three Kingfisher in order to perform anti-submarine patrols. They were assigned to the Cuban Navy and served well until the late 1950s. They saw action in the Cuban Revolution too, as they were used for anti-guerrilla operations by the government forces. One Kingfisher was captured by the rebels on 7th December 1958 and was used for bombing the besieged encampment of the garrison in La Maya, making them to surrender. Once the revolution was over and somewhat consolidated, the Kingfisher was written off.
  • Dominican Republic: Three machines were sold to the Dominican Republic, most probably in 1942 and were used in the patrol and reconnaissance roles. They were active until the late 1950s when they were written off. As there isn't graphical evidence of their service with the Caribbean country, the colours and registration should be taken as speculative.









Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vought_OS2U_Kingfisher
2. https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vought_OS2U_Kingfisher (translated)
3. https://aeropinakes.com/wordpress/1958/05/21/los-primeros-aviones-de-la-far/ (translated)
4. https://www.fach.mil.cl/images/boletin/historico_diciembre18.pdf (translated)
5. http://www.pilotoviejo.com/os2uhistoria.htm (translated)

Saturday, 26 October 2019

Messerschmitt Bf.108, part three

The Messerschmitt Bf.108 was a German single-engine sports and touring aircraft that was used by many countries all around the globe. Among many users, it was also used by the next ones:

  • Brazil: At least one was used by Viaçao Aerea Rio-Grandese (VARIG) airline during the 1930s and was most probably used as a VIP transport.
  • Chile: One Bf.108 was purchased directly to Messerschmitt by the Chilean senator Carlos del Campo in the mid-to-late 1930s. After a brief period of using it as his personal transport, he sold it to LAN (Linea Aérea Nacional - National Airline) who operated the aircraft as a VIP transport and was painted with the colours depicted below. With the outbreak of World War 2, as spare parts became a problem, it was sold again to another unknown customer who kept it left to rot in a barn. In the mid 1960s some Chilean air enthusiasts tried to buy the plane but the owner sold it to some North American customer. It was then when the trace of this Bf.108 vanished. According to some people it was sent to the USA where it was repainted and restored to flying condition, while some other claim that it was repainted and shown in a museum. However, the real fate of the aircraft is still a mystery.
  • Czechoslovakia: The Czechoslovak Air Force operated some ex-German exemplars after the War. They were renamed as K-70 and served with the Transport Squadron based at Prague's Kbely airbase.
  • Japan: The Imperial Japanese Army Air Service bought some few Bf.108 for testing purposes. They were assigned to the Army Aviation Experimental Centre in Japan, where they were tested during the 1930s. After testing they decided to not order them and they were passed on to Manchukuo, their main puppet state in Asia.
  • Manchukuo: From 1936 until 1940 the Manchukuo National Airways (MKKK) (which in spite of its name was a paramilitary organisation) used some Bf.108 ceded from Japan for light transport and reconnaissance duties. 
  • Norway: It seems that some few ex-German machines were used by the Royal Norwegian Air Force during the post-war period. As we couldn't find graphical evidence, the colours should be considered speculative.
  • Poland: The Polish Central Staff for the Aviation League operated some ex-German Bf.108 during the post-war period. It was also used by the Polish Internal Security Corps which was the Polish counterpart of the Soviet NKVD.









Sources:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_Bf_108
2. http://www.warbirdalley.com/bf108.htm
3. Wydawnictwo Militaria 149 - Messerschmitt Bf-108 Taifun
4. https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=347