It was decided to stop Che Guevara's desire to export the Cuban Revolution to the newly independent Congo. It needed to be done on the down low, so who did the US turn to? A bunch of Cubans still reeling form the failed Bay of Pigs fiasco.
They started with a motley collection of T-6 Texans fitted with a pair of .30 cal machine guns and rockets. Needing some more firepower, they were given North American T-28C's and newly refurbished Douglas (On-Mark COIN) B-26Ks'. The T-28s were fitted with a pair of .50 cal Brownings and a pair of 2.75" rocket pods. The B-26Ks were fitted with 8 X .50's and 8 2.75" rocket pods.
They were pretty damned effective, as soon Guevara tucked tail, and left to Bolivia, where he was soon dispatched. Proud that my father was there flying both the T-28s and the B-26s.
And let's get one thing straight. There's a big difference between a pilot and an aviator. One is a technician; the other is an artist in love with flight. — E. B. Jeppesen
Are those your father's pictures? And is he in there?
miamiair wrote:They started with a motley collection of T-6 Texans fitted with a pair of .30 cal machine guns and rockets.
I saw a T-6 variant (CCF Harvard Mk4) at a small air show here in Germany in 2009. Briefly considered flying it, but the price tag was above my budget. Next time, I will not let that put me off.
Ideology: The mistaken belief that your beliefs are neither beliefs nor mistaken.
Zak wrote:Are those your father's pictures? And is he in there?
Bottom black and white, on the left, to the right of him is my Godfather.
And let's get one thing straight. There's a big difference between a pilot and an aviator. One is a technician; the other is an artist in love with flight. — E. B. Jeppesen
