FI / Finland
Lisää toivelistalle
| Tuotekoodi: | 48278 |
|---|---|
| Numero: | G3318278 |
| Lentokoneen käyttövoima: | Potkuri |
| Valtio: | Yhdysvallat |
| Tuotemerkki: | ICM Models |
US Attack Aircraft
Before
their appearance in Vietnam, the B-26K Counter Invader strike aircraft
managed to fight in another part of the world – in the Congo. In the
1960s, this Central African country found itself in a state of civil
war. The United States of America supported the government of the Congo
against the rebels known as the Simba. With the support of the CIA, a
special aviation unit was formed, but political considerations did not
allow the use of American pilots. And then it was decided to use crews
recruited from pilots from other countries for these tasks. Many of them
were Cubans.
This aviation unit, also known as 211 Squadron of the
2nd Congo Air Force Group, performed air support missions for government
troops in their battles with the rebels. Since the use of bombs was
prohibited, the B-26K Counter Invader inflicted fire damage with heavy
machine guns and unguided rockets. Great firepower, long range and the
enemy’s lack of anti-aircraft defenses made these aircraft effective in
the fight against insurgents.
In early 1965, some B-26K aircraft
received original markings, which were used as a sign of squadron
identification. She was a large black bull on a white background, copied
from the label of a popular local beer brand, and the name Makasi. The
name was translated as “very strong” or “strong as a bull”.
