P-47D Thunderbolt of the Mexican Expeditionary Air Force AZTEC EAGLES
Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2017 8:06 pm
Has been a long time away from my workbench. So let's start with this new project.
HISTORICAL BACKGORUND
The participation of Mexico in World War II at times have gone unnoticed in history books. However, the Mexican Expeditionary Air Force "Escuadró 201" fought bravely against the japanese forces in the Philippines. Making long range fighter sweeps against the enemy forces in Formosa (now Taiwan).
Mexico declared war to the Axis powers on May 28, 1942 after the sinking of oil tankers ships in the Gulf of Mexico. But it wasn't until May 8 1944 that the decision was made to send a combat force represented by the Mexican Air Force. A complete air squadron of mexican aviators, mechanics, gunners, meteorologist, and other support crews weere sent to the United States for training in air combat maneuvers, gunnery and bombing training as well as to train the mechanics and other ground personnel in order to prepare for the battles they will soon engage.
Upon the arrival to the Philippines on April 30, 1945, the Aztec Eagles were ssigned to the 58th fighter group, 5th fighter command of the 5th Air Force under the command of Col. Antonio Cardenas Rodriguez while the Escuadron 201 was headed by 1st Capt. Radames Gaxiola Andrade. Their first missions were flown on loaned P-47's from the USAAF while they awaited the arrival of their own P-47's Thunderbolt.
But due to the prior use of planes and damage suffered into the original units, its pilots had to flight in extraordinary dangerous circumstaces. Even so the ground crew made the remarkable achievement to put all those planes into an airworthly condition again.
The Aztec Eagles participation in WWII was brief but very efficent, brought honor to the mexican nation and pride to its people.
HISTORICAL BACKGORUND
The participation of Mexico in World War II at times have gone unnoticed in history books. However, the Mexican Expeditionary Air Force "Escuadró 201" fought bravely against the japanese forces in the Philippines. Making long range fighter sweeps against the enemy forces in Formosa (now Taiwan).
Mexico declared war to the Axis powers on May 28, 1942 after the sinking of oil tankers ships in the Gulf of Mexico. But it wasn't until May 8 1944 that the decision was made to send a combat force represented by the Mexican Air Force. A complete air squadron of mexican aviators, mechanics, gunners, meteorologist, and other support crews weere sent to the United States for training in air combat maneuvers, gunnery and bombing training as well as to train the mechanics and other ground personnel in order to prepare for the battles they will soon engage.
Upon the arrival to the Philippines on April 30, 1945, the Aztec Eagles were ssigned to the 58th fighter group, 5th fighter command of the 5th Air Force under the command of Col. Antonio Cardenas Rodriguez while the Escuadron 201 was headed by 1st Capt. Radames Gaxiola Andrade. Their first missions were flown on loaned P-47's from the USAAF while they awaited the arrival of their own P-47's Thunderbolt.
But due to the prior use of planes and damage suffered into the original units, its pilots had to flight in extraordinary dangerous circumstaces. Even so the ground crew made the remarkable achievement to put all those planes into an airworthly condition again.
The Aztec Eagles participation in WWII was brief but very efficent, brought honor to the mexican nation and pride to its people.
