aeroplane Archives - Page 37 of 57 - Destination's Journey

Hawker Sea Fury in Cuban Service

Hawker Sea Fury in Cuban Service

Acquisition and Delivery

In 1958, the Fuerza Aérea del Ejercito de Cuba (FAEC) purchased a total of 17 refurbished Sea Furies from Hawker Aircraft. The aircraft were all ex-Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm (FAA) aircraft and comprised 15 FB.11 fighter-bombers and two T.20 trainers. Deliveries began in 1958 and were completed by 1959.

Operational History

The Sea Furies were used by the FAEC during the Cuban Revolution, seeing action against the rebel forces led by Fidel Castro. During the April 1961 Bay of Pigs Invasion, Fuerza Aerea Rebelde (FAR) Sea Furies were active against air ground and sea targets.

Retirement

The Sea Furies were retired from service in 1962 due to a lack of spare parts and maintenance personnel.

Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 during the fighting on Playa Giron

A Cuban pilot and a Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 before a combat mission — Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 during the fighting on Playa Giron

AEG DJ.I Ground Attack Aircraft

Still under development at the end of the First World War, the AEG DJ.I was a German ground attack aircraft. First flying in September 1918, its development was terminated by the Armistice.

Highly streamlines, it had aluminium fuselage coverings and I-type interplane struts. Armament would have consisted of a pair of 7.92 mm machine guns and a light bomb load. As a ground attack aircraft, it was also provided with armour.

Blériot 125

The Blériot 125 was a French prototype passenger plane first flown in March 1931. Of unconventional design, it had the twelve passengers seated in twin fuselages, six in each. There was a central nacelle, which had a forward tractor engine and a rear pusher engine. The crew compartment was between the two engines.

I was displayed at the 1930 Salon de l’Aéronautique in Paris before it has flown. When test flights took place, it was found to have poor flying characteristics. Attempts to rectify the problems continued into 1933 but were not successful. The Blériot 125 was scrapped in 1934.