TeeELLs Cuban Air Force collection

[TeeELL]

And now for something completely different……. I think this might be the first helicopter model I have ever built.
A HobbyBoss 1/72 MiL Mi-8/17 built as a FAR Mi-17 and based on a 2014 photograph of a pristine operational example. Cuba received both Mi-8s and Mi-17s.

[TeeELL]

It is a lesser known fact that, during the Cuban Missile crisis, the Soviet Union had also secretly shipped an entire Squadron of aircraft and personnel to Cuba. The Il-28s were being assembled in under camouflage although only a few were completed and flown, (a trainer version suffered an undercarriage problem on overshot the runway on one occasion!).
The aircraft flew with their Soviet markings obliterated and no Cuban insignia. The aircraft were returned to the Soviet Union on a ships deck unprotected, they were unusable due to corrosion and were scrapped
Trumpeter 1/72 Il-28 as flown in Cuba.

[gnomemeansgnome]

First that I have seen this, Tony, wow! The Il-28 is interesting especially because of those white pentagonal white stencils. Makes one wonder if they were originally destined for Indonesia, as the Soviet Union did supply them briefly with aircraft.

[TeeELL]

First that I have seen this, Tony, wow! The Il-28 is interesting especially because of those white pentagonal white stencils. Makes one wonder if they were originally destined for Indonesia, as the Soviet Union did supply them briefly with aircraft.

GMG, the white pentangles cover the Soviet Star. The aircraft belonged to a Soviet torpedo-bomber regiment that were shipped out lock, stock and barrel. Following the resolution of the missile crisis the aircraft were shipped home on open decks and, due to extensive corrosion, had to be scrapped.

I saw a Mi-17 a couple of days ago, it was NMF and Blue but just too far away for me to read any details. I think there was a diving issue, a guest had decompression sickness and was taken to a hyperbaric chamber.

[gnomemeansgnome]

Ok, thanks for clearing that up.

[X12A]

A nice collection there Tony.

[TeeELL]

The latest addition to my ‘Cuban Collection’ is the B-26 Invader, camouflaged as used during the ‘Bay of Pigs’ event by the Air Force of the Revolution.

[TeeELL]

Used by both the FAEC of Batista against the Castro guerrillas and the Revolutionary (FAR) Air Force against the attacking forces of the USA during the ‘Bay of Pigs’ invasion. The DHC-2 Beaver was a COIN aircraft and used grenades against the opposition.

[skypirate]

Wow!
That's a really interesting theme, Tony.
The standout for me is the Mil 8/17.

Cheers,

David

[TeeELL]

Thanks David,
I based the model on a photo of an absolutely pristine ‘17 at an isolated airfield in north west Cuba.

[TeeELL]

My latest addition to the collection is a T-28A ‘Trojan’. Using a Heller kit with an ‘ABER’ resin conversion set the model represents an immediate ‘post Revolutionary’ aircraft and wears a very unusual FAC rather than FAR, as seen on a period photograph. Exactly what FAC represents is no longer known.

[TeeELL]

The latest addition to my ‘Cuban collection’ is the MiG-23 ML. The FAR received several versions of the MiG-23 fighter version including the MF and the lighter but more capable ML. This is a modified KP MiG-23M/MF with the smaller fin and less ‘squat’ stance of the ML. It features 2 Aphid IR missiles and 2 Apex one radar and one IR. The Soviet doctrine was to fire the IR missile and follow it with the radar missile (obviously it wouldn’t be the other way round!).

[X12A]

Very nice Tony, I do like that.

[TeeELL]

Very nice Tony, I do like that.

Thanks X12A.

Next up - MiG-23 BN, these were the first of the marque to be received by the FAR, it caused issues with the USA because the aircraft was nuclear capable - however the Cubans only received conventional weapons.

[X12A]

...and this one! The background was money well spent too Tony.