WIX Archives
Re: Ryan STA
Posted by Tulio on Thu Jul 03, 2003 11:02:41 PM
In reply top Re: Ryan STA posted by Paul Stewart on Thu Jul 03, 2003 07:58:24 PM
The Cuerpo de Aeronautica Militar (CAM - Military Aeronautical Corps) of Guatemala, operated 12 Ryan STAs, sometimes referred to as STMs.
These were delivered in 1938 - in two batches, the first six were not armed, while the second batch were. A retro-fit kit was ordered with the second batch, and all the STAs were then armed. I have great photos of these little planes, which served in Guatemala as "light fighters" and had the front canopy faired over for this purpose.
The STAs served in Guatemala until the mid 1940s, and eventually were disassembled and stored. There are few survivors documented, one at the San Diego Aerospace Museum and a two or three in private hands.
If you have more information regarding this particular Ryan, I would be really grateful to get it. I have been working for the better part of four years, researching an article on the CAM during 1939, and I am getting close to publication in our website.
Instead of the British "fake" fighter colors as it appeared on the movie, it would be neat to see this plane painted in the colors of the air arm where it served. It is wishful thinking, but . . .
saludos,
Tulio