WIX Archives
Re: Yes, it is from the Smithsonian...
Posted by Gregory on Tue Nov 18, 2003 03:55:13 PM
In reply top Yes, it is from the Smithsonian... posted by Mike Henniger on Tue Nov 18, 2003 02:55:11 PM
As a kid, one of my favourite family trips was to Fall River, Mass. The USS Massachussets was moored there and displayed a NASM-owned Kingfisher on the catapult. The last time I was there (ten years ago?) the Kingfisher had gone.
Also, let us not forget the rare landplane Kingfisher displayed in Cuba, at the Museo de la Revolucion in Habana. According to the folklore, this aircraft fell into Castro's hands in November 1958 and was repeatedly flown by pilot Tablada ob various bombing sorties. The Kingfisher is also said to have bombed Sagua de Tanama on 20 November 1959, and Tablada fell during an air strike over the Bay of Pigs bridge head.
I have never been to Cuba but all this is reported in the latest issue of the "Speciale Giovani" supplement to the Italian Air Force magazine.
Gregory