Costa Rican Military Air Force

Roundel of the Costa Rican Military Air Force

The Costa Rican Air Force was the former air force of Costa Rica. It was active until 1947-1949 but was reformed in 1955 during the Nicaragua-supported Calderonista Invasion of Costa Rica.

History

The Costa Rican Air Force was formed before Costa Rica abolished its army. Costa Rica created an air force because of the revolution in Costa Rica that Nicaragua saw as a threat to the Somoza regime. The Air Force's first aircraft was the Lockheed F-5 Lighting Photo surveillance aircraft. The country bought an old American SBD Dauntless which arrived in poor condition. In 1949 the air force was officially disbanded. In 1955 Nicaragua "invaded" Costa Rica, at that time Nicaragua had a capable air force so Costa Rica rushed to build one, but the only willing supplier was the US which supplied four F-51 Mustang's during the conflict. The only other aircraft active was a C-46 Commando which was taken from LSCA airlines.[1]

Inventory

During 1955:

Aircraft Origin Variant Number Notes
P-51 Mustang USA F-51 4
C-46 Commando USA 1 Impressed into service

From 1947-1949

Aircraft Origin Variant Number Notes
F-5 Lightning USA F-5 1
SBD Dauntless USA 1 Donated by the US in bad condition

Aftermath

After the war Costa Rica kept is air force under the name Fuerza aérea de las fuerzas públicas and it operated a DCH-4 Caribou and a Mi-8.

Aircraft Origen Variant Number Notes
DCH-4 Caribou Canada 1
Mi-8 USSR Mi-17 1

See also

References

  1. ↑ Hagedorn, Dan. Latin American air wars and aircraft 1912-1969. Hikoki Publications. p. 137.
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