British Combat Aircraft in Latin America

This book covers the story of all the British military aircraft that served in Latin America since 1940. Though the presence of British combat types is now almost gone from the skies over Latin America, its legacy will last for a long time. After World War 2, Britain was happy to sell the most modern equipment to the region giving it an advantage over the United States, hitherto the main provider of planes to Latin American air forces. This was one of the main reasons why many air forces chose to buy British combat aircraft up to the 1970s. In many countries Gloster Meteors or de Havilland Vampires were the first jet combat aircraft, while the Argentina's Avro Lancasters and Lincolns was once the most potent bomber force in Latin America. BAC Canberras had five South American operators, were the only jet bombers in use in the region and saw action several times. Combat activity by British types include Argentine planes used during the 1955 revolution and ironically Argentine Canberras in action during the Malvinas/Falklands War against British forces, Cuban Sea Furies over the Bay of Pigs, Peruvian Canberras in the conflicts with Ecuador, Chilean Hunters during the 1973 coup d'etat, Dominican Vampires, Mosquitoes and Beaufighters in internal struggles

“"Let's get to the point: anyone interested in the worldwide history of British aviation needs this spectacular study. Period."”

-- (09/23/2019)

Born in June 1977 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Santiago started his career as a photographer in aviation and defence journalism in 1997. In 2002 he received the title of journalist in the Argentine Catholic University. He has published his material in more than 70 different media around the world, writing as a correspondent for fourteen magazines and permanent contributor for two Argentine aviation and defence magazines. He specialises in Latin American aviation and defence matters (both historic and recent), and manages the main defence and aviation archive in Argentina, providing material for more than 40 magazines around the world. He has published thirteen books in six countries and contributed to many others. Santiago has travelled to most Latin American countries and Europe, working with most of the Latin American Armed Forces. He now lives in Buenos Aires with his two sons and daughter.

In the aftermath of World War II, Britain had some of the world's most advanced military aircraft, and the decision to start selling its modern warplanes to Latin America gave it an advantage over the United States who had been the main provider of planes to Latin American air forces until that point. This was one of the main reasons why so many South American air forces chose to buy British combat aircraft right into the 1970s. In many South American countries, their first jet combat aircraft were British, while the Argentina's Avro Lancasters and Lincolns gave it the most potent bomber force in Latin America. BAC Canberras had five South American operators, and as the only jet bombers in use in the region, they saw action several times. Combat activity by British types include Argentine planes used during the 1955 revolution and ironically Argentine Canberras in action against British forces during the Malvinas/Falklands War. Exported British aircraft also saw action over the Bay of Pigs in Cuba, in the Peruvian conflicts with Ecuador, during the Chilean 1973 coup d'etat, as well as in various internal struggles. Meticulously researched and featuring numerous illustrations, British Combat Aircraft in Latin America is a remarkable book and a fascinating study on a little known aspect of military aviation history. Though British combat types is now almost gone from the skies over Latin America, their legacy will last for a very long time.

This book covers the story of all the British military aircraft that served in Latin America since 1940.

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