BajaNomad - Mexican airforce buys vintage WWII planes?

Mexican airforce buys vintage WWII planes?

astrobaja - 8-31-2014 at 11:50 AM

Has anyone read if its true that Mexico has purchased some vintage American WWII fighter planes to patrol in the anti narco campaign? We had some guests from TJ that stayed with us and they were saying there was a bit of controversy as whether it was a good decision or not. Today we saw what looked like a P-40 Tomahawk flying over our house patrolling the area. It sounded like it was a high horsepower motor!! If so they probably no longer have the 8, 50 cal machine guns...

villafontana - 8-31-2014 at 11:57 AM

If u can read spanish, this is the article about the purchase! I was astonished to read this. Give them time and their next purchase is gonna be Red Baron's planes! :no:

http://www.cadenanoticias.mx/nota.php?cont=notas&nota=13...

mtgoat666 - 8-31-2014 at 12:07 PM

well, they are brand new airplanes. look like nice planes. bet they are pretty fast and fun to fly. should be good planes for scouting and chasing drug planes.

villafontana - 8-31-2014 at 12:15 PM

They maybe brand new, but damn traffickers have SAM's, and even so u dont need a SAM to bring down a plane that light, u only need a Barret for that purpose.

LancairDriver - 8-31-2014 at 01:02 PM

The aircraft being seen are probably the Beechcraft T-6 Texan, used by the USAF and Navy for training new pilots. It is a turboprop aircraft based on the Pilotus PC-9, a proven aircraft.
The T6-C is used by the Mexican Air force as a light attack, armed reconnaissance as well as training aircraft. An ideal economical aircraft for combatting the Drug war in Mexico. Probably bought with US Aid.

DENNIS - 8-31-2014 at 01:12 PM

For years, and perhaps today, the AF in Ensenada would fly around in six or eight trainers made in Belgium. As time passed there would be fewer in the sky, cannibalized for parts, I suppose. They were said to be a superior machine.

astrobaja - 9-1-2014 at 01:11 PM

wow, nice plane!! 1000+ hp and super manuverable! We saw one hot on the tail of another much slower plane about a week ago, they flew about 500 feet right over our house!

LancairDriver

capt. mike - 9-2-2014 at 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LancairDriver
The aircraft being seen are probably the Beechcraft T-6 Texan, used by the USAF and Navy for training new pilots. It is a turboprop aircraft based on the Pilotus PC-9, a proven aircraft.
The T6-C is used by the Mexican Air force as a light attack, armed reconnaissance as well as training aircraft. An ideal economical aircraft for combatting the Drug war in Mexico. Probably bought with US Aid.

is 100% correct. Modern Beech trainers with turbine prop engines. Successor to the venerable Mentor that had a TIO-550 Continental engine.

JESSE - 9-3-2014 at 03:41 PM

These little planes can do a lot of damage

David K - 9-3-2014 at 04:49 PM

Thank you JESSE! :bounce:

rts551 - 9-4-2014 at 08:45 AM

Quote:

Actually I think they were T34's that we sold to them used.

LancairDriver - 9-4-2014 at 09:31 AM

From Wikipedia-

Mexico
On 9 January 2012, Mexico purchased six T-6C+ aircraft for the Mexican Air Force to begin replacing their Pilatus PC-7 trainers.[19] On 24 October 2013, Hawker Beechcraft announced a follow-on order of an additional six T-6C+ aircraft for the Mexican Air Force, bringing the total ordered to 12.[20] The Mexican Navy also ordered two T-6C+ Trainers in March 2014.[21]

capt. mike - 9-4-2014 at 11:33 AM

The T-34s could not have easily or cheaply been converted to a turbo-prop.

T-6 is correct. Ready to go out of the box.