THE FORGOTTEN AMERICAN VOLUNTEER GROUP

I velivoli e I volontari americani coinvolti nel conflitto armato tra la Repubblica della Colombia e la Repubblica del Perù che si è svolto tra il 1º settembre 1932 e il 24 maggio 1933. Rare illustrazioni dell’epoca.

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While volumes have been devoted to the Legendary "Flying Tigers," the ultimate American Volunteer Group, another virtually unknown band of flyers preceded them in 1932, in an entirely different conflict and even more remote part of the world.

When Colombia and Peru became embroiled in what is usual y cited as the "Leticia Affair," a Little-heralded arms race ensued as the political and nationalistic forces of the two nations turned to force of arms to settle a territorial dispute. The Colombians engaged expatriate German veterans of World War One and the highly efficient SCADTA organization but became wary of the power held by these elements, especially when mated with some of the most state­ of-the-art German aircraft available at the time.  The hard-charging Curtiss-Wright Export Corporation saw an opening and soon had not only sold the Colombians on an impressive assortment of capable aircraft types with which they could train an air force and go to war with confidence, but also an American cadre to bridge the gap until their own crews were ready. Illustrated with rare contemporary illustrations, this books tells the fascinating story of these oft-forgotten men and the aircraft they flew.