Headed to Guatemala in May...anything of interest?

[Rauhbatz]

Hi all...headed south of the border to Guatemala in May..part of an abroad experience for my daughter.

Just read a nice article by Rodrigo Palacios about the p51 built from parts just outside the airport.

Any other interesting things too see down there. Maybe I can get some parts for our P51 Red Nose... :0

[Tulio]

The P-51 is NOT built from parts. It is the former 360, painted as 336. The only survivor of some 30 Mustangs that saw service there. There have been people through the years that have corrupted local officials and have managed to buy parts from that airplane.

It is considered a national asset and as such, not for sale.

Inside the airport, there is a Douglas B-26, a few C-47s, a T-6G (formerly from Uruguay, but painted in fake FAG-209 markings) a T-33, hulks of Arava Israeli-built transports, Pilatus PC-7s.

In the same street outside of the Guatemalan Air Force's main base, where the P-51 is exhibited, there is also a Cessna A-37B, a Sikorsky H-19 and I think, a tail-less UH-1H.

There are IIRC two Stearmans based there, as well as a couple of T-28s.

Word of advice: Crime is rampant, more so than it used to be. Beware.

Honduras is also rife with crime, but if you manage a visit to the Toncontin Airport, there is an aviation museum there, with an F4-U5 Corsair, T-28, C-45, C-46, T-6, BT-13 and others that I do not remember at this time.

Saludos,


Tulio

[Rauhbatz]

Hi Tulio...thanks for the insights. Will look forward to seeing that P-51....likely the same national treasure as the F4u of Dr Soto in Honduras...

We are going to stay in San Pedro west of G-city....seems more rural but will keep our ears & eyes open...

[lucky52]

Please be careful. An American girl was killed down there a few months ago while doing yoga while her friends went horse riding.

[Tulio]

Forgot to mention that there is a military museum, located at the "Centro Cultural Miguel Angel Asturias" (Teatro Nacional) in the Centro Civico area, where a military fort from the XIX century was located atop a hill. Besides the usual military stuff inside, there are a Cessna A-37B and a Bell UH-1H on the grounds, as well as old Krupp mountain artillery and assorted weaponry. Well worth the trip. Centrally located.

Some of my photos, aside from the Mustang, the other aircraft and remains, are inside the Military Air Base at La Aurora.

The "Wash the Alpha" event took place before the aviation day in 2008.

Saludos,


Tulio

Attachments

[Tulio]

And, two more.

Attachments

[Rauhbatz]

Hi Tulio...headed to Gautemala tomorrow...hope to see the P-51 on the way to San Pedro...where is it at in relation to the passenger airport entrance? Will look for it on Google Earth...

[Rauhbatz]

I found it look at your pictures...its at the corner of 11 Calle and Avidena Hindcape...

Google shows its still being camo...

https://www.google.com/maps/place/GUA/@ ... 7463?hl=en


Will try to swing by and see it either on the way out or back...

[florida.warbirds]

If you see any tanks, snap a picture and let me know. The AFV guys are updating the world catalog and this could help.

[Rauhbatz]

Will do...hopefully none of them rolling down the street!

[Steve T]

To clarify a detail several posts up, Mustang 360/336 is the last FAG Mustang still in the country, but not the only extant ex-FAG P-51; several others went Stateside after retirement, most notably a group that spent decades as time-capsule survivors in Wilson Edwards' hangars in Texas.

I've got a soft spot for the Guatemalan Mustangs for a couple reasons; one, some (all??) of them were ex-RCAF auxiliary squadron Mustang 4s, one of those squadrons being 424 Hamilton Tigers based at Mt.Hope where CWH now is; two, a former colleague of mine hailed from Guatemala originally, and once got me several nice photos of the displayed Mustang (and a nearby H-19) during a visit "home" in the 90s. (In exchange I did him a painting of an FAG Mustang in flight.) Anyone got any info on the RCAF history of 360/336, if she has such?

S.

[Tulio]

Rauhbatz, just saw your posting. I hope you will enjoy your stay.

S., I will provide you some info and images on 360 / 336. I should have stated that 360 / 336 is the only survivor in Guatemala, being very much aware of the other Mustangs bought by Dr Hull, and then sold to Connie Edwards.


My place is in disarray due to recent flooding, soo please be patient.


I have been researching the Canadian side of the Guatemalan Mustangs, without much to show.


Saludos,


Tulio

Please PM me your email address for the photos.

[Rauhbatz]

Made it back from guatemala. ..saw some interesting birds on the east ramp including the t33...but regrets no time to see the P51 there...


Will look to post a few pics layer this week..

BTW a c17 was there...could be with folks to help w the belieze border tensions

[Tulio]

Probably the airplane doing the milk run for the embassies of the region.

Welcome back home!


Saludos,


Tulio

[Rauhbatz]

Thanks Tulio! The pics posted here were very helpful to know what to look for...