Colombian A-37's and a bad civilian crash in Panama.

[Brad]

I was down at a couple of fields in Colombia today. It looks like all their A-37's either have been or are being painted in the low vis gray. I sure think they looked better in camoflage. While we were waiting to take off, I went over and watched them crank up. Three of them took off loaded with rockets, going out to wreak havoc on the drug folks. I visited with some of the crews, but it wasn't much of a conversation. None of them spoke very good English and I know just about enough Spanish to get my throat cut!

On a not so pleasent note: Early this morning (3Jul04) an American registered corporate jet of some kind crashed into a hanger and burned on landing here in Panama, not to far from my plane. It was pretty nasty, seven people on the plane died.

[Tulio]

The Colombian government has given the go-ahead to replace the A-37Bs and the OV-10s, and also some helicopters. The amount to be used is of up to US$ 234.5 million. Candidates include the Super Tucano, the Raytheon Texan II and others.

There will be soon, some A-37s and OV-10s for sale . . .

Re: Panama:

Air Ambulance aircraft crashed, killing four onboard and 2 inside a hangar. I understand that the hangar housed fire-fighting equipment at the Tocumen airport.

Saludos,


Tulio