Last warrior

Air Classics, Jan 2003

DURING 1969, AN IMPROBABLE AIR WAR TOOK PLACE WHICH PITTED THE LAST OPERATIONAL PROPELLER-DRIVEN FIGHTERS IN DEADLY AIR COMBAT

After World War Two, the Fuerza Aerea Hondurena was a rag-tag force like the majority of Latin American air arms. Taking advantage of the massive sales of surplus American military aircraft at extremely low prices, the FAH purchased some Beech AT- lIs and Boeing PT-17s. More hostile equipment later arrived in the form of a small, and strange, batch of Lockheed Lightnings and Bell Kingcobras. These aircraft, however, achieved extremely low utilization and it was obvious that some form of more reliable aircraft was needed. Accordingly, in 1956, the FAH was able to purchase ten Vought Corsairs. These aircraft were F4U-5s and comprised straight -5, 5N, and 5NL variants. Fitted with 20mm cannon, these aircraft were a potent new addition to the FAH although initial serviceability was low due to lack of pilots, spares, and 20mm ammunition!

Seeking to expand their Corsair force, surviving P-38s and P63s eventually went back to the United States in 1959 as part payment for another batch of Corsairs. Working through eccentric military aircraft broker Bob Bean, the FAH obtained nine RU-4 Corsairs. These aircraft had been in storage at NAF Litchfield Park in Arizona and were taken to Bean's facility at Blythe, California, where they received spray can overhauls and temporary US civil registrations for the flight to Toncontin Field at Tegucigalpa.

FAH pilots enjoyed their new mounts but there were accidents and a couple of the aircraft were grounded to serve as a source for parts. By mid-1965, the operational Corsair force numbered 14 aircraft. Honduras has had hostile relations with neighboring El Salvador for many years and in the late 1960s tensions were increased because of various political problems and the fact illegal immigrants from El Salvador were flooding into Honduras. Both countries were, and are, definitely third world and these problems reached a flash point during June 1969 when Honduras beat El Salvador in a World Cup soccer game. This would result in an incident that became known, somewhat incorrectly, as the Soccer War.

At the start of July 1969, limited border fighting began to take place and by mid-July, Salvadoran armed forces crossed the Honduran border in strength. The FAH was taken totally by surprise when a Fuerza Aerea Salvadorena Gooney Bird overflew Toncontin Field as FAS personnel rolled bombs out of the open cargo door. FAH Corsairs were scrambled but failed to make an intercept. At this time, the FAS was operating a limited number of Goodyear FG-1D Corsairs as well as Mustangs - a dozen of which had been obtained illegally from civilian owners in the US.

Over the next few days, both sides made limited strikes on each others ground forces but damage was relatively minimal. History was made on 17 July, when the last aerial combat between WWII fighters took place. Major Fernando Soto Henriquez was on patrol in F4U-5 FAH 609 when he and a wingman bounced a pair of FAS Mustangs. A burst from the Major's 20mm cannon took the wing off of one Mustang. The Major became a national hero and FAH 609 was credited with two further victories on the same day - some say a Mustang and a Corsair, others state two Corsairs but the facts are blurred. The Organization of American States declared El Salvador as the aggressor and plans were underway for major sanctions against the nation but El Salvador agreed to withdraw its troops. Except for its air force, the military forces of Honduras faired poorly and this would lead to the acquisition of more modem equipment for the air force.

When the surviving Corsair fleet was purchased by Howard Par