Brazilian fighter

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Hi Brian! Sorry for the delay! Here´s the information I got:
"On 11th September 1933, by Ministerial Order, the 1st Navy´s Observation Flotille ( 1ª Flotilha de Observação ) was created with 12 Vought Corsair acft. The unit was divided in two Squadrons, 6 acft each one, based indenpendently at Rio de Janeiro and Santa Catarina ( SSE of Brazil ). Later this Observation Flotille was regrouped with the remaining Boeing P-12 fighters on a mixed Combat and Observation Group that was later finally disbanded in August 1940.
Brazilian System of Defense was then divided in 3 Air Spaces ( 3 Zonas Aéreas - in original portuguese ). The 1st Air Zone had its HQ at Rio de Janeiro and comprised the following Air Regiments ( Regimentos Aéreos ):
a) 1° Regimento de Aviação at Rio de Janeiro
b) 6° Regimento de Aviação at RECIFE ( Officer Commanding: Captain José Sampaio de Macedo ). Later this Regiment was transfered to FORTALEZA ( Ceará State )
c) 7° Regimento de Aviação at Belém ( PARÁ State ) who has amphibious aircrafts

On the 26th November 1935, a Communist small Revolution started up at RECIFE and Natal. Naval as well as Military Aviation took action against the insurgents ( military people also involved ) and 3 Vought Corsairs under the command of Captain José de Souza Prata flew missions against the Communists at RECIFE.

On pg 191 from the book of Air Marshall Nelson Freire Lavenère-Wanderley we do have this information: "On December 1939, Vought Corsair aircraft were dispatched as independent units to RECIFE and Belém airbases to fly recon and anti-sub patrols alongside Brazilian Territorial Waters".

This is the sole information I got, so probably the Corsairs came from the 6° Regimento de Aviação at RECIFE. However I do not know who was the OC at that time! I am enclosing some useful address to you here, although I do guess it is easier for me to got information at PRO at Kew or the Bundesarchiv than to get information on my own country about our Brazilian Air Force! You can try, however:
CECOMSAER
Centro de Comunicação Social da Aeronáutica
Esplanada dos Ministérios, Bloco M, 7° Andar
70045-900 Brasília-DF
BRAZIL
email: imprensa@fab.mil.br

They can inform you or send you information that I do not have in hands. Maybe you will be able to find the original 6° Regimento logbooks or records!
Best wishes and sorry for not finding the name of the crew involved on the incident!
Friendly yours
Adriano Baumgartner

[Brian]

Many thanks for the update, Adriano.

Your help has been excellent and I don't think I need to pursue this incident further.

Sincere thanks - and safe flying.
Cheers
Brian

[jhbrs3]

Hello Brian!
I just saw your post and the answers now but i think i can help you. Firstly all data from Adriano are correct. therefore being a researcher of FAB in this historical period, I didn't found any trace of this episode in known archives. Although the Brazilian Aerospace Museum have a extensive archive they don't have a accessible online way to find so detailed information unless in person. But I have a contact with a former MUSAL director Brig. Araguarino, a passionate researcher and told about your topic. He promised me to find anything about as soon as possible. Believe me, if someone can find he's the man! So, let's give him some time.
By the way I am writing a book about Natal base that was the LARGEST US AAF/NAVY base outside american territory in WW2. Surprisingly few people know about this!
Best
Joao

[Brian]

Many thanks Joao

Your efforts are very much appreciated and I look forward to any additional information that may come to light.

Best wihes
Brian