U.S. Insignia Painted On Cuban Aircraft

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29342, 22 October 1960, Page 16

U.S. Insignia Painted On Cuban Aircraft

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

HAVANA, October 20. Cuba had repainted five of its military aircraft with United States insignia, apparently for use in a faked “incident,” a high diplomatic source told United Press International today. The disclosure coincided with the announcement that the United States Ambassador (Mr Philip Bonsall had been recalled to Washington for “an extended period of consultation” on the increasingly critical relations between the two countries, the agency said. . Cuba has accused the United States in the United Nations of preparing an "imminent armed invasion.” It was believed that the disguised Cuban planes were to be used in a faked “aggression” incident to bolster the Cuban charge, the news agency said.

It was the second time in as many months that high sources had reported Cuban plans to use painted-over aircraft to embarrass the United States. After the recent conference of Western Hemisphere Foreign Ministers in San Jose, Costa Rica, Cuban authorities painted over one of their American-built B-26 bombers, apparently as a “decoy.” Premature disclosure of the plan, which was believed to include a low-level flight ’ over Havana at the height of a mass rally, apparently led to its cancellation. In the latest incident, diplomatic sources said, the’ Cubans painted over British-built Sea Fury fighter aircraft and painted American flags on the sides and under the wings. The repainting job was done at the nearby San Antonio de Los Banos army air base, a £9,000,000 installation turned over to the Cubans by the United States at the end of World War 11.

The sources said the painting was done over the week-end and after British technicians who serviced the aircraft had been discharged, presumably so they would not be able to disclose the plot.

Earlier this month, the United States Navy complained that a Cuban Air Force Sea Fury had “buzzed” an American submarine repeatedly “in an aggressive and provocative manner” for 37 minutes off Key West. Florida The new Cuban charges of an “imminent armed invasion” by United States forces were identical to other similar accusations before the United Nations a month ago by Dr. Castro. But the present Cuban allegation asked for “immediate” United Nations consideration.

The Cuban Government press had been emphasising the theme of an “imminent" American invasion in recent days and increased Cuban military activity had been noticeable throughout the island. United Press International said.