If you haven’t yet, then reading this book is highly recommended in terms of a balanced and more informed view of the conflict, over the skies of Angola in the late 1970’s into the 1980’s. The efforts, willpower, and perseverance of both authors in producing this book, is to be applauded.
Both authors have extensive experience in matters aviation. The book is written from a Cuban perspective of the air war, as per the title, however the input from Lionel Reid and his sources in bringing about a holistic view of events, is where the importance of this book lies. It answers many questions and then again also raises some others, such is the nature of military history.
Included below is a link to the launch event of this book, at the SAAF Swartkops Museum in 2023. Cobus Toerien (SAAF Ret.) does the introduction, followed by Lionel Reid (ex-SAAF) and Sean Thackwray (SAAF Ret.) finishing off.
I've not finished the book yet, but thought to put some additional bits of information here.
The authors:-
Lieutenant-Colonel Eduardo Gonzales Sarria (Cuban Air Force Ret.)
- born in 1949 Guantanamo, Cuba
- qualified as a fighter pilot in 1971 in the former Soviet Union
- service career spanning 25 years
- Day and Night Flight Instructor on the MiG-23
- 'Master' accreditation within Cuban military aviation
Captain Lionel Reid (ex-SAAF)
- joined SAAF 1983
- trained on Harvards and Impalas
- SAAF Wings 1985
- 42 Sqn SAAF (Aermacchi AM.3 Bosbok)
- 19 Sqn SAAF (Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma)
- SAAF service 7 years
- currently flying for FlySafair
The Mig Diaries -
Friends of the SAAF Museum Presentation - September 2023
https://youtu.be/PQjBQOAVdYI?si=MPpvGGDcVsLDIbRv
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
