picture 178940

The Hughes/McDonnell MD.500D helicopters were nick-named ‘Guardiancillo’ in service with the FAS. This one was acquired in 1983, by the defection of Commander Bravo from Nicaragua. He landed at the headquarters of the 6th Infantry Brigade in Usulután (city), sold it to the Salvadoran armed forces for US$ 700,000, then travelled directly to the Ilopango Airport and took the first aircraft to Miami in the USA. As of 1984, this MD.500D was painted as illustrated here: in tan and olive drab, with a white serial number 30. Meanwhile, it was armed with a mini gun calibre 7.62mm. It served until 21 January 2005, when it crashed due to engine failure. (Artwork by Luca Canossa)