picture 219879

Theoretically the most powerful fighter-bombers of the FAP were 36 Su-22s of GA.11: these were held back for most of the Paquisha War, ready to fly air strikes against Ecuadorean air bases if necessary. The entire fleet was camouflaged in Afrika Mustard (FS30266) and field drab (FS30118) applied in very different patterns on top surfaces and sides, and light gull gray (FS36375) on undersurfaces. This example is shown in the configuration used for the reconnaissance of Mariscal Sucre, Manta, Taura and Ulpiano Paez air bases in Ecuador, on 30 January 1981: this included a pair of drop tanks on outboard underwing stations, a pair of R-3S missiles on inboard underwing stations, and the giant KKR-1 reconnaissance pod under the centreline. Inset is shown the crest of GA.11. (Artwork by Tom Cooper)