Brazilian pilots under RNAS service

Hello!

I recently discovered that some Brazilian pilots went to the war and flew with RNAS. Here are some information I have about them:

"Officers from the Army and Navy were sent to Britain, in January 1918, to receive flying training from the Royal Naval Air Service - RNAS (the former Royal Navy air corps). Those officers were trained in the naval air stations of Eastbourne, Lee-on-Solent and Calshot; two of them died in accidents. Afterwards, the Brazilian officers flew combat missions, on a flight of the newly-created Royal Air Force, composed by Brazilian, American and British airmen."

I know the name of a pilot only, 1st Lieutenant Eugenio da Silva Possolo. He died in a mid-air collision with his Camel.

Is it possible to know which RNAS squadrons flew from Plymouth in early 1918? I usually build only Central Powers Aircraft, but for obvious reasons I'd also build some Allied planes flown by Brazilians.

Thanks a lot

Merry Christmas to all

Marcio Campos
www.modelismo-ww1.cjb.net

If RFC is near enough for RNAS, there is mention in chapter 13,TRAMP ROYAL, by Michael Bruce, (Elek books, UK/ Ryerson Press, Canada, c.1954) of a Brazillian pilot in RFC, Raol Mendoza, being from RFC.[The author may have mis-identified the RAF]. He had a ranch near Rio Preto in Sao Paulo state, and was involved with the Paulistas, a "revolutionary" group protesting over taxes c. 1923. Raol's youngest son won a DFC in RAF Bombers in WW2.

[Dave_Kent]

Hello:

Here is a site that gives some info on early aviation in Brazil including the Great War. Hope there is something of interest.

Dave

http://www.rudnei.cunha.nom.br/FAB/eng/histprim.html

Dave,

thanks, but this site is exactly the one I quoted in my first message

Anyway, I advise you all to visit it. Rudnei Cunha made a wonderful work in researching the history of Brazilian Air Force.

All the best from Brazil

Marcio Campos
www.modelismo-ww1.cjb.net

[leo]

I am aware that brazilian flyers were in WWII. They flew p-47's if I recall correctly. Brazil entered the WWII on the side of the Allies. Did she also declare war in WWI? Were any Brazilian troops sent to Europe?

Leo,

Brazil declared war on the German Empire on 26 October 1917, after having many ships sunk by German submarines.

From the same link mentioned above in this thread: "The Brazilian Navy sent a task-force to Dakar (NE Africa), the Divisão Naval em Operações de Guerra, to perform convoy protection missions in an area spanning from Dakar to Gibraltar."

And, going to WWII, yes, our pilots flew P-47 in Italy. There's a wonderful documentary on this subject, called Senta a Pua! ("Hit Them Hard!", the motto of Brazilian squadron). It was shown in NY some time ago, but I wonder if it's available in VHS/DVD in the United States.

All the best from Brazil

Marcio Campos
www.modelismo-ww1.cjb.net