Hobby Master Archive

On January 1, 1959 when Cuban President Batista was overthrown by Fidel Castro’s Cuban Revolution forces the Fuerza Aerea Revolucionara (Revolutionary Air Force) was formed. After the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 the name was changed to Air Defense Anti Revolutionary Armed Forces (DAAFAR) in 1963. The role of the DAAFAR was to protect Cuban airspace, support the Cuban army and navy. New Years Day 1962 Cuba revealed about 60 fighter aircraft they had received from Russia. U.S. Intelligence estimated these 60 aircraft were comprised of MiG-15bis, MiG-17s and a small number of MiG-19s. These fighters were retired in 1991 but the Escuela de Aviacion Militar continued to use the trainers until 1998.