The First Mexican Fairchild FC-2 Final Version
Chapter Two The First Mexican Fairchild FC-2, NC998, M-SCOE This amazing clear photograph was taken at Balbuena Airfield, Mexico City, on 20 December 1927, and has remained in the private collection of the family of pilot Luis Noriega Medrano, [far left] for the past ninety years. At first, the image only appears to be three Mexican pilots in front of an old Mexican air- craft, however, it is a rare image captured by an unknown photographer from “Estudio Cortes” in Mexico City. The aircraft was an American built high- wing monoplane used for transporting passengers and cargo, known as the FC-2, later designed into the more famous Fairchild model 71. The military pilot in the middle, I believe is Teniente [Lieutenant] Alfonso Gandarille Gra- cia, who would later fly anti-submarine patrols with Luis Noriega, protecting Mexican shipping from German attacks in WWII. The pilot on the right could be Mayor [Major] Alberto Castrejon of the Mexican Aviation Arm. Pilot Luis Noriega [left] is the private pilot of Mexican President Calles. These three Mexican pilots are waiting for the arrival of four very special guests, Dwight W. Morrow, the U. S. Ambassador in Mexico, the President of Mexico, Plu- tarco Elias Calles, Mayor [Major] Alvaro Obregon, the ex-president of Mex- ico, and American pilot Charles A. Lindbergh. Lindbergh will soon pilot this Fairchild FC-2, serial M-SCOE, on three flights over Mexico City, entertain- ing his special passengers. While this image contains a huge amount of his- tory, it is just a small beginning of early Mexican aviation.
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