
Air Katanga Logo

DC-3 of the Avikat Katanga

The Republic of Katanga army is called Gendarmerie Katangaise, this Avikat was based at Luano airfield, Republic of Katanga. This Katanga Air Force started military operations with half a dozen of De Havilland Dove and two Douglas DC-3 (ex-Belgian Air force).


DC-3 of the Avikat Katanga

President Moïse TSHOMBE declared secession with the support of Belgium and the mining company.

The
registration of this DC-3 were KAT-O2 and KAT-03, later
reinforced by an ex-Swissair DC-3 (KAT-04 ex HB-IRL)
The majority of Avikat's airplanes were seized
by UN Force on August the 28, 1961 at Lubumbashi airport and Kolwezi airfield
became the Avikat Air Force Base. UN troops fought battles with Katangase Gendarmerie
in September and December 1961

FFSA
www.africafederation.net