Tora tora

In 1990, the Philippine government headed by Cory Aquino experienced its worst crisis in the form of a coup attempt. The biggest, most violent one ever attempted. Battles were fought in and around the city of Manila. Even airstrikes were done by both sides of the coin. And we all watched on the sides.

Some of us closer than most. This model is of one of the rebel's aircraft. A North American T-28, Vietnam-vintage and refurbished for the PAF, painted black all over but with RAM-SFP (Reform the Armed Forces movement, Soldiers of the Filipino People) markings. I first saw this while watching on the roof of the old house while it strafed and fired rockets onto Camp Aguinaldo and Camp Bonifacio.

The government came down hard on to the mutineers. This aircraft, along with the rest of its compatriots, were destroyed by Phil Air Force F-5Es while parked in Cubi Point in Cavite. And the coup ended as abruptly as it began.