2026Centenary of the Madrid-Manila Air Raid, 1926-2026 - Set

THE MADRID-MANILA RAID BY THE “ELCANO” SQUADRON (APRIL-MAY 1926) At the end of 1924, a group of Spanish military aviators presented a proposal to the command to carry out an air raid to the Philippines, seeking to increase national prestige by showcasing the country's aeronautical advancements. The project received the approval of the authorities, but the trip had to be postponed until 1926 due to delays by Breguet in the delivery of the aircraft to be used, the Breguet XIX biplanes. The squadron, named the “Elcano Squadron” in honor of the man who completed the first circumnavigation of the world (1519-1522) with a stop in the Philippines, consisted of three Breguet XIX aircraft, ready to begin their voyage from Cuatro Vientos (Madrid) on April 5, 1926. The crews of each aircraft were as follows: