The Vickers Vespa was a British army cooperation biplane designed and built by Vickers Limited in the 1920s. While not adopted by Britain's Royal Air Force, small numbers were bought by the Irish Free State and Bolivia, the latter of which used the type during the Chaco War. One modified Vespa was used to set a world altitude record of 43,976 ft (13,407 m) in September 1932.
Vickers Vespa
Image: Vickers Vespa side view
The Chaco War was fought from 1932 to 1935 between Bolivia and Paraguay, over the control of the northern part of the Gran Chaco region of South America, which was thought to be rich in oil. The war is also referred to as La Guerra de la Sed in literary circles since it was fought in the semi-arid Chaco. The bloodiest interstate military conflict fought in South America in the 20th century, it was fought between two of its poorest countries, both of which had lost territory to neighbours in 19th-century wars.
Gaz-AA trucks, a Soviet version of the Ford Model AA used by both armies to resupply their troops
One of the key Paraguayan assets was the gunboat Humaitá, shown here shortly after being launched in Italy, without its main armament.
Sketch showing the Paraguayan counterattack on Pitiantutá Lake
Vickers 6-ton similar to those deployed by the Bolivian army in the Chaco War