View Full Version : Meiktila, Burma. Wozzat?
Agaricus bisporus
27th Nov 2012, 21:57
No doubt about the big one, but one of the others looks awfully like a Spitfire. Is the other a Tomahawk - they operated in the area in support of the 14th Army?
Are they known to revere Western historic types? (The above ground ones, of course)
Any guesses on what the wrecks just NW of the octagon are?
Google Earth
20°52'59.59" N 95°53'29.95" E
Theres probably a way of linking but I don't know how.
edit.
Just found a F Mk XV Seafire there, PR426 - apparently its the Burmese Air Force Museum. Doesn't look geared up for visitors.
albatross
28th Nov 2012, 14:33
Well one of the wrecks to the NW sure resembles a wings off C-47/Dak/DC-3
As to the Spit it could be "Seafire MK XV UB-415 G-15-226 1952 ex PR422, No. 1 Sqdn, Hmwabi AB 1953/54. Gate guardian at Hmwabi by 1960, at Meiktila 1995. In 1996, it was painted as `UB-414´, and has since then been used as a travelling exhibit."
Could it be a Sea Fury (Unlikely I know) there is one in the Military museum in Yangon / Rangoon. (Nice little museum that!)?
There is quite an interesting display about a B-24 (PB4Y Privateer) shoot down by a Burmese Sea Fury one of which "UB471" is on display. Too long since my visit to remember the date and details. Found at the dreaded Wikipedia "On 15 February 1961, a Republic of China Air Force Consolidated PB4Y Privateer (423) was shot down by Burmese Hawker Sea Fury fighter aircraft, near the Thai-Burmese border, killing the crew of five. Two other crew members were taken prisoner. This aircraft was carrying supplies for Chinese Kuomintang forces fighting in northern Burma" The Sea Fury may have been" UB466 noted as Shot down on 15 February 1961.
File:Sea Fury FB11 Silh.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sea_Fury_FB11_Silh.jpg)
As to the second one could it be "Hunting Percival Provost Mk 53-237 PAC/F/456, 1065 later 2237, Noted somewhere in "central" Myanmar around 2002."
To the West of the octagon along the road past the athletic field At 20°53'3.74" N 95°51'51.94" E is ( I think) a Lockheed AT-33
I think it is "3515 Gate guard at Meiktila AB. Noted as such in October 2000."
Info on ac found at
Burma/Myanmar Air Force Aircraft (http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/aa-eastasia/burma/burma-af-aircraft.htm)
and Hawker Sea Fury - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawker_Sea_Fury)
Well now my coffee is cold so I have to make another. Interesting thread as i worked in Myanmar but mostly to the South and also to the west of Yangon.
Cheers
Albatross
Agaricus bisporus
28th Nov 2012, 17:23
Thats right buddy, historic aircraft in Burma that are both real and above ground.
TEEEJ
28th Nov 2012, 19:55
AB,
Link to your coords. Just copy the url from the link symbol. You can choose from a short or standard link.
20°52'59.59" N 95°53'29.95" E - Google Maps (http://goo.gl/maps/LRZFf)
Mark22
3rd Feb 2013, 16:15
It is indeed Seafire XV PR422/UB415 but painted as 'UB414'.
They have shuffled the aircraft about since this image was taken but your other aircraft will the Provost 2237...that is what it says on the tin.
Mark
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/Mark12/15-PR422-03001aPeterArnoldColl_zps55ff4d17.jpg
Agaricus bisporus
5th Feb 2013, 13:42
Anything to tell about the rest of the museum? Did you visit?
Mark22
5th Feb 2013, 14:05
It is not a museum.
Despite several attempts I have not been able to get security clearance to visit and examine.
It is actually the only known complete Spitfire/Seafire in the world that I have not seen and photographed. :sad:
Mark22
Agaricus bisporus
6th Feb 2013, 20:02
It is not a museum.
Oh! Various references on the internet suggest it is so I wonder where that arose?
Mark22
6th Feb 2013, 21:55
This probably came about with my writings on the Burmese Spitfires following visits in 1995 and 1996.
The Spitfire was hangared at that time and the Burmese referred to it as a Museum display but only for Airforce personnel and senior military.
Mark22
Mark
The "complete Spitfire/Seafire"
Is it likely to ever be restored and flown again ?
Mark22
7th Feb 2013, 08:44
At one time it looked like it might be for sale but with all this spotlight on buried Spitfires and their values...who knows?
Mark22
India Four Two
10th Feb 2013, 04:16
Is it likely to ever be restored and flown again ?
Yes, but you would have to put it in a crate and bury it first. ;)
Vitesse
11th Feb 2013, 10:18
Just in case anyone is not aware, Meiktila was the site of some serious fighting during WW2.
Battle of Meiktila and Mandalay - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Meiktila_and_Mandalay#Japanese_siege_of_Meiktila)
India Four Two
11th Feb 2013, 11:34
A further slight thread drift.
I can thoroughly recommend "Quartered Safe Out Here" by George MacDonald Fraser (the Flashman author). It is an account of his experiences as a private with a Border Regiment in Burma.
Agaricus bisporus
11th Feb 2013, 14:57
Second that! Probably the best description of infantry warfare to come out if WWII.
Gritty, realistic, unashamed, unvarnished. Brilliant. "Fookin" brilliant!
albatross
11th Feb 2013, 16:09
True "Quartered Safe Out Here" is a very good book!
ISBN 0 00 272687 4
For Your Tomorrow
- Canadians and the Burma Campaign 1941-1945
By Robert H. Farquharson
ISBN 1-4120-1536-7
Is also a good read.
Cheers
Albatross
India Four Two
13th Feb 2013, 11:28
Gritty, realistic, unashamed, unvarnished. Brilliant. "Fookin" brilliant!
Ab,
Absolutely and also quite funny in places. Who can forget Grandarse?
The book was a revelation for me. My dad was a tank driver with the 3rd Carabiniers at Imphal. Although he became very involved with the Burma Star Association later in life, he talked very little about his experiences.
It was only after reading "Quartered Safe Out Here" that I began to get an understanding of what he must have went through.