20 missing spitfires may be found after 40yrs

nice find

British aviation experts are working on a project to bring back 20 World War Two Spitfires that have been stored underground in Burma for decades.

The aircraft were flown out to the Far East to support the Burma campaign towards the end of the war and were never actually used in conflict.
They were left at an RAF base in Burma and stored underground so that they could not fall into enemy hands.
The discovery made earlier this year follows years of work by a Lincolnshire farmer David Cundall, a Spitfire enthusiast, who has meticulously researched and located the missing aircraft.
"Two versions are mentioned in records. The Mk VIII has been described as the best of the Merlin-engined Spitfires and many pilots rated the Mk XIV, fitted with the Merlin’s successor, the Griffon engine as the best of breed. Both are rare birds.

[Cobbydaler]

Ahem...

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/35413689-post627.html

Although more info in your post

Originally Posted by Cobbydaler

Ahem...

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/35413689-post627.html

Although more info in your post

sorry ,didn't even realise we had a plane spotters forum

[danielf]

So were they actually found? I was under the impression the search is still on?

Originally Posted by danielf

So were they actually found? I was under the impression the search is still on?

http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16208791

yeah i think so

The discovery made earlier this year follows years of work by a Lincolnshire farmer David Cundall, a Spitfire enthusiast, who has meticulously researched and located the missing aircraft.

or does it mean they have discovered they where missing

[Cobbydaler]

I think it was discovered that they were in the area somewhere...

[danielf]

Originally Posted by Cobbydaler

I think it was discovered that they were in the area somewhere...

Ah, so they roughly know where the planes were hidden with a view to not being found easily by the enemy, and 'stored underground' actually means buried.

Twenty boxed, unassembled Spitfires sounds very interesting, but one has to wonder about the impact of 70 years of tropical humidity.

---------- Post added at 23:31 ---------- Previous post was at 23:30 ----------

Originally Posted by martyh

http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16208791

yeah i think so



or does it mean they have discovered they where missing

I think they were purposely hidden/buried to avoid them falling into enemy hands. They now seem to have a rough idea of where they were hidden.

From Cobby's link:

Originally Posted by bbc

British and Burmese authorities could work together to find 20 Spitfires buried in Burma at the end of the World War II, officials say.

The case of the missing planes was raised when PM David Cameron met Burmese President Thein Sein.

A Downing Street source said it was "hoped this will be an opportunity to work with the reforming Burmese government".

The exact location of the planes is unknown.

The planes were buried in 1945 by the RAF amid fears that they could either be used or destroyed by foreign forces, but in the intervening years they have not been located.

At the time they were unused, still in crates, and yet to be assembled.

It has been reported that experts from Leeds University and an academic based in Rangoon believe they may have identified the sites where the craft are concealed using sophisticated radar techniques.

[mertle]

Thats great news danielf I agree wonder the condition of them.

Wonder if they will give them battle of britain memorial for restoration or spares if they can be salvaged in decent order.

I just had dream a squadron spits back in the air

[Kymmy]

As these planes are yet to be found I'll alter the title..

On a personal note though some of the semi-official guys on the aviation forums are suggesting that these are earmarked as spares only and will never be rebuilt from the kits..

[mertle]

Originally Posted by Kymmy

As these planes are yet to be found I'll alter the title..

On a personal note though some of the semi-official guys on the aviation forums are suggesting that these are earmarked as spares only and will never be rebuilt from the kits..

thanks Kymmy

[Lord Nikon]

Look for Burmese ebay stores selling huge meccano kits with some assembly required...

[Kymmy]

Now deemed to be a myth

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21483187

[danielf]

Huh. So all of a sudden they've decided it was all speculation with no supporting evidence whatsoever?

Originally Posted by danielf

Huh. So all of a sudden they've decided it was all speculation with no supporting evidence whatsoever?

I know ,what a let down

[RB2004]

No spitfires but previously they found a crate?