Buried Spitfires announcement (Merged!)

[Dave Homewood]

Apologies, I had forgotten about the Japanese-based Corsairs being burned. But they were in the minority compared with most of those that survived for decades at Rukuhia.

[The Red Baron]

The whole story in a nutshell....


After hearing the story of the buried planes, he sought out eyewitness accounts from American and British service personnel, as well as local people, who told him how scores of brand new Mark XIV Spitfires were buried in 1945 under the orders of Lord Mountbatten.

He said one local Burmese man recalled how, as a 15-year-old, he and his father had transported timber that had been used as the Spitfires were buried. The local man led him to the spot where the planes had been put.
Clues found

But aside from these eyewitnesses, all the experts have uncovered so far are tantalising signs of increased electrical conductivity found in two areas during an electromagnetic survey.

This could in turn indicate the presence of buried metal at around 10 metres deep.

Project archaeologist Andy Brockman accepted the search for the aircraft shipped in for the war with Japan could turn into a wild goose chase, but added: "It could also be one of the most fascinating discoveries in aviation archaeology."
Results of electromagnetic survey An electromagnetic survey of the site in Burma

He likened the project to a crime scene saying his interest is in converting speculation and rumour into "facts on the ground".

"We have no conclusive evidence about how the Spitfires arrived in Burma - or if they arrived at all. What we are here to do is resolve that."
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20515659


End of the war,put me down for its unlikely they went to the trouble of burying them 30 feet under the ground.

[TS]

Well reading all that has been said in the past on here... Would be great if so.....who knows for sure until it's solved, but stranger things do happen I guess in the heat of the moment.

[phil82]

This thread seems to be meandering a bit...so....when the US Coastguard Ice Breakers were regular visitors to Wellington, I came into contact with a young USCG helicopter pilot who was practising his considerable charms an a WRNZAF Officer who at that time happened to be PA to CAS, but whom we knew very well. She was Australian for those with a memory!

Anyhow, he eventually did a detachment to Vietnam, and was in fact there at the fall of Saigon in 1975, [as was I but in Singapore watching it on TV!]. He in fact flew a helicopter out to sea to land on one of the US Navy ships waiting offshore, an he told me [He came to stay with us after the fall of Saigon and before returning home to the US] that space on those ships was at a premium, and as soon as a chopper landed and was unloaded, it was heaved over the side! There were literally dozens dumped!

[ngatimozart]

Yes a lot of helos went swimming after the fall of Saigon. I remember see the video on TV here. Also some ditched in the sea alongside vessels. Lots of war material been deep sixed in the last 100 years. In NZ waters was navys favourite way of getting rid of time expired ammo, so if you go fishing in real deep water off Wellington you might catch a 6 inch shell ;D

[saratoga]

Dec 1, 2012 18:11:29 GMT 12 ngatimozart said:

Yes a lot of helos went swimming after the fall of Saigon. I remember see the video on TV here. Also some ditched in the sea alongside vessels. Lots of war material been deep sixed in the last 100 years. In NZ waters was navys favourite way of getting rid of time expired ammo, so if you go fishing in real deep water off Wellington you might catch a 6 inch shell ;D

..... or a 25pr with Mustard!

[The Red Baron]

Isn't there still that barn full of Corsairs or Mustangs south of Hamilton somewhere?.

[davidd]

It was the aircraft left in Japan by 14 Squadron (reduced to about 18 or less by accidents) that were burned, and photographed in the act. They were Lend-Lease supplied of course, but the American government had decided that occupation duties was a legitimate use for these aircraft under the conditions which originally applied and NZ agreed to, so made a dispensation for their continuing retention and operation on such duties. However they could not be used after this unless NZ paid for them, and as the govt was not inclined to spend big money getting them back to NZ (and had absolutely nor requirement anyway as they still had a about 200 at Rukuhia!), burning was the quick and easy option - don't know who cleaned up the resulting mess on the airfield! The NZ Govt had been very lucky to get the 24 aircraft to Japan so cheaply in the first place (quite apart from the entire squadron and all their other stores, including MT and at least two boats!) and had the presence of HMS GLory in the vicinity to thank for that, and generosity of the Admiralty, although there must have been some finacial arrangements worked out.

(Whoops, sorry for this post, did not notice the second page till after posting! Stiil perhaps something interesting to some in the above brief spurt.)
David D

[shorty]

I had the impression that the reason that the Spitfires were buried was that with the Japanese retreating there was a power vacuum and concern that rebels/insurgents/communists/ (call them what you will) might capture the aircraft and use them against the British backed government and by burying them they would stiil be available to be recovered and used if required. What was not taken into account was the subsequent availablity of surplus aircraft for the Burmese after the final capitulation of Japan.

[sparrow]

I still think it strange that if this was the case, they would have been buried in a recoverable state, with locals having the knowledge this was done, and exactly where it was done.

[Dave Homewood]

I have heard somewhere that there is a train of thought that one of the Corsairs in Japan was not burnt, but was spared from the fire, for some reason. But I have never heard why, what happened to it, and if it was even true.

[TS]

Dec 2, 2012 7:56:40 GMT 12 The Red Baron said:

Isn't there still that barn full of Corsairs or Mustangs south of Hamilton somewhere?.

Now Now stop stirring ;D One could get into trouble for starting a rumour....... But

[ngatimozart]

Dec 2, 2012 13:49:10 GMT 12 TS said:

Dec 2, 2012 7:56:40 GMT 12 The Red Baron said:

Isn't there still that barn full of Corsairs or Mustangs south of Hamilton somewhere?.

Now Now stop stirring ;D One could get into trouble for starting a rumour....... But

And the Mosquito not far from Woodbourne in private hands. the story goes that it was in ok nick and the cocky swore the RNZAF would never get its hands on it. Reckoned you could here him give the merlins a runup in the early hours about the same time as the Safe Air Argosies fired up their Darts & annoyed our hangovers.

[ngatimozart]

Just a tangental thought. you know how that pommy cocky reckons he's found those spits in Burma. What do you reckon would be chances of a Beaufighter being found there somewhere that maybe AvSpecs could do their magic with?

[shorty]

Dec 4, 2012 13:54:59 GMT 12 ngatimozart said:

Dec 2, 2012 13:49:10 GMT 12 TS said:

Now Now stop stirring ;D One could get into trouble for starting a rumour....... But

And the Mosquito not far from Woodbourne in private hands. the story goes that it was in ok nick and the cocky swore the RNZAF would never get its hands on it. Reckoned you could here him give the merlins a runup in the early hours about the same time as the Safe Air Argosies fired up their Darts & annoyed our hangovers.

That sounds like a merging of the John Smith/Pete Coleman scenario!

[ngatimozart]

Ah it was a story I heard when I was a young and impressionable baggy at WB way back in 1975. Told to me by a SNCO before I learned that SNCOs could be very inventive with the truth Just thought I had to add it to the mix, like a little seasoning to a casserole

[ngatimozart]

Didn't know Spitfires were jets - well aussie media.

TV3 ran an item tonight on their news and showed the dig site which is just off the main runway at Yangon (Rangoon) Airport.

The Brisbane Courier Mail has run the story at 6.26pm NZDT that the team has arrived in Rangoon for the dig.

[TS]

For the full story plus video etc google three news.
I know it's all been said before but how ever you look at it wouldn't it just be awesome.......

[Deleted]

Seemingly related, and found thanks to Tangmere1940 over at the Key/Flypast forums: issuu.com/ianhewitt/docs/spitfire_heritage_trust_doc?mode=window&pageNumber=4

Ever wanted to win your own, real, flying Spitfire in a lottery? Want a flying Spitfire with your company's livery painted on it?

[ngatimozart]

So Zac you reckon a Wings Over New Zealand Spitfire? ;D ;D