Burma Spitfires Merged thread. Put all new info in here please.

[RedToo]

Originally Posted by brando

"A Downing Street source said: "The Spitfire is arguably the most important plane in the history of aviation, playing a crucial role in the Second World War."

Why does our government make such ridiculous claims?

Because they are not very bright, not very well educated and have no awareness of what they lack.

RedToo.

[Meusli]

I wonder what mark they will be? They could be MK Vs or IXs I imagine.

[Sternjaeger II]

that would be proper time capsule NOS find, and possibly one of the best aviation archeology finds since WW2!

The question now is what mark they are (I would think either Vs or IXs) and who's gonna get 'em

[whoarmongar]

They are MkIIs. reportedly.

the news reports are very misinformed tho, all rather comical hysterical media hype.

The BBC webpage reports them as "Buried in 1945" This is ludicrous as in 1945 the Japanese forces had been defeated. They must have been buried in 1942 when the Japanese were advancing.

The telegraph report is even funnier, refering to the buried Spitfires as "Jet Fighters"

Actually quite a few spitfires have survived, personally I would have been more excited had they been some rare WWII aircraft, ie a tempest, Whirlwind or beafighter or Halifax.

Assuming they are still crated, that they had been preserved enough to survive the sea journey to Burma, and were carefully hidden with the optomistic intention of recovering them after the Japanese had been forced back im sure some useful bits could be recovered. But buried for seventy years in the hot humid jungle enviroment of Burma its asking a lot.

[RedToo]

Good thread here:

http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?t=116104

RedToo.

[major_setback]

I remember a similar story about Zero's found in a cave in Indonesia (?) a few years ago. I will believe it when the first Spitfire is dug up.
If the story turns out to be untrue, can I still have one? ()

[bw_wolverine]

This is an amazing find. I hope the recovery is documented fully and a series television series made about it.

20 Spitfire Mk IIs! Incredible. A good day to be a WWII aviation enthusiast!

[Mysticpuma]

Good detail about the research to find them here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...ned-to-UK.html

[Sternjaeger II]

Originally Posted by whoarmongar

They are MkIIs. reportedly.

the news reports are very misinformed tho, all rather comical hysterical media hype.

The BBC webpage reports them as "Buried in 1945" This is ludicrous as in 1945 the Japanese forces had been defeated. They must have been buried in 1942 when the Japanese were advancing.

The telegraph report is even funnier, refering to the buried Spitfires as "Jet Fighters"

Actually quite a few spitfires have survived, personally I would have been more excited had they been some rare WWII aircraft, ie a tempest, Whirlwind or beafighter or Halifax.

Assuming they are still crated, that they had been preserved enough to survive the sea journey to Burma, and were carefully hidden with the optomistic intention of recovering them after the Japanese had been forced back im sure some useful bits could be recovered. But buried for seventy years in the hot humid jungle enviroment of Burma its asking a lot.

..and what is it exactly that makes your conclusions less comical than theirs?

aaah armchair experts...

[Rumcajs]

Originally Posted by Sternjaeger II

..and what is it exactly that makes your conclusions less comical than theirs?

aaah armchair experts...

Why that aggressive tone? He is right. The Japs invaded Burma in 1942 and conquered it in 1943. Allies launched a counter offensive during late 1944 and the first half of 1945. The Japanese surrendered on 14th Aug 1945. It really makes no sense to fear about the Japs to invade Burma in July 1945. Plus the CNN article clearly says Mk II ... Really doesn't take a rocket scientist to conclude.