Myanmar (Burma): Warplanes of the Second World War preserved

Warplanes of the Second World War preserved in Myanmar (Burma)

The aim of this website is to locate, identify and document Warplanes from the Second World War preserved in Myanmar.  Many contributors have assisted in the hunt for these aircraft to provide and update the data on this website.  Photos are as credited.  Any errors found here are by the author, and any additions, corrections or amendments to this list of Warplane Survivors of the Second World War in Myanmar would be most welcome and may be e-mailed to the author at hskaarup@rogers.com.

Burma (Baw Maw Regime)

The Japanese Army and Burma nationalists, led by Aung San, seized control of Burma from the United Kingdom during 1942.  A State of Burma was formed on 1 August 1942 under the Burmese nationalist leader Ba Maw.  The Ba Maw regime established the Burma Defence Army (later renamed the Burma National Army), which was commanded by Aung San.  (Wikipedia)

Myanmar Air Force

The Myanmar Air Force (MAF), was formed as the Burmese Air Force on 16 January 1947, while Burma (as Myanmar was known until 1989) was still under British rule.  By 1948, the fleet of the new air force included 40 Airspeed Oxfords, 16 de Havilland Tiger Moths, four Austers, and three Supermarine Spitfires transferred from the RAF.  Douglas C-47 Dakotas were acquired ca 1950.  In 1953, the Burmese Air Force bought 30 Supermarine Sptifires from Israel and 20 Supermarine Seafires from the United Kingdom.  In 1957 the Burmese Air Force procured 21 Hawker Sea Fury fighters from the UK.

(IWM Photo, CF271)

A Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VIII of RAF No. 155 Squadron about to take off from Tabingaung, Burma, January 1945.

(IWM Photo, CF 269)

Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk. VIII (Serial No. JG253), the personal aircraft of Group Captain H G Goddard, Commanding Officer of No. 906 Wing RAF, being serviced and refuelled at Tabingaung, Burma, ca Feb 1945.  Behind this aircraft are parked other Spitfire LF Mark VIIIs, belonging to No. 155 Squadron RAF, detached from Tulihal to assist in operations in support of the 14th Army.

(IWM Photo, CI 1565)

Air Vice-Marshal C A Bouchier, Air Officer Commanding No. 221 Group RAF, greets Flight-Lieutenant D E Nicholson of Harrow, Middlesex, on completing the last operational sortie by No. 607 Squadron RAF prior to its disbandment at Mingaladon, Burma. Behind them, Nicholson's Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VIII (Serial No. JG354), coded AF-Z, receives attention from ground crew.

On 15 February 1961, an unmarked Republic of China Air Force Consolidated PB4Y Privateer flew inside Burmese air space carrying supplies for Chinese Kuomintang forces fighting in northern Burma.  It was intercepted by three Hawker Sea Fury fighters of the Burmese Air Force.  The intruding bomber and one Burmese fighter crashed in Thailand during the incident.

Warplanes of the Second World War preserved in Myanmar by aircraft type, serial number, registration number and location:

It has been reported that a number of Supermarine Spitfire Mk. XIV aircraft were hidden in Burma, unassembled and in their packing crates, in August 1945. To date, none have been found.

Defence Services Museum, Naypyidaw, Myanmar

de Havilland Tiger Moth (Serial No. UB156).

Douglas C-47B Skytrain (Serial No. UB735).

Douglas C-47B Skytrain (Serial No. UB736).

(Andy Davey Photo)

(airsoc.com Photos)

Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 (Serial No. UB471).

Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk. IXe (Serial No. TE513), MAF (Serial No. UB421).  On external display at the newly opened (2016) Defence Services Museum which is North-East of Myanmar's capital city, Naypyidaw, in the Zeyathiri Township.

(Andy Davey Photo)

(airsoc.com Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk. IXe (Serial No. TE527), MAF (Serial No. UB431).  Rear fuselage and tail-section suspected to be from this aircraft on display within the newly opened Defence Services Museum on the outskirts of Naypyidaw.

(airsoc.com Photos)

Supermarine Seafire F Mk. XV (Serial No. PR376), MAF (Serial No. UB409.  On external display at the newly opened (2016) Defence Services Museum on the outskirts of Naypyidaw.