1st April 1954

Originally posted by Ant Harrington
Just out of curiosity,what happenned to the REAL PS888?

Ant,

PS888 certainly completed its flying stint with the Thais. The last known photos show it looking a bit forlorn at Don Muang, Bangkok. (see photo in another current mag I believe).

The Thai policy was to spread these aircraft far and wide in Thailand and beyond after service. PS836 went to a school in Chiang Mai. PM630 to school at Trat. PS890 was donated to the Planes of Fame/Ed Maloney by the King. Of the XIVs SM914 went to the Museum at Bangkok, RM863 to a kid’s playground Sawankalok and RM797 to Surin – survivors all.

If you plot these on a map of Thailand you can see a couple of areas/regions that should perhaps have had a Spitfire. Some have speculated that PS888 may have been assigned.

The Thais are so passionate about their lost aircaft that I think they would have located it, or its remains, by now if it still existed.

I have ‘whistled’ through Thailand on a number of occasions on Spitfire adventures – perhaps another time.

Mark

Thanks for the reminder Mark. 🙂 Just out of curiosity,what happenned to the REAL PS888?I know she was passed on to the Thai AF,but what became of her after that-is there any chance she might still be extant??

Yeah and at the time the chiefs of staff were only having an april fool joke.

The 1st of April is almost certainly significant. It was on April 1st 1918 that the Royal Air Force was formed as a result of the amalgamation of the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service.

Regards,

kev35

Historical news! Thanks to let this know. I was not aware that it was the 1st april 1954 (not a joke I hope). 😉

It might have been its last operational flight, but the legend continues!

J.V.

The most beautiful Spitfire to (still) grace the skies….

mmmm,…