“the number of Spitfies and Seafires that were ‘available’ beyond January 1955, but were not around by the last day of 1969, came to an incredible 623!”
Surprised that this statement has not yet appeared in the Forum as it is published in this month’s (September) issue of our sponsor, Flypast, and how many are left now? 😉
By: charliehunt - 21st August 2013 at 16:34
Ah…love to see one over here….
By: Mike J - 21st August 2013 at 15:53
……..airworthy Seafires – none?
Two, both in the US
By: charliehunt - 21st August 2013 at 15:27
[I] how many are left now? 😉
D you mean airworthy? If not, hundreds, I would think. And airworthy Seafires – none?
By: David Burke - 21st August 2013 at 13:59
Its only ‘incredible’ when viewed en mass! When its calculated its only roughly 42 aircraft a year! So taking into account the numbers used in technical training – ending service use and being destroyed on fire dumps its not really that suprising . I am sure if you calculated something like destruction figures on Hawker Hunters – there would be a period in the 1960’s where the rate of scrapping of early marks was frightening – its all relative.
By: Bruce - 21st August 2013 at 12:03
If I scroll back to the top of the page, I note that the topic has nothing to do whatever with the Myanmar republic, by either name, so can we please return to the original topic.
Bruce
By: Graham Boak - 21st August 2013 at 09:54
I believe they have gone back to using Burma as an international name for the country.
However, I’m not surprised that 600+ Spitfires were still around by Jan 1955, given how many had been built and were still in unit service – not just frontline – not that long previously.
By: 43-2195 - 21st August 2013 at 09:19
Actually, I have very recently made the acquaintance of some Burmese refugees in Australia. They are “Karen” and come from Northern Burma. They still call the country Burma and suggest that the military government named the country Myanmar and that they do not call it that. Seems the government and the “Karen” do not get on well together. Of course I asked about Mingaladon and Spitfires, but their response was,” We grew up in a refugee camp in Thailand after fleeing the Burmese military and can tell you very little about our own country.” I came away thinking the “Karen” might have a better use for those Spitfires than Mr Cundall. Dare say Thibaw will be able to expand more on their plight and their current political/military situation.
By: jbs - 20th August 2013 at 09:13
Burma isn’t Burma anymore, keep up old chap:rolleyes:
Hmm, perhaps we need to let the press in on that secret then…
I say Burma, you say Myanmar…
By: paulmcmillan - 20th August 2013 at 08:55
Maybe 400 more dataplates and about 1000 years we will be up to the numbers again..
Or maybe sooner with digital printing *
* Saw James Bond in Motion at Beaulieu on Saturday did you realise that the DB5 models used in the movie Skyfall were digitally 3D printed? first time ever the technique was used in a movie.
By: Mr Merry - 20th August 2013 at 01:30
Burma bashing again…[sigh]
Burma isn’t Burma anymore, keep up old chap:rolleyes:
By: Moggy C - 19th August 2013 at 21:20
Who is bashing?
I am a convert, they really do exist.
Moggy
By: jbs - 19th August 2013 at 21:16
Burma bashing again…[sigh]
By: Moggy C - 19th August 2013 at 18:57
Most of the remainder were sent to Burma and wrapped in greaseproof paper before being carefully buried. After next February we should be well over 700, so nothing lost.
Moggy
By: Mike J - 19th August 2013 at 18:52
………how many are left now? 😉
Dozens and dozens and dozens of the things! 🙂
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August 19, 2013 at 6:34 pm