Burmese Airspeed Oxford question

Thanks very much!

Burmese Oxfords/Consuls modified to carry rockets are mentioned in this book ‘Wessex Aviation Industry’ by Mike Phipp. It has a picture and text.
I do not have a copy, just noticed it whilst browsing.

Richard

Thanks very much for your time and research. Much appreciated.

Were any Burmese Oxfords equipped with rockets and gun packs? I have seen photos of Consuls with such armament but was wondering if the Oxfords received the same equipment. Thanks in advance for any help.

Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd’s The Oxford, Consul & Envoy File by John F Hamlin states in the section devoted to the Union of Burma Air Force: “Some of the Oxfords were modified to carry extra armament, becoming the most heavily armed Oxfords ever produced. They were fitted with two forward-firing .303″ machine guns mounted in pods underneath the centre section and eight 25 lb rocket projectiles under the wings. One aircraft (UB333) had a dorsal turret complete with Lewis gun reminiscent of early Mk.I Oxfords. These armaments were tested by the A&AEE at Boscombe Down before shipment to Burma.”

Tim Mason’s The Cold War Years – flight testing at Boscome Down 1945-1975 published by Hikoki says: Postwar trials on Oxfords centered on two aircraft, both concerned with rockets. A Burmese contract machine (UB339 called a Consul) spent three days at AAEE in October 1949 from which it was concluded that eight missiles (25 lb heads) on an RP VIII installation could be fired satisfactorily. There may have been problems as two years later RR345 turned up for further RP work for the Burmese, but this time with 60 lb heads; release was acceptable.”

It is interesting to note that in the Air-Britain book, UB339 is listed as a Consul as per the Mason book even though the text related to RPs refers to Oxfords only. The book also has a very good photo of UB339 with eight rockets installed. Air-Britain also state that another Consul (UB340) had a rocket blow up under a wing during a demonstration flight on 15/6/1950.

Burmese Oxfords/Consuls modified to carry rockets are mentioned in this book ‘Wessex Aviation Industry’ by Mike Phipp. It has a picture and text.
I do not have a copy, just noticed it whilst browsing.

Richard

UB348 logged as an Oxford, similarly UB337 and UB334.

UB338 and UB 339 are logged as Consuls.

Image almost certainly 19 May 1954 at the Mingladon Base near Rangoon.

Mark

Just wondering–where did you find this photo?

Possibly.

Mark

It’s really excellent. Maybe a caption will shed light on the location, whether it’s a Consul or Ox.

Thanks again.

Pe Than Maung Wrote: 16/02/2009

When Insein was occupied by the KNDO, they were confronted by: (1) hastily trained students from Myoma High School, the University of Rangoon, Faculty of Medicine; (2) Communist and PVO troops; (3) Burmese navy, Burmese Air Force with Oxford Trainers and fire extinguisher bombs. The Chin troops commanded by Brig Blake arrived a few days later and started the offensive against the KNDO. The Burmese Navy also shelled Insein from the Hlaing River. When the Burma Rifles arrived, the offensive was well on its way.

from http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=15080

Possibly.

Mark

Not something I’ve heard of before, but I certainly like the idea of a properly tooled-up Oxford – that must be getting close to the ultimate fighting aircraft!

I’ll see what I can find in my files.