Bangkok and Beyond! A quick trip to the Thai capital (1 Viewer)

Great pics and interesting info. Thanks.

nuuumannn said:

After a more than three hour train journey back to Bangkok I had one more stop to make on my day's adventurising, so I caught the metro to Rama IV Road, one of the major arterial roads through the city to go find my next site of interest. This is the Malaysia Hotel and in 1987, the entire hotel was requisitioned by the film crew that was making the feature film Good Morning Vietnam.

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I dunno about you guys, but I loved that film, it was truly great, so, knowing the film was made in Bangkok, I wanted to hunt down the main filming site while I was in town. The majority of the street scenes in the movie were filmed in and around the city in different locations, while the crew stayed here at the Malaysia Hotel. It makes an appearance in the movie's opening sequence, when Forrest Whittaker's character picks Robin Williams' Adrian Cronauer up from the airport - Don Mueang Airport, what was Bangkok's principal airport at the time, and drives him in the jeep to the radio station - that's the Malaysia Hotel. A screenshot.

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Inside, we see the front desk to the right and the hotel foyer, looking toward a salon and shops. The elevator is to behind me to the right.

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The same view during the movie, with Whittaker and Cronauer walking towards what is supposed to be the elevator. A few changes to the hotel compared to today's view, but the odd-shaped window in this screenshot helps pinpoint the shot.

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For filming the studio scenes, on the second floor (first floor for the rest of the world), an entire radio studio, complete with offices, staff rec rooms and recording studios was built. The remainder of the floors of the hotel housed the actors and crew. This exterior shot was the closest I was getting. The hotel security got a bit twitchy when I got my camera out next to reception, so I didn't dare go upstairs and settled on an exterior shot.

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I stayed here on my first trip to Thailand.

Absolutely great stuff Grant. The River Kwai bridge and associated POW camp shots are fantastic, I'm so jealous, but the cemeteries really hit home. Every one of those mothers sons laid to rest so far from home and in graves marked "Unknown". However, it's nice that the cemeteries are well kept (it seems) and too bad the one is rarely visited.

Peter Gunn said:

Absolutely great stuff Grant. The River Kwai bridge and associated POW camp shots are fantastic, I'm so jealous, but the cemeteries really hit home. Every one of those mothers sons laid to rest so far from home and in graves marked "Unknown". However, it's nice that the cemeteries are well kept (it seems) and too bad the one is rarely visited.

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Thank you, Peter. It was a weird kind of feeling. I've visited numerous CWGC cemeteries around the world and these ones lacked that sombre feeling you get, possibly because of the oppressive heat, but also the tourists milling about. The Chungkai Cemetery absolutely deserves greater attention, but when I researched tours to go to Kanchanaburi, none went there! I got a taxi there on my own and would not have left the area without going there.

Good shots Grant!

Here's 2 shots from Hellfire Pass when I went in 2016

Gnomey said:

Good shots Grant!

Here's 2 shots from Hellfire Pass when o went in 2016

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Awesome! Thanks zgnomsty! That's one place I'd love to get to one day.

Thanks once again for following along; I've a bit of time before I continue with a writing job I'm doing, so, more from the Thai Air Force Museum. Here I found myself wandering around alone, apart from cleaning staff, who courteously said hello and a few of them in broken English (RIP Marianne Faithfull) daring to ask where I was from, but no one seemed perturbed that I was stooging about taking photos. Even the military guys on bicycles left me alone.

A Fairchild AU-23A, we've seen this before but it's one of my faves. A genuine Vietnam veteran, too.

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Something a little more sedate, one of 12 Chipmunks bought from the British in 1950, which were supplemented by a whole lot more, to replace the Tiger Moth and Miles Magister with the RTAF as primary trainers. These also meant the very last Tachikawa Ki-55 could be retired. We've seen it already on our adventure. Sadly, the underwing fabric is suffering a little.

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This is an interesting thing, it is obviously based on the SIAI Marchetti SF.260 we've seen already, but it is an RTAF-6, an indigenous attempt to mate a turboprop to the snazzy Italian airframe. Powered by an Allison 250 turboprop, this is the prototype, which first flew in 2012 and to date a small number have been built for the RTAF.

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This is the oddly mounted third prototype of the RTAF-6, missing a nose wheel, I see. The aircraft has four hardpoints under the wings to fit stores pylons for small munitions. I've always thought the SF.260 was a great wee design, full of Italian flair, so it is great to see the Thais getting some mileage out of it.

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Another indigenous Thai design, the RTAF-5, whose origins are obvious. It resembles a smaller, single-engined OV-10 Bronco. The use of the Bronco layout was deliberate as the aircraft was designed as a FAC trainer and was completed in 1982, although it did not fly for the first time until 1984. Less than a year later the project was abandoned and this remains the only one built.

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A rather nice colour scheme adorning this Vee-Tail Bonanza devoid of a propeller. Three were acquired in 1952 and I suspect this is the last one.

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GAF Missionmaster built in Australia. The Gonad, I mean Nomad...

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An example of the Flying Suppository, an IAI Arava 201, of which the RTAF had three.

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Another childish nickname on the way, this is a Metrosexual, or a Swearingen Metroliner or Merlin, to use an alternative name, of which the RTAF has operated five as VIP transports. Two have crashed in service. Although looking weirdly devoid of markings, there is a very small RTAF roundel visible on the rear fuselage just above the wing. The nickname comes from guys I used to work with; the airline I was employed with years ago had them.

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A cool Twin-Beech C-45F Expediter. As previously mentioned, this one was left behind by the RAF in India after World War Two (where's that thread on RAF ex-Lend Lease aircraft?), ending up in RTAF service until 1971.

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The King's personal 737-200 again. There used to be an HS.748 on display among the transport aircraft types, but I suspect it was moved for the event nights they had, although this area was left empty the night I visited...

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This is a Percival Survey Prince with an oddly painted over glazed nose, the only one bought for the RTAF. The aircraft was delivered in 1952 and was retired eight years later. It's a rare thing.

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A bit of local aviation history now, this is a three quarter scale replica of the indigenous Paribatra two-seat observation aircraft that was designed in Thailand as the country's first indigenous type. As previously recounted, the Paribatra, also known as the Boripatra was designed to replace the Breguet XIV in Siamese service, which had been locally built from 1924, but the French made the offer of cheap surplus engines, which meant that it was cheaper to continue using the Breguets rather than building an indigenous aircraft that would rely on overseas support for its Bristol Jupiter engines. A few were built, but they did not remain in service for long, the aircraft they were designed to replace outliving them in service until replaced by Vought V-93s.

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Crossing the forecourt into the shade, we find this rather historic A-1 Skyraider. Thanks to the efforts of several Americans associated with the aircraft through its long career, the true identity of this aircraft has been carefully researched and it is the only surviving A-1J. It's history is long and rather than attempting to repeat it, I'll copy and paste it from a page on the museum's aircraft I've been using for data:

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With its significant US Navy and Air Force history, it's a pity it's looking so faded, but that's what the heat does to aircraft left outside here. Apparently, there is remnants from damage done to it that necessitated the forced landing still visible within the undercarriage bays.

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Big ol'e C-123. In 1964, eight of these were bought to replace the C-47 as tactical transports with the RTAF, although over the years a lot more were bought, including examples from Vietnam and Cambodia that had been captured following the fall of the country to Communist forces. They saw extensive service, including during the Vietnam War, and at least two of the RTAF aircraft were used in the feature film Air America. This one was among the first eight delivered in 1964.

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A poorly positioned OV-10 Bronco from a photography standpoint. The RTAF received its first Broncos in 1971, when they were delivered aboard the USS Oriskany as deck cargo to Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, before being flown to Thailand. Although the type has been retired from the RTAF, a few of the ex-RTAF airframes went to the Philippines Air Force.

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Something a little more pointy, A Dassault Breguet/Dornier Alphajet. 26 of these were bought in 2001 as light attack aircraft, although six are for spares use only. Apparently they don't get much service use owing to a lack of spares support, so seeing one in the museum is a sign that they might not remain in service for too much longer. That nosewheel's looking a bit sad...

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Finally for today's mixed bag of airframes, an ex-Vietnamese People's Air Force MiG-21bis. This was formally given to the museum by representatives of the VPAF in 2014 and it is nominally kept indoors, so I was surprised to see it outside.

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That's it for today's museum aircraft. There are more to come before I depart Bangkok, including an aircraft I really wanted to get close-up photos of, which I was able to do, making my entire trip that little bit more worthwhile! The Big Sonuva Bitch Second Class! See y'all soon.

Right! Better get on with rounding this thing up. Too much going on at the moment. Some British heavies. I've previously mentioned these aircraft, but it's always great to see these in exotic locations. 29 Spitfire FR.XIVes were bought in 1950 to replace the RTAF's last Ki-43s in service; what a leap in capability. Only 24 were kept in flying condition, the rest for spares. Four Spitfire PR.XIXs were also bought in 1954, but these remained in service for only a year, because they proved to be too maintenance intensive. The RTAF retired all its Spitfires in 1955.

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The RTAF bought 10 Fairey Firefly FR.1s in 1951 and two Firefly T.2s from the Royal Thai Naval Air Division as strike aircraft, withdrawing them three years later. Their service period was short owing to a lack of spare parts. An issue that a distant Thailand suffers from to this day. This one needs some major surgery on that prop blade.

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Finally from the Home Counties, A Hawker Siddeley AV-8S Matador. As previously mentioned, the Matadors equipped the aircraft carrier Chakri Naruebet, which is still in service, but the Harriers were retired owing to low serviceability due to poor maintenance support and parts supply. Always cool to see a Matador/early model Harrier.

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Now to some US metal, and we start with this Royal Thai Navy LTV A-7E Corsair II. Originally, the navy wanted to buy F-18s, but the budget wouldn't stretch that far, so 18 surplus A-7s were bought in 1994 instead, 14 A-7Es and four TA-7Cs. The aircraft were bought as land-based strike aircraft, but a distinct shortage of ordnance meant these aircraft found themselves without a role in the modern navy. Because of this and the familiar spares shortages and low maintenance support they were retired in 2007.

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As previously mentioned, the F-5 has a long and productive history with the RTAF and the museum has around nine F-5 derivative airframes, with six of them on public display. This example is an F-5TH Super Tigris, which were extensive avionics and weapon systems upgrades to the RTAF's fleet of F-5E Tiger IIs. This was led by Elbit Systems, which included replacing the radar, which has resulted in a slightly shorter and subtly reprofiled nose. The upgrade has given the Tigris a BVR capability, as well as a strike capability, which makes them quite a formidable aircraft. The Tigris is still in RTAF service alongside the F-16, although the introduction of the Saab Gripen adds yet another fighter/ground attack platform to the RTAF's arsenal. That's a Python AAM on the right hand wing station, while oddly, the left hand wing has an AIM-9 Sidewinder fitted.

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This smartly turned out F-16B wears Centenary of aviation in Siam/Thailand from 1912 to 2012 markings on its fin. The RTAF bought eight F-16As and four F-16Bs in 1987, while 18 more were ordered in 1995, again As and Bs, but from later manufacturing Blocks and five years later received a further 16. These were supplemented by seven Royal Singapore Air Force F-16s, continuing a tradition of mutual support between the two nations, as RSAF modified F-5 Tigris have been supplied to the RTAF. We've seen one already. The Viper still serves with the RTAF as its most prolific fighter.

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Now over to an area that I was told I shouldn't go, but me being me decided I would because I wouldn't be me if I didn't and throughout this trip I'd gone to places and done stuff that I didn't have permission to do, so why break a habit?! This area is around the back of the cafe and shop complex and it holds some interesting aircraft, far too interesting to ignore. While I was there I saw a few people wandering about but no one paid the slightest mind to my presence, which makes all these rules a bit arbitrary anyway! This is an Alenia G.222, of which six bought in 1994 to replace the venerable C-123 in RTAF service and all have been retired, being withdrawn in 2010. The Triple Two as the Thais called it proved more costly to operate than the C-130, which it joined in the RTAF's tactical transport fleet, so they were deemed too expensive and were withdrawn. This one's looking nice and shiny.

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Something a little rarer, a Grumman Widgeon, which were bought by the navy for SAR duties in either 1947 or 1951, no one seems sure of that, according to the page I'm reading for this info. Five of the aircraft went to the RTAF following what became known as the Manhattan Rebellion, when Royal Thai Navy officers instigated a coup in 1951. Named as such because the Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram was abducted and put aboard a dredge vessel named Manhattan before being transferred to the naval vessel HTMS Sri Ayudhya, the Japanese built sister of the the Thonburi, which we've discussed at the beginning of this post. During this bloody little coup there were more than 100 deaths of military personnel and civilians and more than 500 were injured, but the coup failed as the Sri Ayudhya was attacked by shore guns and RTAF T-6 Texans, sinking on the night of 1 July. While the ship sank, the Prime Minister escaped and swam ashore. Afterwards, the navy's power was much reduced and assets stripped, including these harmless little SAR aircraft, which were given to the RTAF. That flap is gonna cause issues on take-off.

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Now, an aircraft that I was very keen on seeing and before I went to Thailand I hoped that I would get some air time with it. This big beastie is of course the Royal Thai Navy/Air Force's Sonuva Bitch Second Class: Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver. I had never seen one of these in the flesh before - it's big! I took dozens of shots in the heat, doing a detailed exterior walkaround, which is enhanced by the fact that the aircraft is in very good condition, despite spending years outdoors. Drenched in sweat, I took shelter under its ample fuselage to escape the sun. Good times.

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Strictly speaking, the SB2Cs were operated by the RTAF, as the fleet of them joins the Widgeon as a type given to the RTAF after the Manhattan Rebellion and the downsizing of the navy's fire power. Originally, six were bought in June 1951 as land based attack aircraft, the same month of the coup, so their tenure in the navy was very brief.

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Wrapping up today, we reach the edge of the museum's exhibition space. This is an airframe dump, this incomplete Pilatus PC-9 awaiting its fate. There are two of these on display, one of which we have seen already.

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The dump area with a Fairchild Argus visible in front. A total of 18 of these useful aircraft were operated by the RTAF, the first of which were bought in 1938. One was shot down in 1945 by a USAAF P-51 Mustang.

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A T-6G Texan. We've seen one of these already and we know that this was the most numerous type to equip the RTAF, the first of which were bought in 1948. Although bought as trainers - they were the first US purchase following the end of WW2 and a period of isolation from the USA's good books owing to supporting the Japanese - the type was extensively used as attack aircraft, firing at the Sri Ayudhya during the Manhattan Rebellion. Retired in 1974, many of the RTAF's Texans went to Laos. This one wears the markings of 22 Sqn, 2 Wing and could do with a bit of TLC.

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Lastly, the junk yard. Five of the much maligned Fantrainers, a single T-37 and two F-5s are visible.

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That's it for today. Next time we wrap up our visit to the RTAF Museum and bring our wee trip to Thailand to a close. Stay casual, Trendsetters.

So much to see!

Nice shots Grant!

Awrighty, I guess I should finish this - I've been quite busy working away from home, I am in the process of working on some C-130 Hercules' being prepped for storage until their new owner comes to fly them away. Busy busy busy. So, for this last instalment of my Thai trip, I'll be posting some shots from the museum, of my hotel, which was a rich photographic subject, and other bits and bobs. Anyway, let's finish this!

We are still at the Thai Air Force Museum, where, as you recall, I was given permission to wander about while staff cleaned the place up following the last Night at the Museum event held the night before. A couple of CT/4s.

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A Fantrainer.

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PC-9.

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L-39.

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T-6.

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A-37.

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Beech C-45.

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Lastly, the peculiar Arava again.

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Back to the hotel for some R & R before the long trip back home, but before we leave Thailand, this was my sanctuary while I was there. A lovely place with a unique character.

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A striking sculpture in the airport.

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An interesting shop feature in the Louis Vuitton store at Changi Airport, Singapore.

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Finally, my aircraft back home.

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That's it! my trip to Bangkok. Apologies for taking so long to finish this. Given these take some time to finish, on my next trip I won't be doing as detailed an appraisal as this one has been simply because of the time it takes. My next trip, the Land of the Rising Sun for two weeks with my little Hatsune Miku replica; my daughter and I are spending two weeks in Japan!

Until then, stay trendy, my furry friends!

Good shots Grant!