Great shots!
Bangkok and Beyond! A quick trip to the Thai capital (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter nuuumannn
- Start date
Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules
- Thread starter
- #22
Continuing on with my Thai adventure. I struggled to get a good angle on this model of the Chakri Naruebet, the Thai aircraft carrier. Commissioned in 1997, the Chakri Naruebet, meaning Sovereign of the Chakri Dynasty was built by Bazan, Spain. Originally its air group comprised nine AV-8S Matadors, ex-Spanish Navy Harriers, plus six SH-60, or S-70B and up to four MH-60S Seahawks, but the Matadors were retired in 2006 and the carrier is now classified as Offshore Patrol Helicopter Carrier by the Thais. A total of 14 helicopters can be carried aboard the carrier, considered one of the world's smallest operational aircraft carriers. We'll see a Matador soon.
_ADP9025-Enhanced-NR
A Japanese Type 98 20-mm AA cannon. (By doing this I'm learning heaps about Japanese guns and stuff!)
_ADP9027
The cupola, bow adornment and stern from a traditional Dragon Boat.
_ADP9031
An assortment of naval weaponry, including sea mines, depth charge throwers, torpedoes and air dropped bombs. I'm not entirely sure what the white bulbs with the tall spikes are. Paravanes, perhaps? They don't have any foiling surfaces though.
_ADP9034
I know that this is an Armstrong breech loading gun from Elswick, Newcastle, based on the badge on its crown.
_ADP9036
Ornately decorated torpedo tubes.
_ADP9037
Armstrong-built 12 pdr gun from HTMS Phra Ruang.
_ADP9040
Bofors 75/51 dual purpose gun from HTMS Thonburi.
_ADP9042
Finally from the naval museum, a painting of HTMS Thonburi engaging the French light cruiser Lamotte-Piquet during the Battle of Koh Chang on 17 January 1941 in the museum foyer.
_ADP9043
Directly opposite the naval museum on the other side of the road is the Thai Naval Academy and next to the parade ground is the forward gun turret and conning tower from the Thonburi. Unfortunately, these are within the fenced-off compound and are not accessible to the public. Given that the BTS Skytrain public transit is elevated above ground level, I got my camera ready and stood at the window of the train as it accelerated past the academy building in the hope I might get a glimpse of the Thonburi...
_ADP9134
Not the best photo given the train carriage had an advert covering the windows.
While travelling north on the Sukhumvit Line, a few stops from where I get off I stopped at the Science Centre for Education and Planetarium, formerly the Bangkok Science Museum to take a look at the aircraft in the courtyard outside. They're slowly giving way to the elements.
Decorated as an RTAF C-47, this is former Thai Army DC-3, S/n 9414.
_ADP9137
_ADP9138
You can see the entry door, which determines this as a DC-3 as opposed to a C-47 Skytrain, which had the double opening cargo doors aft and which the RTAF was equipped with.
_ADP9139
Lake LA-4-200 Buccaneer
_ADP9140
Thai Civil Aviation Training Centre Piper Aztec.
_ADP9141
The Civil Aviation Training Centre is located in Chatuchak, Chomphon District, Bangkok, close to Don Mueang Airport, location of the Thai Air Force Museum.
_ADP9142
F-86F Sabre. Thailand received 40 F-86Fs, which equipped 12, 13 and 43 Squadrons, RTAF.
_ADP9143
This aircraft is in the markings of 43 Sqn, which operated the type between 1964 and 1975.
_ADP9144
Finally for today, this. Who knew the faked moon landing was filmed in a park in Thailand...
_ADP9147
Coming up: Aircraft, aircraft and more aircraft (and a tank, some guns and a boat thrown in, too!)
A Japanese Type 98 20-mm AA cannon. (By doing this I'm learning heaps about Japanese guns and stuff!)
The cupola, bow adornment and stern from a traditional Dragon Boat.
An assortment of naval weaponry, including sea mines, depth charge throwers, torpedoes and air dropped bombs. I'm not entirely sure what the white bulbs with the tall spikes are. Paravanes, perhaps? They don't have any foiling surfaces though.
I know that this is an Armstrong breech loading gun from Elswick, Newcastle, based on the badge on its crown.
Ornately decorated torpedo tubes.
Armstrong-built 12 pdr gun from HTMS Phra Ruang.
Bofors 75/51 dual purpose gun from HTMS Thonburi.
Finally from the naval museum, a painting of HTMS Thonburi engaging the French light cruiser Lamotte-Piquet during the Battle of Koh Chang on 17 January 1941 in the museum foyer.
Directly opposite the naval museum on the other side of the road is the Thai Naval Academy and next to the parade ground is the forward gun turret and conning tower from the Thonburi. Unfortunately, these are within the fenced-off compound and are not accessible to the public. Given that the BTS Skytrain public transit is elevated above ground level, I got my camera ready and stood at the window of the train as it accelerated past the academy building in the hope I might get a glimpse of the Thonburi...
Not the best photo given the train carriage had an advert covering the windows.
While travelling north on the Sukhumvit Line, a few stops from where I get off I stopped at the Science Centre for Education and Planetarium, formerly the Bangkok Science Museum to take a look at the aircraft in the courtyard outside. They're slowly giving way to the elements.
Decorated as an RTAF C-47, this is former Thai Army DC-3, S/n 9414.
You can see the entry door, which determines this as a DC-3 as opposed to a C-47 Skytrain, which had the double opening cargo doors aft and which the RTAF was equipped with.
Lake LA-4-200 Buccaneer
Thai Civil Aviation Training Centre Piper Aztec.
The Civil Aviation Training Centre is located in Chatuchak, Chomphon District, Bangkok, close to Don Mueang Airport, location of the Thai Air Force Museum.
F-86F Sabre. Thailand received 40 F-86Fs, which equipped 12, 13 and 43 Squadrons, RTAF.
This aircraft is in the markings of 43 Sqn, which operated the type between 1964 and 1975.
Finally for today, this. Who knew the faked moon landing was filmed in a park in Thailand...
Coming up: Aircraft, aircraft and more aircraft (and a tank, some guns and a boat thrown in, too!)
Snautzer01
Honourably banned
- 43,389
- Mar 26, 2007
That white thing is I think a float or pig. Part of mine sleeping stuff.
Snautzer01
Honourably banned
- 43,389
- Mar 26, 2007
42-23538 ... 42-23580
Douglas C-47A-25-DL
42-23552 (MSN 9414) to RAF as FD868. To civil market as G-AGHN, then VH-BZB J Jamieson t/a
Guinea Air Traders Nov 21, 1949. To Ansett AAV "Ansertes" Aug 19, 1950. To Thai
Airways in 1958 as HS-TDF. To Thai AF Dec 1966 as 9414
Douglas C-47A-25-DL
42-23552 (MSN 9414) to RAF as FD868. To civil market as G-AGHN, then VH-BZB J Jamieson t/a
Guinea Air Traders Nov 21, 1949. To Ansett AAV "Ansertes" Aug 19, 1950. To Thai
Airways in 1958 as HS-TDF. To Thai AF Dec 1966 as 9414
- Thread starter
- #26
That's it! Thanks for that, pal!
- Thread starter
- #27
Interesting that it was built as a C-47 as it doesn't have the cargo door, and according to the data I have on preserved Thai aircraft it was operated by the Thai Army, not the Thai Air Force - one of these sources is wrong at least. Nevertheless, great info and good to see it has Southern Hemisphere provenance.
- Thread starter
- #28
Today we start in the north of Bangkok outside Don Mueang Airport, again on the ubiquitous Sukhumvit Line of the BTS and we cross the road after disembarking at Royal Thai Air Force Museum Station (yes, that's the stop name) and go to the RTAF Aviation Park. Distinctively crowned by this impressive sculpture, the RTAF Aviation Park is located in the courtyard of facilities belonging to the RTAF, but excellently, it is free for the public to wander about in.
_ADP9150
The sculpture represents, according to the blurb "four generations of RTAF fighters". F-86F, F-5A, F-5E and F-16A.
_ADP9154
The aircraft wear dual identities. The Sabre wears markings of 13 Sqn on the left and 43 Sqn on the right, the F-5A wears 231 Sqn on the left and 103 Sqn on the right, the F-5E wears 711 Sqn on the left and 211 Sqn on the right, the F-16A wears 102 Sqn on the left and 103 Sqn on the right.
_ADP9159
On either side of the sculpture are displays written in Thai and English that chart the history of the RTAF.
_ADP9160
Sitting at the northern end of the compound is a 12 Sqn F-86L.
_ADP9163
Those plinth mounted aircraft again. As I left the compound, the guard on duty gave me a sharp salute!
_ADP9164
Heading up the road toward the next junction, I took my life in my own hands (being careful to watch for scooter riders who ignore all the road rules!) and crossed at the pedestrian crossing to photograph this Sabre Dog. Note the carriage of AAMs.
_ADP9166
This is a 12 Sqn example - easier to tell now... ;D
_ADP9167
Walking back across the road to the BTS station, you can see the entrance to the RTAF Aviation Park from here, illustrating how high the BTS rail infrastructure is above ground level. Building the Skytrain was a mammoth undertaking, as I've mentioned before, Bangkok also has an underground metro, but the BTS adds routes previously unreachable by rail. It was a godsend. My hotel was very close to the Sukhumvit (Green) Line, which made transit to and from these places so convenient.
IMG_20241220_085454383_AE
Another view of the sculpture from the BTS station. At this stage I crossed the road (using the BTS walkways to avoid being killed) to go to the RTAF museum, but at the main gate I was told that it was closed! Dangit! That night and for the next few days the museum was holding a "Night at the Museum", which, I found out was a city wide initiative where museums were open exclusively until late, so, bearing that in mind, I now had something to do this evening! The next thing was to get to my next attraction, and for that I'd need an air conditioned taxi - I didn't fancy waiting for a bus in the heat.
_ADP0355
My next stop is The National Memorial. This is further north from the end of the BTS line and took 20 minutes in the cab from the RTAF Museum. It is a visitor centre focussing on the military history of Thailand. It is designed to inspire patriotism among the Thai people and conveniently the displays are captioned in English, too, although its foreign tourist count probably isn't that high. I wouldn't imagine it is very well known on the tourist radar given how far north of the city it is and the fact there is only a bus link to it. This is the complex from the outside. The building is designed to invoke a traditional Wat, and it has a few bits of hardware of interest surrounding it.
_ADP9169
A patriotically adorned 75 mm Bofors L-40 field gun guards the entrance.
_ADP9170
LVT-4 positioned to one side of the T-28 on the plinth. In photos there used to be a Type 95 Ha Go tank on the other side of the plinth, so I was quite disappointed to find it was missing and there was no evidence it had ever been there!
_ADP9171
The T-28D and no sign of the Ha Go! (I guess it's Ha Gone...)
_ADP9172
The aircraft is aging and appears to have been fitted with a makeshift airbrake (yes, I know it is an open access door).
_ADP9173
One of the many Pibbers operated by the Thai Navy. As previously mentioned, there are around 30 of these still in service. Is that Fortunate Son playing on the tannoy...?
_ADP9174
This one has its jet units fitted, unlike the one at the naval museum, although the guns are replicas.
_ADP9176
A Bell OH-13 Sioux formerly of the Thai Army, one of 21 operated by the army.
_ADP9178
Next time, a few things inside The National Memorial and a run-in with the police!
The sculpture represents, according to the blurb "four generations of RTAF fighters". F-86F, F-5A, F-5E and F-16A.
The aircraft wear dual identities. The Sabre wears markings of 13 Sqn on the left and 43 Sqn on the right, the F-5A wears 231 Sqn on the left and 103 Sqn on the right, the F-5E wears 711 Sqn on the left and 211 Sqn on the right, the F-16A wears 102 Sqn on the left and 103 Sqn on the right.
On either side of the sculpture are displays written in Thai and English that chart the history of the RTAF.
Sitting at the northern end of the compound is a 12 Sqn F-86L.
Those plinth mounted aircraft again. As I left the compound, the guard on duty gave me a sharp salute!
Heading up the road toward the next junction, I took my life in my own hands (being careful to watch for scooter riders who ignore all the road rules!) and crossed at the pedestrian crossing to photograph this Sabre Dog. Note the carriage of AAMs.
This is a 12 Sqn example - easier to tell now... ;D
Walking back across the road to the BTS station, you can see the entrance to the RTAF Aviation Park from here, illustrating how high the BTS rail infrastructure is above ground level. Building the Skytrain was a mammoth undertaking, as I've mentioned before, Bangkok also has an underground metro, but the BTS adds routes previously unreachable by rail. It was a godsend. My hotel was very close to the Sukhumvit (Green) Line, which made transit to and from these places so convenient.
Another view of the sculpture from the BTS station. At this stage I crossed the road (using the BTS walkways to avoid being killed) to go to the RTAF museum, but at the main gate I was told that it was closed! Dangit! That night and for the next few days the museum was holding a "Night at the Museum", which, I found out was a city wide initiative where museums were open exclusively until late, so, bearing that in mind, I now had something to do this evening! The next thing was to get to my next attraction, and for that I'd need an air conditioned taxi - I didn't fancy waiting for a bus in the heat.
My next stop is The National Memorial. This is further north from the end of the BTS line and took 20 minutes in the cab from the RTAF Museum. It is a visitor centre focussing on the military history of Thailand. It is designed to inspire patriotism among the Thai people and conveniently the displays are captioned in English, too, although its foreign tourist count probably isn't that high. I wouldn't imagine it is very well known on the tourist radar given how far north of the city it is and the fact there is only a bus link to it. This is the complex from the outside. The building is designed to invoke a traditional Wat, and it has a few bits of hardware of interest surrounding it.
A patriotically adorned 75 mm Bofors L-40 field gun guards the entrance.
LVT-4 positioned to one side of the T-28 on the plinth. In photos there used to be a Type 95 Ha Go tank on the other side of the plinth, so I was quite disappointed to find it was missing and there was no evidence it had ever been there!
The T-28D and no sign of the Ha Go! (I guess it's Ha Gone...)
The aircraft is aging and appears to have been fitted with a makeshift airbrake (yes, I know it is an open access door).
One of the many Pibbers operated by the Thai Navy. As previously mentioned, there are around 30 of these still in service. Is that Fortunate Son playing on the tannoy...?
This one has its jet units fitted, unlike the one at the naval museum, although the guns are replicas.
A Bell OH-13 Sioux formerly of the Thai Army, one of 21 operated by the army.
Next time, a few things inside The National Memorial and a run-in with the police!
Last edited:
SaparotRob
Unter Gemeine Geschwader Murmeltier XIII
That "like" is actually a "bacon". I wanted to see these sights but I felt I took enough of my stepson's time.
Peter Gunn
Master Sergeant
As a Northerner that relocated South, imagine how conflicted I feel...
Shortround6
Major General
Florida is a land of it's own. True southerners don't include Florida as part of the south. OK, maybe, just maybe, the Florida panhandle ?
Good stuff Grant!
- Thread starter
- #34
The Democratic People's Republic of Florida, maybe? There's a gator on the passport seal in gold leaf on the cover, which is stretched green gator skin...
- Thread starter
- #35
Continuing at The National Memorial, this is the celebrated Queen Consort Suriyothai, who gave her life in battle to protect her husband, King Maha Chakkraphat fighting against the Burmese in December 1548. The Siamese Warrior Queen has been enshrined in legend in Thailand and books have been written, movies made and statues erected commemorating her.
_ADP9180
Traditional Siamese dress armour from the Ayutthaya Age, (16th and 17th Centuries). Siamese warriors did not wear heavy armour in battle because they practised martial fighting, favouring swiftness of movement.
_ADP9181
This is a curious statue, it is Chinese of origin and was carried aboard Chinese vessels as ballast when China and Siam were trading partners. There are several of these statues that remain at different Wats around the centre of Bangkok, including the tourist traps Wat Pho and Wat Arun.
_ADP9183
As the caption states, a Japanese Type 92 7.7 mm heavy machine gun.
_ADP9188
Another Type 92 serving in the anti-aircraft role.
_ADP9190
20-mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft gun.
_ADP9199
While I was wandering around inside the memorial, two female staff-members from the front reception approached me and enquired what my interest in the subject matter was, emphasising the fact that not many foreigners visit. They wanted a photograph with me, which I found was a bit odd, as I looked disheveled and hot, but I indulged them. I encountered this a few times when I was in China also, but I wasn't expecting it in Bangkok.
Outside in the heat again, an M40 Walker Bulldog.
_ADP9202
Bofors L70 40-mm gun guarding the car park - I wouldn't argue with the parking attendant...
_ADP9204
Ubiquitous Cessna O-1 Bird Dog. These are everywhere in Thailand, I guess because the Thais had so many. All branches of the Thai armed forces operated them.
_ADP9206
_ADP9207
Finally from the National Memorial, an M113 APC.
_ADP9209
After my visit I had one more look around to see if I could see the Ha Go, and then I caught a taxi back to the BTS station and was dropped off right outside the Glass Hangar Cafe, a cool but small eatery next to the station entrance where I stopped for a refreshing fruit smoothie. In front of the cafe is this rather colourful CT/4A Airtrainer.
_ADP9212
A bit of info about the CT/4, given that I'd imagine it isn't so well known except by Australians and New Zealanders, it was built in New Zealand by Pacific Aerospace, now NZAI and was based on the Victa Airtourer, which was designed and built in Australia in the 1960s. Developed exclusively as a military primary trainer, 154 Airtrainers (note the fact that "Airtrainer" is one word) in total were built, with the RTAF receiving 24 of 75 CT/4As constructed. The only other operators of the A-Model were the RAAF and RNZAF, plus two to Singapore. Thailand currently operates the CT/4E, with a more powerful engine, so there are a few of the A-Models dotted about the place and we'll see a few more to come.
_ADP9214
My next stop was to get a glimpse at some aircraft sitting outside the RTAF Training Academy, a T-28 and a UH-1H and although I could see them from the footpath, the fence was too high and I didn't fancy getting in trouble to get photos! I then proceeded by BTS to Ram Inthra to go to the Royal Thai Police Aviation Division (RTPAD) as there used to be a museum with several aircraft sitting about outside, but there is no mention of the fact that it is still a museum, so I took my chances and approached the barriered entrance to the government controlled area. At the road entrance there used to be a DC-3 on a concrete plinth, today the plinth is there but the DC-3 is long gone. When I walked in past the barrier arm, the guard just waved me on; so far, so good. The driveway is long, or was it that I was nervous to be walking into a government compound unchallenged? It wasn't long before I saw my first aircraft, a Kawasaki KH-4 helicopter perched on an overhang outside an office complex. The KH-4 is, incidentally, developed from the Bell 47 Sioux, which Kawasaki built under licence. The RTPAD operated 20 of these.
_ADP9215
A rare Beagle Husky, this type was originally the Auster J/1Y and Beagle Aircraft put the design into production. This aircraft was operated by the Border Patrol Police and was its only example.
_ADP9219
I took several photos of this snazzy looking and carefully kept Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter, of which the RTPAD operated ten examples. Beyond the control tower building in the background is an active airfield, helipads and hangars, but I daren't get photos over there, as we shall soon see.
_ADP9217
_ADP9218
A bit of a walk past the hangars and I saw this Sikorsky S-55 Chickasaw, the only one operated by RTPAD, although it also used three ex-military H.19s, which have since been passed onto Laos.
_ADP9223
Only two Sikorsky S-62As were operated by RTPAD.
_ADP9224
It was from here on in on my excursion into the controlled area that people began to notice that there was a gringo, or whatever the Thai word for obnoxious foreigner is, wandering about taking photos. A woman, who introduced herself as Joy pulled up on a scooter and asked what I was doing. She said that I could continue taking photos, but I was not to photograph the hangars or any of the aircraft airside, to which I gratefully agreed, then she rode off. That wasn't the end of it, though...
This beat up Cessna 310 could do with a bit of love. Only two 310Fs were delivered to the RTPAD, this one is the only survivor as the other was lost in 1980.
_ADP9228
More to come from the RTPAD, including being surrounded by armed police!
Traditional Siamese dress armour from the Ayutthaya Age, (16th and 17th Centuries). Siamese warriors did not wear heavy armour in battle because they practised martial fighting, favouring swiftness of movement.
This is a curious statue, it is Chinese of origin and was carried aboard Chinese vessels as ballast when China and Siam were trading partners. There are several of these statues that remain at different Wats around the centre of Bangkok, including the tourist traps Wat Pho and Wat Arun.
As the caption states, a Japanese Type 92 7.7 mm heavy machine gun.
Another Type 92 serving in the anti-aircraft role.
20-mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft gun.
While I was wandering around inside the memorial, two female staff-members from the front reception approached me and enquired what my interest in the subject matter was, emphasising the fact that not many foreigners visit. They wanted a photograph with me, which I found was a bit odd, as I looked disheveled and hot, but I indulged them. I encountered this a few times when I was in China also, but I wasn't expecting it in Bangkok.
Outside in the heat again, an M40 Walker Bulldog.
Bofors L70 40-mm gun guarding the car park - I wouldn't argue with the parking attendant...
Ubiquitous Cessna O-1 Bird Dog. These are everywhere in Thailand, I guess because the Thais had so many. All branches of the Thai armed forces operated them.
Finally from the National Memorial, an M113 APC.
After my visit I had one more look around to see if I could see the Ha Go, and then I caught a taxi back to the BTS station and was dropped off right outside the Glass Hangar Cafe, a cool but small eatery next to the station entrance where I stopped for a refreshing fruit smoothie. In front of the cafe is this rather colourful CT/4A Airtrainer.
A bit of info about the CT/4, given that I'd imagine it isn't so well known except by Australians and New Zealanders, it was built in New Zealand by Pacific Aerospace, now NZAI and was based on the Victa Airtourer, which was designed and built in Australia in the 1960s. Developed exclusively as a military primary trainer, 154 Airtrainers (note the fact that "Airtrainer" is one word) in total were built, with the RTAF receiving 24 of 75 CT/4As constructed. The only other operators of the A-Model were the RAAF and RNZAF, plus two to Singapore. Thailand currently operates the CT/4E, with a more powerful engine, so there are a few of the A-Models dotted about the place and we'll see a few more to come.
My next stop was to get a glimpse at some aircraft sitting outside the RTAF Training Academy, a T-28 and a UH-1H and although I could see them from the footpath, the fence was too high and I didn't fancy getting in trouble to get photos! I then proceeded by BTS to Ram Inthra to go to the Royal Thai Police Aviation Division (RTPAD) as there used to be a museum with several aircraft sitting about outside, but there is no mention of the fact that it is still a museum, so I took my chances and approached the barriered entrance to the government controlled area. At the road entrance there used to be a DC-3 on a concrete plinth, today the plinth is there but the DC-3 is long gone. When I walked in past the barrier arm, the guard just waved me on; so far, so good. The driveway is long, or was it that I was nervous to be walking into a government compound unchallenged? It wasn't long before I saw my first aircraft, a Kawasaki KH-4 helicopter perched on an overhang outside an office complex. The KH-4 is, incidentally, developed from the Bell 47 Sioux, which Kawasaki built under licence. The RTPAD operated 20 of these.
A rare Beagle Husky, this type was originally the Auster J/1Y and Beagle Aircraft put the design into production. This aircraft was operated by the Border Patrol Police and was its only example.
I took several photos of this snazzy looking and carefully kept Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter, of which the RTPAD operated ten examples. Beyond the control tower building in the background is an active airfield, helipads and hangars, but I daren't get photos over there, as we shall soon see.
A bit of a walk past the hangars and I saw this Sikorsky S-55 Chickasaw, the only one operated by RTPAD, although it also used three ex-military H.19s, which have since been passed onto Laos.
Only two Sikorsky S-62As were operated by RTPAD.
It was from here on in on my excursion into the controlled area that people began to notice that there was a gringo, or whatever the Thai word for obnoxious foreigner is, wandering about taking photos. A woman, who introduced herself as Joy pulled up on a scooter and asked what I was doing. She said that I could continue taking photos, but I was not to photograph the hangars or any of the aircraft airside, to which I gratefully agreed, then she rode off. That wasn't the end of it, though...
This beat up Cessna 310 could do with a bit of love. Only two 310Fs were delivered to the RTPAD, this one is the only survivor as the other was lost in 1980.
More to come from the RTPAD, including being surrounded by armed police!
Last edited:
Snautzer01
Honourably banned
- 43,389
- Mar 26, 2007
A lovely read again.
SaparotRob
Unter Gemeine Geschwader Murmeltier XIII
The word is farong.
- Thread starter
- #39
- Thread starter
- #40
Thanks for watching on, guys. We are at the RTPAD taking photos of the static airframes sitting about the government compound. This is an AESL Airtourer, which is the stablemate of the Airtrainer I talked about in the previous post. The Airtourer was originally designed by Australian Henry Millicer, chief designer of the Government Aircraft Factories that had built Beaufighters and Beauforts during the war and Canberras afterwards, and was put into production by Victa as an entry to a competition by the British Royal Aero Club. After Victa production shut down, Aero Engine Services Ltd in Hamilton, New Zealand bought the rights to manufacture the Airtourer. AESL built 80 in total, this one being the only example that the RTPAD operated and was delivered in 1972.
_ADP9229
One of 23 Hiller 360 helicopter the RTPAD operated, this is a UH-12E Model.
_ADP9231
At this stage, things began to get a little interesting for me on my unsanctioned jaunt around the RTPAD grounds, as I soon found myself approached by no less than five armed police officers. At first there were two of them, then three more arrived on scooters! Because I didn't speak Thai, out came Google Translate and inquiries as to why I was there were swiftly answered. The officers were in no way threatening and did not draw their weapons, as the senior among them conducted the questioning. Soon, however, a black car arrived and a fella wearing a leather jacket got out and began talking hurriedly to the officers, shooing them away with his hands until there were only two left. He pointed at me and in his spiel he said "pilot" in English, to which I responded "engineer". He smiled at me and said to his officers, "see!", then gesticulated to them to leave me alone, got back in his car and drove off! The fella conducting the questions repeated what I had been told by Joy, that I can continue taking photos but not to photograph the active ramp area. It served me right, really, I expected some kind of response when I entered the grounds, I guess I was expecting it sooner than it happened!
On my way out I snapped a few more shots of the Porter and this Bell Jet Ranger, one of 14 operated by RTPAD and still in service.
_ADP9233
That nifty Porter again.
_ADP9216
As I was about to walk back to Ram Inthra Road, the officer who had asked me the questions pulled up on a scooter and asked for a photograph of me for his records, which I duly obliged, then he said something in broken English that I certainly wasn't expecting, he said "enjoy taking photos and good luck"! Boy, the Thais are nice people! There's no way that I could have gotten away with such a thing in New Zealand, or any other country, to be frank, so I was fortunate the officers were in a good mood that day!
Fast forward after a busy day out and a refreshing swim in the hotel pool, something I did every day, I showered, ate and then headed back to the Thai Air Force Museum to attend its "Night at the Museum". This is the F-5A in the foyer, lit up for the occasion. The place was heaving with people and food vendors, a stage with traditional Thai performers and shop stalls were set up next to the aircraft in the compound out the back of the museum buildings, lending a festive air to the evening. I was there for one purpose, though, to take photos of the aircraft, although I did enjoy a (bluddy strong) iced coffee and other refreshments. Mercifully, there weren't many people in the halls, just me at times, despite the sheer number on site.
_ADP9240
F-5F Tiger II, this, as written under the cockpit sill is the oldest Tiger variant of the F-5. Northrop's F-5 was a staple of the RTAF for years and F-5THs, Tiger IIs modified in Israel with new avionics and the capability to fire beyond Visual Range AAMs etc, are still in service. A total of 40 F-5Es and two-seat F-5Fs have been operated by RTAF, of which around 30 are currently operational.
_ADP9241
According to the staff present, this is the only Saab JAS-39 Gripen exhibited in a museum outside of Sweden. Thailand currently operates 11 of an initial order of 12 Gripens, one of which was sadly lost during an airshow in 2017, killing the pilot. More have been ordered to replace older F-16As currently in RTAF service. I was fortunate to get these photos while there weren't many people in this gallery as pretty quickly it filled up with children who insisted in viewing the cockpits of the two open aircraft.
_ADP9242
This is the oldest F-5A Freedom fighter surviving, apparently. One of a total of 29 early model Freedom Fighters operated by RTAF, the type suffered a high attrition rate in service and were replaced by the Tiger II, although the last was retired in 2016. The museum has seven F-5s on display, with more in store.
_ADP9245
These intriguing replicas represent indigenous Siamese aircraft constructed by Royal Siamese Air Force (RSAF) Aeronautical Workshops. The single seater is a full scale replica of the Pradjadipok, which was a fighter designed in 1927 and was initially powered by a 345 hp Curtiss D-12 engine, but was also fitted with a 600 hp BMW VI, which powered the other indigenous Siamese aircraft of the time, the Paribatra. Only one Prajadipok was built to evaluate the type for production to replace the Nieuport Delage NiD.29C, which first entered Siamese service in 1923 and saw licence production to the tune of 40 examples. Production of the indigenous fighter did not take place because it demonstrated performance no better than that of the fighter it was supposed to replace.
The two seat replica is a 3/4 scale model of the Paribatra, also spelt as Boripatra, which, in 1927 was the first indigenous Siamese/Thai aircraft to fly. Built by the RSAF, the Paribatra was a reconnaissance bomber powered by a selection of foreign engines, such as the 450 hp Bristol Jupiter, the 345 hp Curtiss D-12, as the model is configured, the 600 hp BMW VI, and the 740 hp Pratt & Whitney Hornet. Designed to replace the Breguet XIV in RSAF service, somewhat ambiguously, online sources state that less than 12 were built, although the museum display on the type in another hangar states that around 15 were built. Despite the Paribatra demonstrating better performance than the outdated Breguets, the French aircraft were kept in service because it was cheaper to continue to buy spares from France, including engines, which sealed the fate of the Paribatra.
_ADP9251
This is world's only surviving Vought O2U Corsair airframe, it is a V-93S built specifically for the Siamese government, who received 12 in 1934. An important type in Siamese/Thai history, the Corsair was put into licence production, with 75 being constructed locally. I'm not sure whether this is a Siamese or US built Corsair. Initially used as a two seat fighter, the Corsair was also used for attack and naval reconnaissance, for which it was fitted with floats and placed aboard the two Taksin Class sloops.
_ADP9254
The propeller blade in front of the aircraft describes the first air battle in Thai history, which took place on 28 November 1940 between a Corsair and two Curtiss Hawk IIIs against five French bombers attacking Nakhon Phanom District in eastern Thailand. A single French aircraft was shot down, while the remaining four retreated.
_ADP9256
A Curtiss Hawk III or BF2C-1, another important type in the RSAF and RTAF, which was the mainstay of the air force during WW2, until the arrival of modern Japanese Nakajima Ki-27 and Ki-43 fighters. Siam had already received 12 Curtiss Hawk IIs, the F11C-2 Goshawk to replace its Nieuport Delage NiD.29s in 1934, but decided to order the improved performance BF2C instead of more Hawk IIs and received 24 a year later. A further 50 were locally built and despite the arrival of modern fighters throughout WW2, the Hawk III remained in frontline service during the war, being relegated secondary roles afterwards until 1949.
_ADP9261
The propeller blade recounts the exploits of the Hawk IIIs and Corsairs mentioned in the previous post, but written in Thai.
_ADP9262
This F8F was difficult to photograph because of its dark colour against a dark background and lit from behind. I've never seen a decent photo of this aircraft. Another significant type in RTAF service, a total of 204 F8Fs were operated by the RTAF, which included 38 bought from Thailand's former enemy France. The Bearcat remains the most numerous type operated by the RTAF. The type represented a major shift in RTAF structural arrangement, with the adoption of US type squadron organisation across the board, while it was the most modern RTAF fighter when the first batch of 40 arrived in 1951 as deck cargo aboard the CVE USS Cape Esperance. Instantly popular among Thai pilots, the Bearcat remained in service until withdrawn in 1963, by then replaced on the frontline by the F-84G.
_ADP9266
The RTAF's first jet fighter, the F-84G Thunderjet was a significant leap forward in technology over the F8F interceptors in service, although it was in service for a brief period only. A total of 31 were bought, which were supplemented by, then replaced entirely by the F-86F five years after their arrival in Thailand in 1956.
_ADP9268
This next hall is my favourite in the museum as it is light and airy and has a number of air con units dotted around it blasting out cool air. A replica of a Breguet XIV, the main bomber type operated by the RSAF in the 1920s and 30s. As such the Siamese designated it Bomber No.1, the first eight of which arrived in 1919 for a total of 28 bought from France, with local licence production of a further 40. This is fascinating in that Siam/Thailand had an indigenous aircraft industry established early in the second decade of powered flight, which established the country as one of the most powerful militarily and industrially in the region. Immediately after WW1 there weren't many countries in the Asia/Pacific that had an aircraft manufacturing industry.
_ADP9272
A reader favourite, this Tachikawa Ki-55 is one of only two survivors, the other is in China, although this one is the smartest presented. Twenty four were delivered to the RTAF as advanced trainers in 1942, along with 12 Ki-27bs as a token gesture of Japanese support for Thailand following its invasion of the country on 8 December 1941 (the same time as the attack on Pearl Harbor, but given SE Asia is a day ahead of the USA, it was the 8th), a bitter blow for the Thai nation, who considered Japan an ally beforehand. The Ki-27s and Ki-55s, corralled from Japanese stocks in Manchuria, were preceded by the arrival of orders for Ki-21s and Ki-30s in 1940 and 1941. These, along with six Martin 139s delivered in 1937 as the RSAF's first monoplanes and 12 Curtiss Hawk 75Ns in 1938 (1939? See later in the thread), brought the RTAF into the modern monoplane age. Following losses among the Hawk 75Ns and Martin bombers during the Japanese invasion, the RTAF's Japanese types became its primary combat aircraft throughout the war, although its most numerous combat types were its biplane Hawk IIIs and Vought Corsairs.
_ADP9274
Sadly, the Ki-55 is the only surviving complete example of the Japanese aeroplanes operated by the RTAF, which included 24 Ki-43 IIs delivered in 1944. It is interesting to note that Thailand was the only export customer of the Ki-43, all other foreign operators inherited the type, either from post-war Japanese stocks or via third parties. Two other contemporary Japanese aircraft are in the museum collection, which we'll see in the next post, and the museum has wreckage from a crashed Ki-27 and Ki-43 on display.
_ADP9379
Our last aircraft for this post is the Boeing 100E, the only surviving Boeing F4B derived airframe left. Its story ties in with the Siamese quest for advanced fighters during the late 1920s, as two were bought to compete alongside two Bristol Bulldogs and two Heinkel-designed fighters. Arriving in Siam in December 1929, the two Boeings were the first of the six evaluation fighters delivered, with the Bulldogs and the Heinkels arriving within days of each other in January 1930. A note before I continue, in the source of information I am reading, the Heinkel fighters are designated as HD 43b and HD 43D (on the same pages), but I have my doubts as most sources state that there was only a single prototype HD 43 built and it was completed in 1931, a full year after the Boeings and Bulldogs arrived in Siam. According to this source, a total of four HD 43s were built, two of which went to Siam but all I can find is that the Soviets built the aircraft it was derived from, the HD 37, as the Polikarpov I-7...
_ADP9278
Following evaluation of the fighters, none of the types evaluated were ordered and it wasn't until in 1933 before a new fighter was ordered to replace the Nieuport Delage NiD.29s it had operated since 1923. These were the 12 Curtiss Hawk IIs that were delivered a year later. Following evaluation the Boeings were operated as training aircraft, along with the Bulldogs and Heinkels, the former being withdrawn in 1932, while the Heinkels were allegedly disposed of as late as 1940. What happened to the other Boeing is not recorded. This is the oldest surviving aircraft operated by the Thai/Siamese air forces.
_ADP9279
Next time, we continue with our Night at the Museum and discuss the fascinating background to the lovely Curtiss Hawk 75N.
One of 23 Hiller 360 helicopter the RTPAD operated, this is a UH-12E Model.
At this stage, things began to get a little interesting for me on my unsanctioned jaunt around the RTPAD grounds, as I soon found myself approached by no less than five armed police officers. At first there were two of them, then three more arrived on scooters! Because I didn't speak Thai, out came Google Translate and inquiries as to why I was there were swiftly answered. The officers were in no way threatening and did not draw their weapons, as the senior among them conducted the questioning. Soon, however, a black car arrived and a fella wearing a leather jacket got out and began talking hurriedly to the officers, shooing them away with his hands until there were only two left. He pointed at me and in his spiel he said "pilot" in English, to which I responded "engineer". He smiled at me and said to his officers, "see!", then gesticulated to them to leave me alone, got back in his car and drove off! The fella conducting the questions repeated what I had been told by Joy, that I can continue taking photos but not to photograph the active ramp area. It served me right, really, I expected some kind of response when I entered the grounds, I guess I was expecting it sooner than it happened!
On my way out I snapped a few more shots of the Porter and this Bell Jet Ranger, one of 14 operated by RTPAD and still in service.
That nifty Porter again.
As I was about to walk back to Ram Inthra Road, the officer who had asked me the questions pulled up on a scooter and asked for a photograph of me for his records, which I duly obliged, then he said something in broken English that I certainly wasn't expecting, he said "enjoy taking photos and good luck"! Boy, the Thais are nice people! There's no way that I could have gotten away with such a thing in New Zealand, or any other country, to be frank, so I was fortunate the officers were in a good mood that day!
Fast forward after a busy day out and a refreshing swim in the hotel pool, something I did every day, I showered, ate and then headed back to the Thai Air Force Museum to attend its "Night at the Museum". This is the F-5A in the foyer, lit up for the occasion. The place was heaving with people and food vendors, a stage with traditional Thai performers and shop stalls were set up next to the aircraft in the compound out the back of the museum buildings, lending a festive air to the evening. I was there for one purpose, though, to take photos of the aircraft, although I did enjoy a (bluddy strong) iced coffee and other refreshments. Mercifully, there weren't many people in the halls, just me at times, despite the sheer number on site.
F-5F Tiger II, this, as written under the cockpit sill is the oldest Tiger variant of the F-5. Northrop's F-5 was a staple of the RTAF for years and F-5THs, Tiger IIs modified in Israel with new avionics and the capability to fire beyond Visual Range AAMs etc, are still in service. A total of 40 F-5Es and two-seat F-5Fs have been operated by RTAF, of which around 30 are currently operational.
According to the staff present, this is the only Saab JAS-39 Gripen exhibited in a museum outside of Sweden. Thailand currently operates 11 of an initial order of 12 Gripens, one of which was sadly lost during an airshow in 2017, killing the pilot. More have been ordered to replace older F-16As currently in RTAF service. I was fortunate to get these photos while there weren't many people in this gallery as pretty quickly it filled up with children who insisted in viewing the cockpits of the two open aircraft.
This is the oldest F-5A Freedom fighter surviving, apparently. One of a total of 29 early model Freedom Fighters operated by RTAF, the type suffered a high attrition rate in service and were replaced by the Tiger II, although the last was retired in 2016. The museum has seven F-5s on display, with more in store.
These intriguing replicas represent indigenous Siamese aircraft constructed by Royal Siamese Air Force (RSAF) Aeronautical Workshops. The single seater is a full scale replica of the Pradjadipok, which was a fighter designed in 1927 and was initially powered by a 345 hp Curtiss D-12 engine, but was also fitted with a 600 hp BMW VI, which powered the other indigenous Siamese aircraft of the time, the Paribatra. Only one Prajadipok was built to evaluate the type for production to replace the Nieuport Delage NiD.29C, which first entered Siamese service in 1923 and saw licence production to the tune of 40 examples. Production of the indigenous fighter did not take place because it demonstrated performance no better than that of the fighter it was supposed to replace.
The two seat replica is a 3/4 scale model of the Paribatra, also spelt as Boripatra, which, in 1927 was the first indigenous Siamese/Thai aircraft to fly. Built by the RSAF, the Paribatra was a reconnaissance bomber powered by a selection of foreign engines, such as the 450 hp Bristol Jupiter, the 345 hp Curtiss D-12, as the model is configured, the 600 hp BMW VI, and the 740 hp Pratt & Whitney Hornet. Designed to replace the Breguet XIV in RSAF service, somewhat ambiguously, online sources state that less than 12 were built, although the museum display on the type in another hangar states that around 15 were built. Despite the Paribatra demonstrating better performance than the outdated Breguets, the French aircraft were kept in service because it was cheaper to continue to buy spares from France, including engines, which sealed the fate of the Paribatra.
This is world's only surviving Vought O2U Corsair airframe, it is a V-93S built specifically for the Siamese government, who received 12 in 1934. An important type in Siamese/Thai history, the Corsair was put into licence production, with 75 being constructed locally. I'm not sure whether this is a Siamese or US built Corsair. Initially used as a two seat fighter, the Corsair was also used for attack and naval reconnaissance, for which it was fitted with floats and placed aboard the two Taksin Class sloops.
The propeller blade in front of the aircraft describes the first air battle in Thai history, which took place on 28 November 1940 between a Corsair and two Curtiss Hawk IIIs against five French bombers attacking Nakhon Phanom District in eastern Thailand. A single French aircraft was shot down, while the remaining four retreated.
A Curtiss Hawk III or BF2C-1, another important type in the RSAF and RTAF, which was the mainstay of the air force during WW2, until the arrival of modern Japanese Nakajima Ki-27 and Ki-43 fighters. Siam had already received 12 Curtiss Hawk IIs, the F11C-2 Goshawk to replace its Nieuport Delage NiD.29s in 1934, but decided to order the improved performance BF2C instead of more Hawk IIs and received 24 a year later. A further 50 were locally built and despite the arrival of modern fighters throughout WW2, the Hawk III remained in frontline service during the war, being relegated secondary roles afterwards until 1949.
The propeller blade recounts the exploits of the Hawk IIIs and Corsairs mentioned in the previous post, but written in Thai.
This F8F was difficult to photograph because of its dark colour against a dark background and lit from behind. I've never seen a decent photo of this aircraft. Another significant type in RTAF service, a total of 204 F8Fs were operated by the RTAF, which included 38 bought from Thailand's former enemy France. The Bearcat remains the most numerous type operated by the RTAF. The type represented a major shift in RTAF structural arrangement, with the adoption of US type squadron organisation across the board, while it was the most modern RTAF fighter when the first batch of 40 arrived in 1951 as deck cargo aboard the CVE USS Cape Esperance. Instantly popular among Thai pilots, the Bearcat remained in service until withdrawn in 1963, by then replaced on the frontline by the F-84G.
The RTAF's first jet fighter, the F-84G Thunderjet was a significant leap forward in technology over the F8F interceptors in service, although it was in service for a brief period only. A total of 31 were bought, which were supplemented by, then replaced entirely by the F-86F five years after their arrival in Thailand in 1956.
This next hall is my favourite in the museum as it is light and airy and has a number of air con units dotted around it blasting out cool air. A replica of a Breguet XIV, the main bomber type operated by the RSAF in the 1920s and 30s. As such the Siamese designated it Bomber No.1, the first eight of which arrived in 1919 for a total of 28 bought from France, with local licence production of a further 40. This is fascinating in that Siam/Thailand had an indigenous aircraft industry established early in the second decade of powered flight, which established the country as one of the most powerful militarily and industrially in the region. Immediately after WW1 there weren't many countries in the Asia/Pacific that had an aircraft manufacturing industry.
A reader favourite, this Tachikawa Ki-55 is one of only two survivors, the other is in China, although this one is the smartest presented. Twenty four were delivered to the RTAF as advanced trainers in 1942, along with 12 Ki-27bs as a token gesture of Japanese support for Thailand following its invasion of the country on 8 December 1941 (the same time as the attack on Pearl Harbor, but given SE Asia is a day ahead of the USA, it was the 8th), a bitter blow for the Thai nation, who considered Japan an ally beforehand. The Ki-27s and Ki-55s, corralled from Japanese stocks in Manchuria, were preceded by the arrival of orders for Ki-21s and Ki-30s in 1940 and 1941. These, along with six Martin 139s delivered in 1937 as the RSAF's first monoplanes and 12 Curtiss Hawk 75Ns in 1938 (1939? See later in the thread), brought the RTAF into the modern monoplane age. Following losses among the Hawk 75Ns and Martin bombers during the Japanese invasion, the RTAF's Japanese types became its primary combat aircraft throughout the war, although its most numerous combat types were its biplane Hawk IIIs and Vought Corsairs.
Sadly, the Ki-55 is the only surviving complete example of the Japanese aeroplanes operated by the RTAF, which included 24 Ki-43 IIs delivered in 1944. It is interesting to note that Thailand was the only export customer of the Ki-43, all other foreign operators inherited the type, either from post-war Japanese stocks or via third parties. Two other contemporary Japanese aircraft are in the museum collection, which we'll see in the next post, and the museum has wreckage from a crashed Ki-27 and Ki-43 on display.
Our last aircraft for this post is the Boeing 100E, the only surviving Boeing F4B derived airframe left. Its story ties in with the Siamese quest for advanced fighters during the late 1920s, as two were bought to compete alongside two Bristol Bulldogs and two Heinkel-designed fighters. Arriving in Siam in December 1929, the two Boeings were the first of the six evaluation fighters delivered, with the Bulldogs and the Heinkels arriving within days of each other in January 1930. A note before I continue, in the source of information I am reading, the Heinkel fighters are designated as HD 43b and HD 43D (on the same pages), but I have my doubts as most sources state that there was only a single prototype HD 43 built and it was completed in 1931, a full year after the Boeings and Bulldogs arrived in Siam. According to this source, a total of four HD 43s were built, two of which went to Siam but all I can find is that the Soviets built the aircraft it was derived from, the HD 37, as the Polikarpov I-7...
Following evaluation of the fighters, none of the types evaluated were ordered and it wasn't until in 1933 before a new fighter was ordered to replace the Nieuport Delage NiD.29s it had operated since 1923. These were the 12 Curtiss Hawk IIs that were delivered a year later. Following evaluation the Boeings were operated as training aircraft, along with the Bulldogs and Heinkels, the former being withdrawn in 1932, while the Heinkels were allegedly disposed of as late as 1940. What happened to the other Boeing is not recorded. This is the oldest surviving aircraft operated by the Thai/Siamese air forces.
Next time, we continue with our Night at the Museum and discuss the fascinating background to the lovely Curtiss Hawk 75N.
Last edited:
