Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand) Tourist Guide


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FLYING INTO HISTORY

by Graeme Monaghan

In December 2003 the world celebrated 100 years of heavier-than-air flight. In that historical blink of an eye since two bicycle repairers managed to stay airborne for a whole 12 seconds, considerable progress has been made to put it mildly. Every day of the year millions of passengers are transported around the globe in considerable comfort and at breathtaking speed. When one stops to think about this massive achievement, the mind absolutely boggles. So, I thought, what better time to step back into the past and take a look at some of the flying machines of history, and what better place to go than the Chiang Mai Aircraft Museum.

Piper J3 Cockpit

Firstly let me tell you it is situated at Air Force Base, Wing 41, the entrance to which is opposite the entrance to the Chiang Mai Airport and, as it is a military base, you are required to leave your passport at the gate and reclaim it after your visit. It is worth noting too that, should you be on a motorbike, a helmet is essential. Also, it is best not to go alone but with a tourist guide or group, and for two reasons. Firstly, the museum is a little difficult to locate, as the Air Force grounds are considerable. Secondly, and a little unfortunately, the signs giving specifications of the aircraft are all in the Thai language, so unless you are fluent in that regard, you will now understand why you need the assistance of a guide. As one who grew up during World War ll, I was always fascinated by aircraft, especially the fighting planes of the era. As my father and an uncle were both members of the Australian Air Force during that time, I made it my childhood hobby to be able to identify almost every plane that was flying at the time.

Flying Tiger Poster

Fortunately I never saw any enemy planes first hand but I knew what they looked like had they ever appeared. Messerschmits, Junkers, Hurricanes, Blenheim Bombers, Lancasters and, of course, the most famous of all, the Spitfire, were all part of everyday knowledge to me in those far off days. To return to Wing 41, the first thing that strikes one, especially in some of the earlier planes, is the flimsiness of the construction, and some were literally made of plywood. When I looked into the cockpit of one of these I could not but stare in amazement at the cramped and uncomfortable conditions that the pilots of the day had to endure. The Piper J3 I looked into had barely six or seven instrument dials to give the pilot whatever information they could provide, which could not have been much. This plane was built in the late 1920s, had a brake horsepower of 115, a top speed of 135 kph and could stay aloft for just over 300 kilometres. When one considers the hundreds, or more, electronic instruments in a modern passenger aircraft one cannot but be in awe of the long-dead heroes who braved the elements, vague navigational instruments and mechanical failures for the joy of flying and who, to use an old clich�, �flew by the seat of their pants�.

As one would expect, there is probably the best-known training plane of all time, the Tiger Moth. This ever-reliable machine was created back in 1931 and many are still flying to this day. It had a top speed of 172 kph and a range of a whole 443 kilometres. Amongst the World War II planes was the famous American fighter, the Mustang XP-51. Originated in 1940, the project was completed in a mere 120 days and the first aircraft flew on 1st May 1942. Though built in America it contained a British Rolls Royce engine that pushed its speed towards that of the other main fighters of the day. It also carried six machine guns. For me, the highlight of the museum was perfectly conditioned Japanese Zero. I was quite surprised by its size as I had always imagined it as a rather small fighter but it actually seated three people. The Zero was a revolution of construction, and the designers sacrificed protection of the pilot and the fuel tanks to reduce weight so the plane would have superior maneuverability and range. A range that carried it more than 1,760 kilometres plus its superior flying talents gave some experts the belief that the Zero was the greatest fighting aircraft of WW ll.

Japanese Zero fighter

One of the surprising things of the aircraft on view is that almost all of them are still in flying condition. Wing 41 does not only keep these planes as showpieces, but also keeps them serviceable and restores old machines to their former glory. I actually watched as a man fashioned a large wooden propeller. There is one aircraft on show that cannot be restored to its former self, and that is the wreckage of a Flying Tiger craft, which was found in the northern jungle some years back. The Flying Tigers were a group of 92 American flyers that volunteered to fight in Burma before America entered the war. They painted their plane fuselages with shark�s teeth motif for a terrifying effect, and actually took part in an early morning raid on a Japanese occupied airfield in Chiang Mai in 1943. Interestingly enough, a memorial to these gallant men was recently dedicated at the Chiang Mai cemetery.

For lovers of history, and aeroplane buffs in particular, the museum is well worth the visit, and I have no doubt that you will shake you head in wonder at the bravery of the people that flew them.

NOTE: To arrange a visit, your guide can call Wing 41 on 053 281 013.