The British Spitfire is practically perfect in every way. With the discovery of 20 additional aircraft, the number of flying examples may soon rise to 55! (Photo: Thundersprint)
While not a GIjOE article per se, this story is guaranteed to warm the hearts of all…
The Spitfire is considered by most aviation and military experts to be one of the most perfect airplanes ever built. It’s streamlined fuselage and elegant wing design are superb examples of aircraft engineering artistry at its very finest. It’s deadly nimble in the air and stunningly beautiful from any angle. The Spitfire’s unique silhouette has inspired the creation of countless TV shows, movies, documentaries, model kits, paintings and toys; each spin-off as popular as the next.
However, for over 67 years, ever since the end of WW2, the remaining number of serviceable, airworthy Spitfires has steadily dwindled, reaching today’s all-time low of just 35 planes worldwide.
There isn’t a bad view or rough angle on this elegant aircraft. As Warbirds go, it’s undeniably one of the most beautiful. (Photo: HAC / Stuart Adams – The Flying Photographic Company)
Fortunately, for fans of the beloved “Spits,” however, the number of available planes is about to almost double, due to the recent astounding discovery of 20 additional aircraft found buried 40-feet underground in Burma. The vintage fighter planes should be in perfect and NOS (New, Old-Stock) condition, having never been un-crated or flown during the war.
Apparently, the planes were buried towards the end of the war because they had become obsolete and the Allies didn’t want them to fall into the hands of the Japanese. Of course, enthusiasts of WW2 “Warbirds,” military history buffs and action figure collectors are all equally excited about this stunning discovery, especially after learning that yes, the buried planes were still INSIDE their shipping crates, tarred, lubed and sealed up tight.
We’re certain your RAF Joes are happy to hear this news. “Scramble all Pilots!”
(Photo: Mark Otnes)
We have one man to thank for all of this wonderful news—David Cundall, a 62 year-old UK farmer from Scunthorpe. Using radar imaging technology, Cundall spent 15 years searching for the Spitfires, spending over £130,000 of his own money. Now THAT’S dedication. According to Cundall in an article in the UK’s Telegraph:
David Cundell
(Photo Sean Spencer)
“I’m only a small farmer, I’m not a multi-millionaire and it has been a struggle. It took me more than 15 years but I finally found them. Spitfires are beautiful aeroplanes and should not be rotting away in a foreign land. They saved our neck in the Battle of Britain and they should be preserved. They were just buried transport crates. They were waxed, wrapped in greased paper and their joints tarred. They will be in near perfect condition. It’s been a financial nightmare but hopefully I’ll get my money back. My dream is to have a flying squadron at air shows.”
Bottom Line: Here at The Joe Report, we’re big fans of vintage, WW2 Warbirds. Our deepest thanks, congratulations and best wishes go out to Mr. Cundall for his amazing acheivement. Surely, as his 20 Spitfires are recovered, documentaries will be made and interest in the plane’s role in the Battle of Britain and WW2 will continue to grow. Perhaps we’ll even see the creation of additional RAF-inspired uniform sets!
The Joe Report 
The setting is post WWII Asia, Specifically the (fictitious) tiny kingdom of Tong-Kai. Tong-Kai is being pushed around by a larger aggressive neighbor-the Republic of Somoy (also fictitious).Several of the kingdoms agents have been recruiting pilots from the region (mostly down and out ex-RAF or U.S. Army Air corps Pilots) to help build an air force. When the pilots meet at the requisite seedy bar, they are met by a former RAF Colonel. and briefed on the mission:To trek into the jungle and retrieve a squadron of Spitfires that were hidden in the jungle during the war and forgotten. They have to trek in with batteries and fuel, build the planes, prepare a field, fly them back and hump the spare parts and extra ammo back to civilization.When they get get back to the capital they then have to help fight off the invasion led by the mad dictator of Somoy.During the trek there are wild animals, vicious bandits and headhunters, maybe even a platoon of Japanese who don’t know the war has been over for five years. you could even toss in some Red Chinese or Russian spies.With a little work this could be quite a fun mini campaign for either Dicey Tales or DOGS of War.And the cool thing is it’s very plausible!
I too am delighted to read the Grand News of these possible finds, funded by modest Leicestershire Farmer. To cast such distain of those former brave aviators is a disgrace describing them as ‘Down and Out ex RAF and US Army Air corps Pilots, demonstrates your lack of comprehending the history and environment of that region at the time. That is the reasion why ‘The Allies were involved during WW 2’. That so called seedy bar was the norm. Many of those commited pilots rightly supported the citizen of that country too post WW 2. Not Dogs of war What impertenance !
I am glad to hear about the spitfire find in Burma those planes I heard are -14 models are they “full house” in the crates would love to see pics of the recovery of them I’m a aviation tech and mad about spits fly them out of Burma he he he
Allrriight! A Spitfire of any mark is a real find. I hope that the guy can get them all out.-JIM
Well Mr Cullard at a time when this world has forgotten that freedom isn’t free never has and never will be you Mr Cullard have relighted the candle you might awaken the world with your squadrons of spits to remind most what was fought for in WWII .
Amen! Boy, would I love to see a squadron of Spits!!!!!!!
What a shame it all turned out to be a pipe dream, with no aitcraft actually found and probably none ever buried.
I heard that they thought there was really buried planes but it wasnt true. I havent seen any updates or pictures to prove it fact.
I wonder if we’ll ever know.
So what’s the real story here? Did they actually find these aircraft or is this story not confirmed and just wishful thinking?
Fabulous story. To David Cundell, I’m an ex para and ex RAF elec/tech and I live close by in Doncaster area, close to our beloved Vulcan and I would love to get involved with our “old-time” RAF hardware, particularly in a hands-on restoration way. So— love to hear from you and/or the team. PS— I served with the light artillery component of the parachute brigade initially, but later transferred to the RAF serving at RAF Coningsby (F4 Phantoms) till 1974.
Sadly, it appears the hope of finding buried Spits in Burma is no more. According to the 2013 update on this story from UK Sky News:
A group of archaeologists, historians and scientists have admitted defeat in a mystery which has spanned decades. After just over a month of digging for lost World War Two Spitfire planes in Burma they have concluded that none exists.
No Spitfires were delivered in crates and buried at RAF Mingaladon (in Burma) during 1945 and 1946,” a statement from the company funding the search read. Rather than discovering the iconic World War Two planes, the team uncovered evidence which suggested that it would have been impossible to have buried them.
The documents tell a story of appalling weather conditions at Mingaladon (airbase) and shortages of everything from heavy equipment to timber and labour all of which we believe suggests it would be almost impossible that the Royal Air Force could have buried aircraft thirty feet deep in wooden crates even if it had wanted to do so, a statement from the team said.
The team now believes, based on clear documentary evidence, as well as the evidence from the fieldwork, that no Spitfires were delivered in crates and buried.
Most significantly, the archival records show that the RAF unit that handled shipments through Rangoon docks, 41 Embarkation Unit, only received 37 aircraft in total from three transport ships between 1945 and 1946.
Ask Wensley Haydon-Baillie, I believe he and his brother Ormond got involved. But Ormond is dead now – killed in Germany on a demo flight.