Miss Siam: The Wings of Friendship - Commemorating 92 Years of Thai Aviation Pioneering
A piece of aviation history reborn! In 1994, Group Captain Veerayuth Didyasarin embarked on an impressive project to restore "Miss Siam" aircraft. The restoration took two years and six months, from 1997 to 1998. PHOTO/CAAT
In 1932, a remarkable feat of aviation technology and human perseverance unfolded as "Miss Siam," a cutting-edge aircraft of its time, completed a historic flight from Thailand to China. In this article, Global Trekker invites you to delve into the technological marvels that made this journey possible and the skilled aviator who dared to push the limits of early 20th-century flight.
The Pilot: Group Captain Luen Phongsobhon, a former scholarship student of King Prajadhipok (Rama VII), honed his skills in aeronautics at Parks Air College (P.A.C.) of St. Louis College in the United States. His exceptional flying abilities led to a successful career in aerobatics, showcasing the precision and control possible with the era's aircraft technology.
The Aircraft: OX-5 Travel Air 2000 "Miss Siam," Phongsobhon's private aircraft, was an OX-5 Travel Air 2000 model—a technological marvel of its time:
Engine: Powered by the revolutionary Curtiss OX-5 engine, a water-cooled V8 producing 90 horsepower, featuring an aluminium alloy crankcase and overhead valves for improved efficiency.
Airframe: Utilised a biplane configuration with a welded steel tube fuselage and fabric-covered wooden wings, balancing strength, weight, and repairability.
Control Systems: Employed conventional three-axis control with cable-operated surfaces, allowing precise manoeuvring.
Navigation: Equipped with basic but crucial instruments like a magnetic compass, airspeed indicator, and altimeter.
Fuel System: Featured gravity-fed fuel tanks eliminate the need for complex pumps.
Landing Gear: Used a fixed, conventional (taildragger) configuration, prioritising durability for diverse landing conditions.
The Historic Flight
PHOTO/CAAT
On June 19, 1932, Group Captain Phongsobhon embarked on his solo flight to China, aiming to strengthen diplomatic ties. This 17-day journey pushed both pilot and aircraft to their limits, showcasing the capabilities of early aviation technology.
Technological Challenges:
Navigation: Using basic instruments, Phongsobhon had to plot his course over vast, often unmapped territories skillfully.
Weather: The aircraft's open cockpit and limited weather forecasting of the era made flying through diverse climate zones extremely challenging.
Endurance: Both the aircraft's fuel capacity and the pilot's physical endurance were tested on this long-distance flight.
Legacy and Impact
Miss Siam's flight was not just a diplomatic mission but a testament to the rapid advancements in aviation technology. As one of only three aircraft of its kind certified for passenger transport by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, it represented the cutting edge of 1930s aviation safety and performance.
This 40cm x 20cm replica of the "Miss Siam" aircraft was presented as a diplomat souvenir at the "Wings of Friendship" event. PHOTO/CAAT
June 19, 2024, marked the 92nd anniversary of the flight. To commemorate this significant occasion and to honour the importance of Thai civil aviation, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) organised a special event. During the event, a replica of the Miss Siam aircraft was presented to the heirs and family of Group Caption Luen Phongsobhon. The replica was also presented to the Foundation for the Preservation and Development of Thai Aircraft under Royal Patronage, which is responsible for the preservation of the Miss Siam aircraft and authorised CAAT to produce the replica (40 cm x 20 cm) as a souvenir.
CAAT has previously presented Miss Siam aircraft replicas to important figures such as Mr. Suriya Jungrungreungkit, Minister of Thai Transport, and Mr. Han Kok Juan, Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS). CAAT's goal is for the Miss Siam aircraft replicas to serve as a bridge to foster friendship with aviation agencies around the world, in line with the original mission.
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