Squadron of 'lost' Spitfires buried in Burma after WW II could fly again in three years
London, Nov. 29 (ANI)
A 'lost' squadron of Spitfires buried in Burma after the Second World War could be flying again within three years, experts have said.
Archaeologists will begin digging for the historic stockpile of at least 36 British fighter planes in January.
A proportion of the aircraft will then be carefully packaged and brought back to the UK next year, where they will be restored, the Telegraph reports.
David Cundall, a farmer and aviation enthusiast from Scunthorpe, Lincs, has spent 16 years researching the project after being told about the burial by a group of US veterans, the report said.
Cundall has since been to Burma 16 times conducting surveys and negotiating with the authorities.
"Hopefully, they will be brought back to the UK and will be flying at air shows," he said.
"We have had offers from British companies to restore them and put their logos on them which is acceptable to me," he added.
The extraordinary treasure hunt was described as a 'story of British determination against all odds'.
According to the report, surveys undertaken at one of three sites in Burma have shown that large areas of electrically conductive material are present underground at a depth of around 10 metres.
Under an agreement signed with the Burmese authorities, Cundall will be entitled to a 30 percent share of the discovery, his agents to 20 percent and the Burmese to 50 percent, which is expected to be put up for sale, the report said.
The January dig, using two diggers, a crane and a bulldozer, will involve taking off and examining a layer of soil at a time, the report added.