Transporting the Royal Family is an important task of the Royal Thai Air Force. Throughout time a variety of aircraft have been used for this. One of these is VC-123K 55-569.

Bangkok-Don Muang, 2 February 1981, Adrian M. Balch

Twelve Chipmunk T20s were converted into RTAF 4 Chantra trainers between 1972-1974. The type was withdrawn in 1989. This one, seen at Bangkok-Don Muang in February 1976, is serialed F17-07/17

collection Dick Lohuis

Bangkok/Don Muang (VTBD)

RWY 03L/21R, 03R/21L     POS 13°54'"N 100°36'"E     ELEV 9 ft

Wing Squadron Timeline Aircraft Type(s) Fate
Wing I

10sq
? - 1968 ? T-33A (July55->)
RT-33A (July55->)
disbanded


11 TRS
? - 1979 T-33A
RT-33A (68->)
renumbered 101sq & relocated to Korat


12 TFS
? - 1 July 1967 F8F Bearcat (51-Feb57)
F-84G (Feb57-Mar62)
F-86F (61-66)
F-86L (Dec62->)
disbanded


13 TFS
? - 1 Oct 1977 F8F Bearcat (51-?)
AT-6
F-86F (60-66)
F-5A (67->)
F-5B (Mar66->)
RF-5A (70->)
renumbered 103sq & relocated to Korat
Wing VI

61sq
? - 1 Oct 1977 C-123B (June64 ->)
C-123K (15June73->)
renumbered 601sq


62sq/Royal Flight
T-6 (?-67)
DC-4-1009 (59-14Apr60)
C-54A (60-66)
HS748-208 (Jan65->)
C-47A/B/D (67->)
AC-47
VC-123K (73->)
RC-47A (Mar76->)
renumbered 602sq


63sq
WS-51 (50-54)
UH-12B
YH-5A (53-54)
S-55 (25Dec54-62)
Ce170
T-6 (?-69)
H-19A (Aug57-62)
HH-43B (May62-May67)
CH-34C (62-May67)
UH-34D (62-May67)
T-41D (69->)
Chantra
renumbered 603sq
Wing III

31sq
1967 - 1969 HH-43B (May67->)
CH-34C (May67->)
UH-34D (May67->)
relocated to Korat


32sq
UH-1H (Oct68->)
6 Wing

601sq 'Lucky'
1 Oct 1977 - present C-123B (->Oct82)
C-123K (->?)
SA226AT IVA (Jan78-20July82)
C-130H (Aug80->)
C-130H-30 (Apr83->)
DC-8-62AF (Dec82-May89)


602sq/Royal Flight 'Wihok'
C-47A/B/D
AC-47
VC-47A
RC-47A (->Apr91)
C-123B (->89)
C-123K (->91)
VC-123K (->85)
HS748-208 (->Feb05)
A310-324 (Sep91-31Mar16)
A319-115CJ (25Aug04->)
A320-214CJ (18June15->)
A340-541 (June16->)
SSJ100-95LR (Sep19->)


603sq 'Cowboy'
SA226AT IVC (Nov79-June85)
HS748-200 (Feb95-30Mar16)
G222 (May95-10)
HS.748 (1995 -
ATR72-212A (Sep09->)
SSJ100-95LR (22Oct15-Sep19)


604sq 'Sunny'
T-41D(H)
Chantra
O-1 (84-89)
SF 260MT (88-94)
CeA150 (91-04)
Fantrainer 400 (92-94)
CT/4A (03-17Sep20)
DA42 (09-Nov16)
CT/4B (11->)
DA42 (17->)
P.180 Avanti II (19->)
DA40NG (Dec20->)


605sq
Oct 1982 - 2004 AC 690 (->88)
Beech 65-A80 (->86)
Beech 65-B80 (->89)
Beech 65-E90 (->89)
Ce411 (->85)
Bell 206B-II (->87)
KH-4
N22B (Nov83-99)
IAI201 (93?-02)
SA226AT IVC (June85-99)
Lj35A (88-99)
disbanded
Deachochai 3


1990 - present F-5E
Bell 412
B.737-400
B.737-800
2 Wing

201sq det. 'Scorpion'
? - present UH-1H
H225M
6 Wing

Deochochai 3
2017 ? - present B.737-400
605 started off as an auxiliary squadron until May 1985 when it became a regular sqn.
Deachochai 3 is the Kings own unit and the aircraft are only looked after by the Air Force which also provide personnel.

F-84G 1221/000 of 12 TFS in 1957. Thai serial of this former French Air Force 51-11000 is Kh16-13/99.

unknown

Twenty F-86Ls served for a brief period the 12 TFS.

unknown

T-33A 1121/18-12 of the 11 TRS in December 1972.

Gary V. Meinert

C-47D 45941 of 62sq was written off in Pathum Thani province on 27 June 1977.

Nakhom Phanom, December 1972, Gary V. Meinert

RF-5A 1342/97157 was one of four delivered to the 13 TFS in 1970.

collection Dick Lohuis

SA 226AT 29-999 visited Köln on its delivery flight from San Antonio, TX to Thailand.

Köln-Wahn, 16 March 1978, Günther Becker

Bell 206B-2 0872 transferred from Army SCHQ Survey Department to RThAF in 1982. Hereafter it went to Kaset in 1987.

C.A.F.

All three DC-8-62AFs were sold on the civil US market. This 60112 became N799AL.

Miami, May 1989, Eddy Gual

Six HS748-200s served the Royal Flight and 602sq and subsequently ending up with 603sq.

Bangkok-Don Muang, 13 January 1995, Dick Lohuis

Cessna 150H 60403 was written off after a forced landing on 21 August 2003.

Rene van Woezik

Three IAI201 Arava originally delivered to 404sq were used as reconnaissance aircraft and switched two times squadron.

Bangkok-Don Muang, 10 January 1997, Peter van Weenen

F-5E 90407/80770 with tailcode MV which represents Crown Prince Vatsilalongkon Machidownwho. The 904 Aggressor Squadron remainend the personal Crown Prince unit for some time, but has changed to an aggressor only role for the whole Air Force units since the ex Crown Prince doesn't fly with it anymore.

Bangkok-Don Muang, 27 June 2012, Mark Rourke

Chiang Mai/Intl (VTCC)

RWY 18/36     POS 18°46'"N 098°57'"E     ELEV 1035 ft

Wing Squadron Timeline Aircraft Type(s) Fate
Wing II

20 TFS
? - Sep 1971 T-28D renumbered 221 TFS


221 TFS
Sep 1971 - 1977 ? T-28D
disbanded
41 Wing

411sq 'Thunder'
1 Oct 1977 - Apr 2004 OV-10C (->7Apr04)
changed markings


411sq 'Thunder'
Apr 2004 - present L-39ZA/ART (Apr04-31Mar21)
T-6TH (Jul24->)
-

Royal Thai Air Classics Association 'Tango sqn'
1991- present various

Last Thai unit which utilized the OV-10C Bronco was 411sq.

December 1992, Chiang Mai, Dick Lohuis

L-39ZA/ART 41130 of 411sq has c/n 365506 painted on the tail and the aloccated RThAF serial is KhF1-30/37.

Chiang Mai, 9 January 2019, Marco Dirkx

Hat Yai (VTSS)

RWY 26/08     POS 06°56'"N 100°23'"E     ELEV 90 ft

Wing Squadron Timeline Aircraft Type(s) Fate
56 Wing

561sq
? - ? (R)T-33A (86-95)
disbanded

RT-33A 56142/8-13 in its original SEA camo seen at Bangkok-Don Muang on 15 October 1987.

Phil Thomson

During the Hat Yai years the T-33s received a grey camo.

Bangkok-Don Muang, December 1993, Dick Lohuis

Kamphaeng Saen, Nakhon Pathom (VTBK)

RWY 03/21     POS 14°06'06"N 099°55'00"E     ELEV 30ft

School Squadron Timeline Aircraft Type(s) Fate
FTS

Basic sq 'Chicken Flight'
May 1969 - present Chipmunk T20
CH-34
T-41D (?-71)
SF260MT (Aug73-91)
CT/4A
Fantrainer 400 (89-92)
CT/4B
CT/4E
Bell 206B3 (95-07)


Advanced Sq 'Mustang'
T-6
SF260MT
Fantrainer 600 (89-92)
PC-9 (91-2Feb24)
T-6C (Nov22->)


Basic Jet Training Sq
T-33A (->1971)
T-37B (->96)
T-37C (July70-96)


Blue Phoenix
2012 - 20.. ? PC-9


- ? 'Diamond Flight'
? - present DA42
2 Wing

203sq det.
? - present UH-1H

T-6G RR-165.

Gary V. Meinert

Chipmunk T20 RR66-97 in January 1974.

collection Dick Lohuis

Sixteen T-37B and six C models have seen service with the FTS between 1961 and 1996. T-37B RR19-23/19 was written off on 11 August 1994.

Bangkok-Don Muang, 8 January 1994, Dick Lohuis

Korat, Nakhon Ratchasima (VTUN)

RWY 06/24     POS 14°56'"N 102°04'"E     ELEV 729 ft

School/Wing Squadron Timeline Aircraft Type(s) Fate
Flying Training School

Basic sq
1941 - May 1969 Tiger Moth
T-6 (?-67)
Chipmunk
relocated to Kamphaen Saen


Advanced sq
T-6 (67->)


Basic Jet Training Sq
T-33A
T-37B (July61->)
Wing III

31sq
1969 - 1977 HH-43B (->72)
CH-34C (timeline)
UH-34D (timeline)
disbanded


32sq
UH-1H (timeline)


33sq
CH-34C
UH-34D
1 Wing

101sq
1 Oct 1977 - 1983 (R)T-33A
disbanded


102sq 'Stars'
June 1978 - 2002 F-5E/F (->94)
L-39ZA/ART (94-Aug02)



103sq 'Lightning'
17 Oct 1978 - 1986 (R)F-5A (->86)
F-5B (->86)

2 Wing

203sqn det. 'Scorpion'
? - present UH-1H
1 Wing

103sq 'Lightning'
1988 - present F-16A (2May88->)
F-16B (11May88->)


101sq
1993 - 2004 L-39ZA/ART (timeline)
disbanded


102sq 'Stars'
2003 - present F-16A (21Mar03->)
F-16B (21Mar03->)

T-37B RR03-04 taxiing at Korat on 28 March 1967.

collection Dick Lohuis

H-34C 3151 with Thai serial H4-11/04 of 31 sqn at Korat in January 1975.

Bruce Trombecky

F-5E 10212/61665 leads a row of 102sq F-5s particpating in the 1988 edition of the 'Cope Thunder' exercise.

Clark, 8 January 1988, Guido Bühlmann

in 101sq service the L-39ZA/ART were mainly used for training pilots in the air-to-ground role.

Bangkok-Don Muang, 13 January 1995, Rene van Woezik

Lop Buri/Koke Kathiem (VTBL)

RWY 05/23, 16/34     POS 14°52'29"N 100°39'48"E     ELEV 98 ft

Wing Squadron Timeline Aircraft Type(s) Fate
Wing II

23 TFS
? - Sep 1971 F8F Bearcat (?-61)
T-6
T-28D
OV-10C (July71->)
renamed 224 TFS


224 TFS
Sep 1971 - 1 Oct 1977 T-28D
OV-10C (timeline)
disbanded
2 Wing

201sq 'Spider'
1977 - 2003 S.58T (timeline)
disbanded


201sq/Royal Helicopter Flight
? - 1991 UH-1N (76-82)
Bell 412 (82->)
changed markings


202sq
1977 - ? AU-23A disbanded


203sq 'Scorpion'
1977 - present UH-1H
H225M


201sq 'Spider'
1991 - present Bell 412 (Nov82-20)
Bell 412SP (91-20)
AS332L2 (96-97)
Bell 412EP (98-20)
S-92A (11Apr11->)
S-70i (Dec20->)


202sq
2019 ? - present Bell 412 (20-Oct21)
Bell 412EP (20->)
Bell 412SP (20-Oct21)
H135T3H3 (Aug21->)

T-6D 2351 of 23 TFS in 1957.

unknown

S.58T 20172 only carries its serial in Thai numbers below the roundel.

Hat Yai, 25 December 1995, unknown

Phitsanulok/Fort Naraysuan (VTPP)

RWY 32/14     POS 16°47'"N 100°16'"E     ELEV 144 ft

Wing Squadron Timeline Aircraft Type(s) Fate
46 Wing

461sq 'Vampire'
1982 ? - 2015 ? N22B (82-18Dec15)
BT-67
changed markings


461sq 'Vampire'
2015 ? - present BT-67

For many years light transport was conducted by 461sq with GAF N22B Nomads.

Bangkok-Don Muang, December 1992, Dick Lohuis

Prachuap Khiri Khan (VTBP)

RWY 08/26, 18/36     POS 11°47'"N 099°48'"E     ELEV 10 ft

Wing Squadron Timeline Aircraft Type(s) Fate
Wing V

53sq
? - 1977 F8F Bearcat
T-6 (?-72?)
T-28 (72?-?)
OV-10C (8Dec74->)
renamed 53 Wing/531sq
53 Wing

531sq 'Mosquito'
1977 - 1 Apr 2007 OV-10C (->82)
O-1 (82-90)
AU-23A (Apr90->)
renamed 5 Wing/501sq
5 Wing

501sq 'Mosquito'
1 Apr 2007 - present AU-23A
Sattahip (--)

RWY 18/36     POS 12°40'47"N 101°00'18"E     ELEV 59 ft

Wing Squadron Timeline Aircraft Type(s) Fate
Wing VII

71 TAAS
Dec 1951 - 1977 T-6
U-10B (?-67)
O-1 (Oct67->)
renamed 71 Wing/711sq
71 Wing

711sq
1977 - 1982 O-1 (timeline)
relocated to Surat Thani

Real identity of this 71sq T-6 is not known.

collection George van der Schoor

U-10D 7144/68-14374 is an ex USAF example that flew with 14 SOW in Vietnam.

collection Dick Lohuis

Surat Thani (VTSB)

RWY 04/22     POS 09°07'"N 099°20'"E     ELEV 19 ft

Wing Squadron Timeline Aircraft Type(s) Fate
71 Wing

711sq
1982 - 24 Sep 1991 OV-10C (timeline)
changed markings


711sq
24 Sep 1991 - 5 Mar 1999 F-5E/F (timeline)
F-5B (98->)
renamed 7 Wing/701 sqn
7 Wing

701sq 'Sharks'
5 Mar 1999 - present F-5B/E/F (->11Oct12)
JAS 39C/D (Feb11->)


702sq
Saab 340
Saab 340AEW (Dec10->)

F-5E 71134/61676 of 711sq used in the agressor role.

Bangkok-Don Muang, 8 January 1994, Dick Lohuis

Oldest F-5B in the world was flown to the RThAF museum at Bangkok-Don Muang on 18 December 2007.

Sakpinit Promthep

Takhli (VTPI)

RWY 36/18     POS 15°16'"N 100°17'"E     ELEV 107 ft

Wing Squadron Timeline Aircraft Type(s) Fate
Wing IV

41sq
? - ? Spitfire PRXIX (?-55)
Spitfire FRXIV (54-55)
disbanded


42sq
? - 1 Oct 1977 AC-47D renamed 402sq


43sq
? - 1 Oct 1977 F8F Bearcat
F-84G (61-63?)
F-86F (66-72)
A-37B (July72->)
renamed 403sq
4 Wing

402sq
1 Oct 1977 - ? AC-47D

disbanded


403sq
1 Oct 1977 - 1994 A-37B (->80)
F-5E/F (22Jan81-31Mar94)



404sq
? - ? IAI201 (81-93?)
disbanded


402sq 'Focus'
1994 ? - present SF260MT (94-99)
Fantrainer 600 (94-96)
IAI201 (99-02)
SA226AT IVC (99-03)
Lj35A (99-12)
DA42M MPP (Oct10->)
P.180 Avanti II (Sep17-19)


403sq 'Cobra'
1995 - present F-16A (19June95->)
F-16B (23June95->)


401sq 'Dragon'
? - present L-39ZA/ART
T-50TH (Jan18->)


404sq 'Venus'
? - present Aerostar UAV

When 13sq at Bangkok-Don Muang started receiveing the F-5, its F-86Fs were transferred to 43sq.

unknown

A-37B 4332/710805 at Takhli in December 1972. It was written off on 3 December 1974.

Gary V. Meinert

In 1970 641 was converted from regular C-47D into an AC-47.

collection Dick Lohuis

Main duty of 403sq was ground-attack. Training was also conducted in F-5F 40301/91693.

Clark, 8 January 1988, Guido Bühlmann

The Fantrainer wasn't a big succes in RThAF service. For pilot proficiency 402sq used a couple Fantrainers 600.

Bangkok-Don Muang, December 1993, Alwy Gosselt

Ubon Ratchathani (VTUU)

RWY 23/05     POS 15°14'"N 104°52'"E     ELEV 405 ft

Wing Squadron Timeline Aircraft Type(s) Fate
Wing II

21 TFS
4 June 1962 - 1968 T-6 (->3Nov62)
T-28D (62->)
renamed 222 TFS


222 TFS
1968 - 1 Oct 1977 T-28D (timeline)
renamed 211sq
Wing 21

211sq
1 Oct 1977 - 1980 T-28D

changed markings
21 Wing

211sq
16 June 1980 - 1994 A-37B (16June80-May94) changed markings


211sq 'Eagles'
1 April 1994 - present F-5E
F-5F
A-37B (95-96)
F-5B (11-16)
F-5SH
F-5TH
Small number of A-37Bs were used for rainmaking trials in 1995-1996

A-37B 21123/71-0802 started its service life with Takhli based 43sq.

Bangkok-Don Muang, 8 January 1994, Dick Lohuis

Former TUDM F-5B 21101/40779 started its career with 103sq in September 1982. After this it went to 231sq, 711sq, 701sq and ended up with 211sq were it flew till August 2016.

Don Muang, 11 January 2013, Hans Rolink

Udon Thani (VTUD)

RWY 30/12     POS 17°23'"N 102°47'"E     ELEV 584 ft

Wing Squadron Timeline Aircraft Type(s) Fate
Wing II

22 TFS
? - Sep 1971 ? F8F Bearcat
T-28D
U-10 (62-?)
renamed 223 TFS


223 TFS
Sep 1971 ? - 1977 T-28D (timeline)
renamed 23 Wing/231sq
23 Wing

231sq
1977 - 1986 T-28D (timeline)
changed makings


231sq 'Hunter'
1986 - present (R)F-5A (86-?)
F-5B (87-?)
F-5E
Alpha Jet (Sep00->)

T-28D-10 0-38157 is an ex US Navy example received on 11 December 1971.

2 December 1972, Gary V. Meinert

F-5B 23102/400778 is one of two former Malaysian Air Force ones delivered in September 1982.

Clark, 8 January 1988, Guido Bühlmann

F-5A 23122/01391 seen visiting Bangkok-Don Muang in December 1992 was written off on 8 November 1995.

Dick Lohuis

Lox (liquid oxygen) is being filled on 231sq F-5E 23115/50615.

Bangkok-Don Muang, 13 January 1995, Dick Lohuis

Yokota (RJTY)

RWY 18/36     POS 35°44'55"N 139°20'55"E     ELEV 463ft

Command Squadron Timeline Aircraft Type(s) Fate
United Nations Command

61sq
Nov 1971 - 26 July 1976 C-123B (timeline) ended

The Thai detachment provided airlift support with C-123B Providers to the United Nations Command (Rear) in Korea.

Yokota, December 1974, Hideki Nagakubo

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