F.27-500 0002 seen at Yangon Airport
in early 2008. (photo, Andy Davey)

Transport Squadron
Role: Transport

The Transport Squadron started off as a Liaison/AOP Flight equipped with Auster AOP.5s. In May 1948 only three aircraft were operational. Six more were either not yet assembled or in storage. The 17th and last C-47 was delivered in 1955.

One Transport Squadron operates the following aircraft: Seven of the following F.27 variants remain operational, Fairchild F-27J (1), Fairchild FH-227B (3) and Fokker F-27 (3). 12 Mi-17 were reportedly in use in 2003 - most likely in error, as all the MAF Mi-17s apparently form part of a dedicated helicopter unit based at Keng Tung AFB. Four PC-6s were active in 2005. (The PC-6s may form part of the Liaison Squadron). Eight or nine Alouette IIIs are reported still operational. Two Y-8s were reported in 2003, but four were noted in November 2005.

The Transport Squadron is also said to operate Vertol V.44As. This, however, unlikely, as all piston-engined aircraft were withdrawn from use around 1989/1990. Also, lack of spares and the age of the helicopters would presumably preclude any operational examples being left in service.

Air Bases:

Base	Duration
No. 502 Air Base, Mingaladon AFB	1948 - Present

Aircraft Used:

Type	Qty	Service	Badge	Example Serials
Auster AOP.5	9	1948 - 1950
Douglas C-47	17	1950 - Apr 1978
Bristol 170 Mk.31M	2	1954 - 1966
Ilyushin Il-14	1	1956 - 1958+
Beech D18S	6	1957 - 1973
Cessna 180D	10	1957 - current?
DHC-3 Otter	9	Dec 1958 - 1989
Vertol V-44A (CH-21)	12	1963 - 1991+
Beech 65 Queen Air	1+	1965 - current?
Fokker F-27/FH-227 Friendship	7	May 1976 - current		0002, 5004
Pilatus PC-6B/B2-H2 Turbo Porter	7	Nov 1976 - current
Cessna Citation I	1	1982 - current
Yunshuji Y-8D	4	1992 - current		5815, 5817
Mil Mi-17 Hip?	12?	1995 - current
SA.316 Alouette III	8	1998 - current

Unit Insignia:

Figure 1

References:

• Burma/Myanmar, 1948-1999