Boripatra
Royal Siamese Air Force / Thai workshops · Thailand · first flew 1927 · bomber
The Boripatra was a single-engine biplane fighter built in Thailand in the 1930s, representing one of the earliest indigenous aircraft manufacturing efforts in Southeast Asia. Its name derives from a mythological Thai bird.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.76 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
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Spot it by:
- One of the first aircraft built in Thailand (Siam)
- Single-engine two-seat biplane bomber first flown in 1927
- Named after Prince Paribatra, sponsor of the Siamese air service
A conventional 1930s biplane fighter distinguished mainly by its Thai origin; externally similar to British and American biplane fighters of the period with equal-span wings and open cockpit.
Specifications
- The Boripatra has a length of 8.76 m (29 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.41 m (44 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 253 km/h (157 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Constructed in the early 1930s by technicians of the Royal Siamese Air Force with some foreign technical assistance, the Boripatra was a notable achievement for Thai aviation. It was designed along conventional biplane fighter lines of the period and demonstrated that Thailand could produce its own military aircraft rather than relying entirely on imports.
Variants
No production variants are documented; the Boripatra appears to have been built in very small numbers.
Where you'll see it
Served with the Royal Siamese Air Force in the 1930s; it was superseded by imported designs before WWII.
Related aircraft
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