In 2011 the interesting collection of the Myanmar Defence Services Museum was transferred from, then capital, Yangon to Naypyidaw, the new government seat. In a couple of years an enormous facility was created, seldom visited by foreigners so it seems. Enough incentive for Aviagraphers to visit this remarkable place in September 2016.

To get rid of one of the most important myths right away: this museum is open to the general public, has free access and welcomes visitors. It is still a ten minute or so taxi-drive away from Naypyidaw's northern hotel zone and if you are sensible, you arrange a pick-up time as the chances of catching a taxi on departure are quite slim (understatement).

Major attraction for aviation enthusiasts of course is the aviation wing, to start with the neatly parked rows of aircraft in the north west corner of the vast complex. The locals, wise from experience, usually visit the museum by car. That is, they drive from area to area, and hall to hall instead of walking the huge distances.

The complex is divided in main areas, with the west wing being the aviation history part. It has the outside display park mentioned before but also three halls that have lots of photographs and some further aircraft on display.

It is clear that the museum strives to exhibit every single aircraft ever operated. For those that are still active or no airframe has yet been acquired, the air force 'wall of fame' shows a model of each single type used and still current in the inventory. Surely, they have ample space to house further acquisitions.

With so many aircraft it is hard to pick a favourite. All the aircraft are so well kept and presented and most of us will never have seen them active in Myanmar AF markings, your senses get a bit overloaded. Although the J7 previously shown is hot, the Otter won the day for me.

There are also always aircraft that make you think, '"what, did they fly those as well?" and I think the Vertol 44 easily fits that category. Originally designed by Piasecki but rebranded after Vertol took over that company, it is a rare bird to be seen outside the US where you can still find some CH-21s in museums.

Tempted as I am to plaster this whole site with images of all 40+ airframes, we are stopping now! Go there yourself I would suggest, the country is rather lovely and still unspoilt by mass tourism.