Bomber on highway draws shutterbugs in Sattahip

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Unused for almost 8 years, moving this A-7E Corsair II bomber along the highway to the Naval Education Center drew many shutterbugs in Sattahip.

A military jet rolling down the highway created a sensation as the Royal Thai Navy moved one of its long-unused A-7E Corsair II bombers to the Naval Education Center in Sattahip.

A large tractor towed the Vietnam-era jet along highways 331 and 332 July 23, drawing large crowds of picture takers, many of whom had never seen a military bomber close up.

Unused for almost 8 years, moving this A-7E Corsair II bomber along the highway to the Naval Education Center drew many shutterbugs in Sattahip. Unused for almost 8 years, moving this A-7E Corsair II bomber along the highway to the Naval Education Center drew many shutterbugs in Sattahip.

The navy purchased 14 A-7E and four TA-7C airplanes for coastal defense and sea patrol duties in 1991 and the first planes were delivered in 1995.

The remained operational until 2007 and have been kept air-ready since, although none have been flown.

Rear Adm. Wasansap Chanwarin, director of the navy’s U-Tapao airfield, said there were no parts or budget to continue to maintain the aircraft, so they will all be moved to museums and educational institutions.