Experts have arrived in Burma for an excavation on a field which is expected to find dozens of World War II spitfires, concluding a 16-year hunt by a Lincolnshire farmer intent on solving one of aviation history’s greatest mysteries.

David Cundall and a team of archaeologists moved onto the restricted site, set within the grounds of Yangon International Airport, on Monday (January 7 2013). They hope to announce their findings in less than a fortnight.

“I spent six months traveling back and forth to Myanmar with David Cundall to secure permission from the Myanmar government to excavate,” says Tracy Spaight, the Director of Special Projects at Wargaming, the action game company backing Cundall’s mission.

“It is wonderful to be here in Yangon at last, with a full team of independent experts, to begin the dig at last.

“It’s a huge site, but once our archaeologists and geophysics team are able to get out on the ground they will be able to narrow down the search area.

“This means that, all being well, our JCBs will be able to break ground within the next week.”

• Visit the project blog for updates and the full story so far.

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