The Boohwal (Resurrection)

The Boohwal (Resurrection) was the first Koreanmade aircraft. In response to an Air Force requirement for an aircraft for aircraft design and production practice as well as pilot training, the Maintenance and Education Group of the Air Force Technical School began production in June 1953, and the aircraft was completed on October 10 of the same year. The name Boohwal (Resurrection) was given to the aircraft personally by President Syngman Rhee, as a symbol of hope and recovery of the nation’s pride which was devastated by the Korean War. The naming ceremony was carried out at Gimhae Airbase on April 3, 1954. The Boohwal was used as a liaison aircraft and trainer by the Korean Air Force until 1960. After being retired by the Air Force in early 1960, the Boohwal was donated to the Korea Aerospace University, but soon went missing. The airframe was found in an underground shed at the Kyeongsang Technical High School in Daegu on January 2004. In light of the importance of the Boohwal in Air Force history, the Air Force tasked the 81st Aircraft Maintenance Depot with restoring the aircraft. The Boohwal was successfully restored on October 22, 2004, and the restored aircraft was designated a registered cultural property on October 1, 2008.