Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #iafhistory
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The IAF’s No 1 Sqn was raised 90 years ago, on 01 Apr 33. No 2 Sqn followed eight years later, on 01 Apr 41. This thread attempts to unravel the events that led to the raising of the subsequent IAF sqns. #IAFHistory 
With War clouds looming on the horizon, the Chatfield Committee recommended that non-regular IAF Coastal Defence Flights (CDFs) be raised for the coastal defence of India. These flights were to be raised at Madras, Bombay, Calcutta, Karachi & Cochin, sequentially numbered 1 to 5.
The plan entailed their being manned by an IAF Volunteer Reserve (IAFVR), akin to the Territorial Army - supported by some AF regular personnel. The CDFs were to operate under the Coastal Defence Wing at Bombay & fly Audax or Wapiti aircraft, drawn from Air Force stocks.
In the demise of 93-year-old Wg Cdr JM Nath yesterday, @IAF_MCC lost its most decorated officer alive, awarded with "MVC & Bar". The award nomenclatures often confuse us. This thread attempts a simple, abridged & demystified history of awards in the IAF. #IAFHistory (1/23)
Between 1937 and 2022, IAF officers and airmen were awarded as many as 5,100 awards. An average of 60-75 per year, but as high as 600 during the years of wars. 2/
Before 1947, IAF did not have a unique "Indianised" system of awards and followed the British system. In fact, awards for IAF officers were approved through the usual chain from Air Ministry to Air Headquarters. 109 awards were made between 1937 and 1946, mainly for WWII. 3/
Harish Chander Sircar was the first & senior-most officer commissioned in the @IAF_MCC on 8 Oct 1932. More dubiously, he also holds the record for the first to be dismissed from service in March 1935. The intervening period is a story of many firsts. #IAFHistory (1/15)
Harish Sircar hailed from a cultured & aristocratic Bengali family. Imbued with a passion for flying from an early age, he joined the IAF with alacrity when the opportunity arose. Intelligent with an
athletic frame, he made a tremendous impression on his colleagues. 2/
athletic frame, he made a tremendous impression on his colleagues. 2/
In Sep 1930, he was chosen to be amongst the first 6 to be trained as pilots at RAF Cranwell. The training incl flying on ac like the Avro Lynx, Armstrong Whitworth Atlas & the AW Siskin. Btwn the flying & classroom training, Sircar took to sports & was the Hockey team captain.3/
Republic Day Flypasts have enamoured our nation for decades. As we approach another such flypast, we look back at the first 50 years of #RepublicDay flypasts. Together the journey of flypasts is a mosaic of the country, its people, and the @IAF_MCC . #IAFHistory (1/30)
In 1950, IAF imposed a ban on flypasts, but for the momentous occasion, ACM Elmhirst allowed a 9 aircraft “loose” Liberator formation to do a flypast. The job fell on 5 Sqn, at Poona under the command of Wg Cdr HSR Gohel. 9 ac Lib formation would be a regular going forward. 2/
1951 saw a mixed formation of Harvard, Tempest, Vampire, Dakota& Libs of about 40 aircraft. The formation made the letters IAF with 23 aircraft from 3 & 4 Sqns and was led by Minoo Engineer. Minoo would take flypasts to a different level about two decades later. 3/
History always has answers to contemporary questions. 100 years on, the use of Air Power was beautifully explained in a note from Air Ministry on the distribution & employment of Air Force in India in 1921. "Indivisibility","technicality", "Moral effect", "Cost" #IAFHistory (1/5)
So beautifully has this one paragraph brought the dichotomy of a "small detachment" - its efficiency for the Army and its inefficiency for the Air Force. 2/
That the technical nature of the Air Force makes it "viable" or "efficient" when it is grouped in the "largest" possible unit rather than disperse them. 3/
On 4 Nov 1963, an @IAF_MCC Mi-4 Helicopter of 105 HU with 9 onboard went down in the Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh killing 5 Armymen. Pilots survived to share the first-hand tales of a week-long survival that we relive today through their eyes. #IAFHistory (1/21)
Dibang valley boasts remarkable topography & biodiversity. Snow-capped mountains, lush tropical forests, wild grasslands, high-elevation lakes & raging rivers characterise this region. Post-1962 war, it was critical to service the frontier, Dibang Valley had no connectivity. 2/
Modern day Dibang Valley is the largest district of Arunachal Pradesh, spread over 9000 square km & is the most sparsely populated district in the country with less than 8,000 inhabitants. It is not tough to imagine how poorly connected the army posts would have been in 1963. 3/
The story of how the first chief of the @IAF_MCC came about to be decided on. A period of 30 days in June/July 1947, hectic negotiations and parleys, and a surprise twist by later to be @IAF_MCC's first Indian Chief Subroto Mukerjee. #IAFHistory (1/16)
Three questions needed answering - Will there be a chief for each service or one commander-in-chief? What rank will the officer tenant? Who will be the officer?
All of these were being deliberated in parallel and Air Mshl Hugh Walmsley, AOC-in-C India set the ball rolling 2/
All of these were being deliberated in parallel and Air Mshl Hugh Walmsley, AOC-in-C India set the ball rolling 2/
On 1 July 47, he sent his recommendations to Loud Louis Mountbatten, though the ultimate decision rested with Nehru and Jinnah respectively. Also, a key influencer in the process was Claude Auchinleck, then Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army. 3/
72 men, 22 of whom died in service. Battle-hardened over Germany, Arakan, Burma, NWFP, Kashmir War, Goa ops, 62, 65, 71 war. In 1971 –all AOC-in-Cs & all PSO’s to the chief – were from this single pilot course. This is the 4th pilot course (4 PC) of @IAF_MCC . #IAFHistory (1/19)
The first 22 officers commissioned in the IAF between 1932 and 1939 were all trained outside India as no facilities existed in India. Hence these officers did not carry any “course number”. In 1939, the govt took a call to raise an IAF Volunteer Reserve with WWII outbreak. 2/
1 & 2 PC had about 35 officers show up at Risalpur, the 1st IAF trg setup for pilots. But that was found inadequate, and a new school was setup at Walton, Lahore. It is here that 4 PC showed up, as the first course at the location 3/
The only station named as a “Staging Post” in the @IAF_MCC was the No. 1 Aircraft Staging Post at Car Nicobar in 1956. This is the fascinating read of how Car Nicobar was the only RAF base in independent India & later became an accidental IAF “Staging Post” #IAFHistory (1/23)
A Staging Post is simply an airstrip where transport aircraft can land. It can be a tiny airstrip used for refueling/ navigation or a large transport base. During WWII the RAF Transport Command set up 100s of Staging posts across the world from the US to the Far East. 2/
Back to Andaman. In 1858, the British setup Andaman & later in 1869 Nicobar (Nancowry Island) as penal colonies. Nicobar was shut down in 1888, but Port Blair persisted with a small presence. It was not intended to be a Military Post prior to WWII. 3/
@IAF_MCC Srinagar base (1 Wing) has repeatedly witnessed aerial combat in its 54 years of hosting fighter aircraft. It turns a page when 51 sqn winds down after its 37-year vigil. This thread is a chronicle of Srinagar’s unique tryst with fighter aircraft. #IAFHistory (1/30)
In ‘47, Srinagar had a fair-weather Kutcha grass strip of 1,500 yds used for light ac of Raja Hari Singh. At partition, Kashmir’s geo-loc & ltd rail/road links isolated the valley, enhancing the importance of the airstrip- placing it at the hub of efforts to save Kashmir.2/
Whilst IAF ops had started in Oct 47, an IAF establishment was placed here in May ’48. Spitfires, Tempests & Harvards of 7,8,10 & 101 Sqn operated throughout the war, moving out when the UN imposed a Ceasefire in '49. The Dakota (12 Sqn) story is here -3/
In 1953 @IAF_MCC made its maiden flight over Mt. Everest in a WWII vintage Liberator C-87, secretly synced with Edmund Hilary’s epic summit of the peak. This is the tale of the second ever photoreconnaissance flight over Everest & its stunning pictures. #IAFHistory (1/25)
The idea was the brainchild of then Deputy chief (later chief) of the IAF, Aspy Engineer, with an intent to create global recognition for the IAF, conduct aerial photography of Everest never taken before, and fund-raise for a noble cause. But we must rewind a few years..2/
After ’47 Kashmir war, a need for Bomber aircraft was felt. Sabotaged B-24 Liberators left behind by RAF/USAAF were refurbished by IAF & HAL and put in service. 5 & 6 Sqn were equipped with 16 ac each by early 1951. But another jugaad was in the offing. 3/
Trivia: The two Chiefs who led the @IAF_MCC during the 1960s demitted the office of the Chief nearly 4 to 6 months prior to the official retirement date, proceeding on leave. This oddity was not repeated but remains a mystery. This thread is a brief exploration. #IAFHistory (1/6)
Aspy Engineer relinquished office 4 months prior to his retirement. Born on 15 Dec 1912, he had time till 30 Nov 1964 to serve till the age of 52 as was the prevalent policy for a Chief (in the rank of Air Marshal. Air Chief marshal rank was created later). 2/
Aspy continued to though hold the Honorary A.D.C (Air) to the President post all the way to his retirement date. Aspy had served as Chief for 3 yrs, 8 months and even the "Max of 4 years in an Air Rank" rule of that time was not the hurdle. Arjan Singh was just 47 and had time.3/
History of the 114 Helicopter Unit - the “Siachen Pioneers”, an @IAF_MCC unit that has been continuously in ops the longest amongst all services,regularly faced nature,enemy fire & lost its own during peace. It remains a unique unit in the world of aviation. #IAFHistory (1/34)
Approved as the 1st all Chetak unit on 18 Dec 62 with an estb of 8 heptrs, 114 HU was raised on 1 Apr 64 with two a/c & was based at Leh – replacing 107 HU’s Mi-4 dett stationed since the ‘62 war. 114 was the 1st permanent IAF unit at Leh where it continues to this day. 2/
Sqn Ldr Arvind Dalaya moved in to take command. Other than pilots converting from Mi-4s, the unit also had 5 pilots from 83 PC who had directly been commissioned in Heptrs after trg in France. The unit made Leh-Srinagar-Jammu as its permanent home for next two decades 3/
Oldest surviving fighter pilot of the @IAF_MCC turns 102 today. Dalip Singh Majithia (1615) in his 7-year career flew 1100 hours on 13 types of ac & saw action in WWII over Burma. This is his story, deeply intertwined with IAF’s fast growth,action-packed phase. #IAFHistory (1/27)
Born to Kirpal Singh Majithia & grandson of Sardar Sundar Singh Majithia (1st Revenue Minister in Punjab), Dalip was the 4th child in a family of 5. His mother belonged to the Patiala royal family & he was born on 27 July 1920 at Skiplin Villa, her family home in Simla. 2/
Dalip’s early edn till age 10, was with a home tutor in the ancestral home at Sardarnagar. Mentioned in the “The Punjab Chiefs” by Lepel Henry Griffin, the erstwhile massive estate of Dumri, was given to the great-grandfather of Dalip after 1857 mutiny & renamed “Sardarnagar”. 3/
Btwn 1954-64, the night skies of Delhi & Bombay were protected by a unique @IAF_MCC fighter aircraft - DeHavilland Vampire NF54 (aka NF10 in @RoyalAirForce). This is the fascinating short-lived journey of the only exclusive night-fighter aircraft in the IAF. #IAFHistory (1/24)
Designed as a cheap export ac on the back of an order from the Egyptian Air Force, the NF10 used the wings & tail unit of the Vampire Day-fighter and side-by-side seating of the extant night-fighter Mosquito NF36 – Navigator/ Radar Operator on the right and pilot on the left. 2/
Destiny had other plans, Egypt could not come good on the order due to an embargo and RAF stepped in as the main buyer. RAF was separately looking to replace its Mosquito NF36, but it's choice replacement – Gloster Meteor NF11 was delayed. Vampire NF10 would be the stop gap! 3/
Air Mshl VK “Jimmy” Bhatia – one of only 5 to be “Bar to VrC” in @IAF_MCC . Jimmy’s exceptional aviation career remains unmatched. He flew 34 sorties across 65 & 71 wars, deep into enemy territory destroying ac & military assets. His story. #LivingLegends #IAFHistory (1/24)
He was born on 5 Oct 42 at Mardan, near Peshawar as one of seven siblings with 3 elder sister & 3 younger brothers. Partition took a toll on the family. His mother &all the brothers died during the partition/ migration years plunging the family into a nomadic state for years. 2/
His father was a police officer in Peshawar & was absorbed in IPS, Rajasthan Cadre, where Jimmy spent his early years. Jimmy passed Matric from Raj Univ, at little over 13 ½ years of age. One year in Maharajas College, Jaipur & joined NDA at about 15 years in age. 3/
Celebrating today, 50 threads on @IAF_MCC History. Barring a few earlier, it all began in Jan’22. Since then: ~1000 tweets, 5.2 million views, ~70,000 engagements. This thread is a compendium of all the threads so far. Humbled & grateful for the encouragement. #IAFHistory (1/51)
The heroic story of Leh Airfield construction (1/50)
Beautifully Camouflaged Vampire and its heroics in 1971 War (2/50)
When the @IAF_MCC pilots flew the F-86 Sabres with the USAF and then “slew” it in the 65 and 71 Wars. The saga of the 80 odd IAF fighter pilots who trained with the USAF between 1963-66 and later claimed five PAF Sabre kills amongst them! #IAFHistory (1/17)
1962 Sino-Indian War prompted two key changes – an expansion in the IAF fighter sqns requiring higher pilot intake & US + UK Military aid and assistance to balance the power equation with China. 2/
It was felt that the sqn trg in India would not be able to produce the required nos of fully ops pilots in time to man these sqns. Help was sought from both the UK and the USA, and both responded. The USAF-bound IAF pilots would fly the T-33A & F-86 (Sabres) 3/
Air Cmde Narinder Chatrath(3959) VrC, today passed away,aged 95.He commanded 17 Sqn @IAF_MCC during 71 war that led an attack on Kurmitola, the heavily defended airbase near Dacca taking on a dogfight with two PAF Sabres, shooting one down. May he rest in peace. #IAFHistory (1/6)
Commissioned in 1950 with 53 Pilot course. Joining the fighter stream, he flew the Spitfire, Tempest, and the Vampires in his initial career. Posted to FIS, he qualified as a flying instructor and was posted to the academy at Begumpet in 1955. 2/
He was ADC to the Chief of Air Staff in 1958, and had the honor to be posted to the Egyptian airforce as an instructor from 1959 to 1961. An honour reserved only for the very best of instructors in the IAF. 3/
This thread seeks to give a historical perspective to cadre management by taking a peek into some critical periods in the evolution of the @IAF_MCC officer cadre. It throws up some real-life fascinating insights that planners might want to consider. #IAFHistory (1/17)
Between 1932 and 1939, IAF had 20 officers commissioned - all having been trained at Cranwell. With an aspiration to expand the IAF, the IAF Volunteer Reserve was announced – a kind of an Emergency Commission without any institutional commitment of service length. 2/
With WWII in full swing, the British Indian Govt increased the IAF’s intake to a record 680 officers in 1943, equal to the size of all the officers already in the IAF at that time-thereby doubling the IAF’s Nos. This bulge was necessitated by the mil requirement of the times. 3/
De Havilland Devon (also called Dove) was the first Transport aircraft acquired by @IAF_MCC post-independence. 22 a/c served in 6 units across 39 years (1948 to 1987). In its IAF colours, this pocket-sized bird has quite a story to tell. #IAFHistory (1/24)
de Havilland DH.104 Dove was a short-haul ac used both by airlines & military. Considered to be one of Britain's most successful postwar civil designs, over 500 ac were manufactured btwn 1946 & 1967. RAF, RIAF and RNAF purchased the modified variant “C Mk 1” in the late 1940s. 2/
It had two things going for it – The first British transport with a tricycle undercarriage & a braking propeller. Powered by two 330/400 hp Gipsy piston engines, seating max of 11, it had a max speed of 317 Km/h, max ceiling of 20K ft and range of 1,600 km at full payload. 3/
@IAF_MCC celebrates AVM Harjinder Singh as the pioneer of the Tech branch. Unsung and unknown is the name of Air Cmde Narinjan Parsad Nair. He was the 4th senior-most officer ever in the tech branch when he hung his boots in 1965. This is his journey. #IAFHistory (1/16)
Born on 21 Nov 1915 at Kunjha, Gujrat in West Punjab, to Dewan Durga Prasad Nair who was a criminal lawyer with practice at Ferozepur, Nair would be inclined to the military from early on. His RIMC interview was conducted by the Governor of United Provinces 2/
He was at RIMC Dehradun from 1927 to 1933. A contemporary of Gen. Prem Bhagat, he joined the Indian Military Academy in 1934 but was withdrawn on medical grounds having partially lost hearing in one ear due to an infection caught during participation in a swimming competition 3/
Do you get confused with the nomenclature of establishments in the @IAF_MCC ? Words like Comd/Wing/Station/ FBSU/ C&MU confuse you? This abridged thread tries to explain the structural philosophy which the IAF has followed, initially borrowed from the RAF. #IAFHistory (1/16)
The IAF HQ in Delhi is essentially divided along the Ops, Maint & Adm verticals. Its 5 geographical & 2 functional command HQs are likewise divided. Each Comd oversees numerous Stations that are largely functional in nature. These stations are named as per their functions. 2/
While Air Forces like the USAF & PAF have named their Stations after luminaries of their service, the IAF has largely stuck to numbering them (with very few recent exceptions) 3/
General Manekshaw, but this one was with the @IAF_MCC ! Air Vice-Marshal Jemji Harmusji Framji Manekshaw, was the younger brother of the great Sam Manekshaw. And he too served with distinction, pioneering aviation medicine in India. This is his short story #IAFHistory (1/9)
Born on 28 Oct 1916, Jemi was 2 yrs younger than Sam & as Sam went to Sherwood. He joined the Medical Corps in Feb 1943 & was trf to IAF in July (33rd Med offr to join IAF). Posted to 4 Sqn during WW II, he saw active service in the Arakan offensive against the Japanese. 2/
At the time of independence, as an Sqn Ldr, he commanded the oldest Medical unit in the IAF - The medical trg center then situated at Pune. The centre is now in Bangalore and is the premier trg institute for medical & nursing assistants. Jemi though had to move on soon. 3/
