50th Year of 1971 special - This picture was taken by my father at FTW in 1972.
The aircraft had just come back from action. What follows is the story of this small force that is worth repeating...
Pic copyright: Wg Cdr AK Gupta
The aircraft had just come back from action. What follows is the story of this small force that is worth repeating...
Pic copyright: Wg Cdr AK Gupta
Late Winco Walter Marshal was the Chief Instructor at the FTW in Hakimpet - down south and far behind where the action was. There was little chance of him seeing any action in the war.
In true spirit of "I wont be left behind in the war", he took a force of obsolete Vampire....
In true spirit of "I wont be left behind in the war", he took a force of obsolete Vampire....
fighters/trainers to the front line - and operated as an ad-hoc squadron flying nighttime interdiction sorties against Pakistan. For this gallant leadership effort, he was awarded the VM (Gallantry).
About the Camo, in late Winco Marshal's words....
About the Camo, in late Winco Marshal's words....
The move from Hakimpet to Chandigargh & on arrival at Halwara the Vamps were in std silver paint.
Parked off the taxi track under camfl' nets the need for some sort of camaflouge was felt. Eq. Sec. Was approached for requisite paint. What was issued was blue, black, white & Red.
Parked off the taxi track under camfl' nets the need for some sort of camaflouge was felt. Eq. Sec. Was approached for requisite paint. What was issued was blue, black, white & Red.
Probably MT Sec. Stuff.
So the aircraft were painted a mix of blue black & grey ' al fresco' in what ever format the painter weilded his brush. All four were thus different.
At this point the Technicians requested permission to do some ' Art Work' on the aircraft War Bird Style'
So the aircraft were painted a mix of blue black & grey ' al fresco' in what ever format the painter weilded his brush. All four were thus different.
At this point the Technicians requested permission to do some ' Art Work' on the aircraft War Bird Style'
To the best of my knowledge this had never been done on any IAF aircraft other than WWII. To seek Official Approval would be like asking for the Moon!!!
The Technicians were so enthusiastic about this, So in similar vein it was approved. 'No holds barred'
The Technicians were so enthusiastic about this, So in similar vein it was approved. 'No holds barred'
The jaws were in white & teeth in red giving the painting a ' fearsome look' . All four aircraft features wore different expressions. Good fun.
Since we flew at night no body saw or new the ' fun & games' we were up to, or for that matter reported the breach of regs'
Since we flew at night no body saw or new the ' fun & games' we were up to, or for that matter reported the breach of regs'
And if you see the citation of Winco Marshal - it will tell you nothing about the action he and his boys saw. He was doing night interdiction in an aircraft with no aids/ lights or protection. And they did blast many train wagons and likes!
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