Anchit Gupta Profile picture
Feb 8, 2022 6 tweets 3 min read Read on X
The hereto unknown, intertwined link of 12 Sqn @IAF_MCC , Navigation Training School, Airspeed Oxford aircraft, and Risalpur. Contrary to popular belief, it emerges that 12 Sqn, soon after its formation in Dec 1945, was also dual-hatting as a Nav Trg School #IAFHistory (1/6)
12 Sqn was equipped with Airspeed Oxford aircraft between Jan-Aug 1946 and was to be the first Transport Sqn in IAF. It also carried a special role - to train the first Navigators in the IAF. The 1st course was put in motion on 1 April 1946, at Risalpur (2/6)
Apart from lectures, two oxfords were dedicated for navigation training. The first Course only included qualified observers. On 15 July 1946, 5 of the officers were posted to Empire Air Navigation School for Advanced Course and remaining were posted on 15 Aug 1946 to Sqns. (3/6)
Two instructors were posted in - Flying Officer EJ Whiting GD(N), RAF and F/O KM Agerwala (1648) GD(O). It can be surmised he was the first "Navigator" and surely the first Nav instructor in the IAF. He probably went to the UK prior to March 1946 to be trained. (4/6)
12 Sqn moved to Bhopal in June. Another 26 officers and cadets joined Nav school. They would move out by August. On 15 Aug 46, Agerwala was posted out. On 1 Sep 1946, Navigation Training School started at Tambaram. KM Agerwala retired as ACAS (plans), his feat undocumented. (5/6)
It bears mention that prior to this the IAF commissioned Observers whose duties were predominantly reconnaissance, and is a legacy term from WWI. So, this is a record of the first true blood Navigators of the IAF who now also undertake duties of WSOs. (6/6)

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More from @AnchitGupta9

Oct 13
1/8: Reflecting on the success of India’s Radar & Communication Indigenisation Project, I had to ask—why did it succeed while other aviation projects, faced significant delays, despite similar govt mechanisms?

Sharing my key takeaways 👇
2/8: Objective clarity was the cornerstone of RCPO. The primary goal? Plugging air defence gaps.This target was broken down into milestones spanning a decade. Indigenisation followed. Of the initial ₹185 Cr budget, ₹105 Cr was for foreign eqpt—a decade later, this had reversed
3/8: Breaking down objectives into visible milestones was a game-changer. RCPO had deliverables every 2-3 years: set up X nodes, design/ install Y radars, and build Z software. When stakeholders can see progress they benefit from, confidence and support skyrocket.
Read 8 tweets
Mar 18
For a long time, I wondered why the Chief of the @IAF_MCC was called the "Chief of Air Staff" and not the "Air Force Chief" or something similar. Well, at least I am finally enlightened. Sharing this brief of my exploration. (1/7)

#IAFHistory Image
The early 20th century witnessed a significant transformation in military structures, driven by the harsh realities of the Boer Wars (1899-1902). Reflecting on the conflict's challenges, the concept of "Staffs of the Services" emerged. 2/
These staff comprised officers with specialised qualifications tasked with reflective work, including acquiring and digesting extensive information, studying war possibilities, and preparing plans for potential scenarios. 3/ Image
Read 8 tweets
Mar 2
Jamangar Air Force station is in news these days. Jamnagar holds a very important place in @IAF_MCC. A topic worthy of a longer thread, but a few milestones are mentioned here.

A short thread (1/13) #IAFHistory Image
Jamanagar was not an Air Force Airbase before Independence, though the Jam Saheb was popular in the aviation circles. Post-independence, IAF was searching for a air firing and bombing range. After a search - it settled up Jamnagar and called it Armament Training Wing (ATW). 2/
The Jam Saheb was very fond of the Air Force and helped it immensely. It had an air to ground range at Sarmat and and air to air range in gulf of Kutch near the coastal strip of Jodhya - Balachandi. ATW was visited by Squadrons for training for a few weeks in rotation. 3/
Read 13 tweets
Feb 14
Air Marshal Ravinder Nath Bharadwaj, PVSM, MVC, VM, affectionately nicknamed "Mummy", passed away at 89 yesterday.

He was awarded MVC during the 1971 War, attacking Pakistan's airfields in the west. He was one of the only two Sqn Ldrs to receive this award(1/9)

#IAFHistory Image
From the 66th Pilot Course, he was commissioned in 1955 & joined the fighter stream. In 1961, he qualified as a Pilot Attack Instructor, the modern-day "Top Gun". The CO of PAI School, Nobby Clarke, gave the nickname "Mummy" for his sweet demeanour. It stuck for life. 2/ Image
Mummy also served in training extensively - He served as an instructor in Iraq & was with the OTU, training hunter pilots before the 1971 War, which earned him a Vayu Sena Medal, too. he continued his role in training later in life in staff appointments. 3/ Image
Read 9 tweets
Jan 6
While researching the initial lot of Cranwell graduates, I came across a name that caught my eye. This name was that of a certain Mr WHJ Wilkinson CIE ICS, whose name figures in most entry forms of the @IAF_MCC Cadets who went to Cranwell. The name did intrigue me a lot. (1/18) Image
My subsequent research revealed the story of a man who lived a very interesting life in India. It is a story that needs to be told, even if not directly related to #IAFHistory. It also has some gaps (gaps that I hope will be filled by crowdsourcing). 2/
Walter Hugh John Wilkinson was born in 1874 & went on to study at Oxford. Joining the ICS as a Political Officer, the 23-year-old arrived in India on 29 Nov 1897. His first five years were spent in various capacities in Bombay.. 3/
Read 19 tweets
Dec 17, 2023
What was it like to be in the @IAF_MCC in 1933?
This narrative captures the essence of that first year, viewed through the eyes of the early aviators. Little did they know their journey would demand courage and sacrifice. (1/20) #IAFHistory Image
The first Indian Air Force officers completed their education at RAF College Cranwell in July 1932. They spent a few months training in England. Subsequently, in April 1933, they returned to India to create the first flight of the No 1 Squadron. 2/ Image
Flight Lieutenant Cecil "Boy" Bouchier assumed command of this Flight. Boy Bouchier was a distinguished WWI veteran honoured with the DFC, AFC, and Polish and French Crosses. He volunteered for this role when no other British officer was prepared to lead. 3/ Image
Read 20 tweets

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