Anchit Gupta Profile picture
Jul 8, 2022 25 tweets 10 min read Read on X
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) Image
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/ Image
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/ Image
The NF10 had an endurance of 2 hours at 30,000 ft, a Goblin-3 engine, a fuel system suitable for aerobatics, AI Mk10 Radar with IFF Mk3, and 4 20-mm Hispano Guns. A Span of 38 ft, Max wt of 13,100 lb, max speed of 538 mph, and range of 1,220 miles with drop tanks. 4/
It had its limitations too – the lack of ejection seats on a single-engine left aircrew uncomfortable. Electricals were rudimentary for a night role. Mk10 AI radar was obsolete but could work well with Ground Control Interception with a max/min range of 6 miles/300 feet. 5/ Image
In all, 90 production ac were mfged. RAF took 76, & Italian AF took 14. Three RAF sqns served with these ac btwn 1951 and 54, at which point they upgraded, and India stepped in to buy 30 of these in two lots (18 in 1954 & 12 in 1957). The export variant was called NF54. 6/ Image
IAF’s rational to acquire the NFs remains unclear. Three plausible reasons – a) PAF bomber threat from Halifax & newly acquired B-57s, b) IAF’s buildup of the AD network focussed on point defence of major cities & c) Familiarity with Vampire (Day-fighter) - mainstay & HAL mfgd 7/ Image
PAF had acquired the Halifax in 1947 and added 6 more later. While outdated, they did participate in the Kashmir War, dropping supplies at NIGHT and PAF’s attempt to use it at as night bomber/ paradrop might have made IAF look for counter measures. 8/ Image
Secondly, in 1949 IAF had ordered 5 T-13/14/15 Radars from Marconi to be used as Sector Ops Centres for Ground Control interception. 1954 is when the first was setup at Delhi (11 SU) and not surprisingly, the first Night Fighter Sqn was based at Palam (10 Sqn). 9/ Image
IAF crews left for UK in Dec 1953 to convert to the NFs. 10 Sqn was selected, moved from Halwara to Palam in Dec 53. In June 54 S/L David Bouche, returned from UK (RAF Rushton & Leeming) & took over as the first CO of 10 Sqn in its night-fighter role as the first ac arrived. 10/ Image
NF required the pilot to do instrument flying & a Nav/ Radar operator who did the interception requiring great skill & dexterity. Very close co-operation was needed with the ground controller to put them in a favorable position. The best in IAF were selected for the job. 11/ Image
The role of the Navigator was critical. He was expected to navigate at night, operate the onboard radar, communicate with the ground controller & guide the aircraft for gun firing. It is no wonder that Navs in NF Sqn’s were made officiating COs/Flt Cdrs. 12/ Image
IAF operated only 10 Sqn on the NFs till Jan 58, when 37 Sqn was formed with a nucleus of the crew from 10 Sqn at Palam itself. In 1957-58, IAF had taken delivery of a further 12 NFs from RAF and these were used to raise 37 Sqn. 13/ Image
37 Sqn operated the NFs for only 5 years (58-62) but had an eventful time. In 58 it suffered two fatal accidents, the only in the NF fleet ever. Moved to Pune in Feb 60 to defend Bombay and took part in the 61 Goa liberation ops during this period 14/ Image
In May 58, A NF of 37 Sqn caught fire over Delhi and crashed into Safdarjung Airport killing both the pilot & Nav. The consequent fire gutted 12 aircraft of the Flying Club and killed four mechanics. Later in Aug, another NF went missing and was never found, presumed crashed. 15/ Image
37 Sqn had a limited role in the 61 Goa ops. A recce at Dabolim at 300 ft AGL where Ack-ack opened up on them. Later that night same at Daman & finally scrambled to chase of Portuguese Super Connie that took off from Dabolim, & hugging the deck went to Karachi. 16/ Image
Story of NF fleet is incomplete without the “Nosey Dakota”- HJ879. Acquired in 1958 & flown from the UK after modification with radome fitted on its nose, housing radar providing search/ homing facility to airborne targets. The purpose was to use this to train Navs of 10 Sqn. 17/ Image
For the bulk of its active period, the aircraft was singularly flown by HMPS Pannu. The Dakota trained the navigators to get into position (Such that the pilot can use the Gun on target) below at the 6 o'clock of the Harvard that flew as a target. 18/ Image
It was a Dakota Mk IV with two stage superchargers & had the superchargers active - unlike most MK IV which had the second stage blanked off. The aircraft was not easy to fly with reduced visibility due to the bulbous nose. Later it became part of 43 Sqn as a normal Dakota. 19/ Image
AVM KK Jain, was a young Fighter Controller with 11 SU at Najafgarh operating the T-14/15 Marconi Radar in 1961 & controlling the NFs of 10 Sqn and remembers an exercise with Liberators of 6 Sqn & the NFs as a sight to be seen. 20/ Image
In Oct 62, 37 Sqn converted to Hunter ac and in April 64, 10 Sqn was numberplated bringing an end to the service of NFs in IAF. The decision possibly driven by poor serviceability of the fleet & acquisition of the MiG-21 which reduced the need for separate day/night fighters. 21/ Image
The MiG-21s had to wait until 1971 to be effective in a night role. The decision to wind-down NFs left IAF vulnerable in the 1965 war where incidentally the 8-pass Charlie (B-57), in a solo raid destroyed a MiG-21 on the ground at 2200 in the night. An ironical twist. 22/ Image
In the only surviving and befitting picture dedicated to the crew of the IAF Nightriders - seen here is SR Powar as the CO with the entire 10 sqn in attendance. Likely taken between 1957 to 59. 23/ Image
58 years since winding down, the lone surviving Vampire NF54, ID606 still stands vigil over Delhi skies at the Air Force Museum at Palam. (24/24) Image

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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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