Anybody fancy an 'Indian'?

Just came across this thread and pleased to see a couple of Indian B(I)58s mentioned (and images). Also to read Jagan’s posts because, some time back (1997?), he graciously provided images of B(I)58 No IF907 at the IAF Museum for use on my web site.

One query, maybe Jagan can help find an answer.

The new paint job on IF907 looks good but where has the window over the navigator’s table gone? (See the enlargements attached) Has it been painted over? If so, why?

:confused:

IAF Museum Palam March 2005

Here are the final few shots from the 35mm, not captured on digital. A rather nice shot of a yellow Prentice, the first type I ever flew in, the Gnat/Ajeet on the gate, all of the B-24 using a wider angle lens and finally a shot of the ‘Toofani’ for CrazyM.

Mark

Mark,

Now I am thoroughly confused. Ralph said that picture was taken at the School and is the same one as the photos that follow on that page. The SSPMS canberra is definitely not outskirts – its just on the road behind the Railway Station in the center of the city.

I am writing to Ralph to get a clarification.

Jagan

Harry, I would say definitely a new Canberra Survivor !!. Once George of CAG Fame mentioned an aircraft at Pimpri Chinchwad which he could not identify. I suspect this is the one..

Jagan,

Are we agreeing that my 1997 Canberra shot at Pune/Poona and your Ralph Lunt shot are the same aircraft at the same location? Note tree and telegaph pole and wires.

Mark

If India keeps developing at its present rate it’ll be able to make new aircraft to supplement its present collection.

Here are the other two pictures of NH631. First one is a ground run, second is the parade from 97 or 98

Harry, I would say definitely a new Canberra Survivor !!. Once George of CAG Fame mentioned an aircraft at Pimpri Chinchwad which he could not identify. I suspect this is the one..

Great pics, Mark. Is the Fansong-E radar (in front of the Liberator) still there?

Check attached.

The aft Su-7 piece reads “Mangat” after it’s pilot, Wing Cdr. Mangat. The aircraft survived an AIM-9B hit.

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1971War/Patsingh.html

Can you tell which one it is? From Poona to Bombay this would be on your right. It didn’t look like a school but lots of kids and quite close to the outskirts of Poona

It is’nt the Canberra which was restored,

http://www.warbirdsofindia.com/wbpune03.html

Yours is a new discovery.

Is there a hump on the rear fuselage where the aerial mast was supposed to be?

Doesn’t look like it.

I think this pic is from the warbirdsofindia.com site. Is the same picture you were talking about?

Mark,

Is this by chance the hanger that is right beside the AN-12 and C-119? That’s the hanger that I saw the Vampire in.

It is indeed.

This last Monday, the S/Ldr 2i/c the Museum did not know where the Mk VIII was or even if it was at Palam. He even gave me the contact name and address of the Chief Engineering officer to make an enquiry by post.

Mark

Will J

It is however regrettably kept in the Historic Flight hangar and rarely accessible to ‘Joe public’.

Mark

Mark,

Is this by chance the hanger that is right beside the AN-12 and C-119? That’s the hanger that I saw the Vampire in.

Is there a hump on the rear fuselage where the aerial mast was supposed to be?

Got a couple of other pictures of the spit, will post later in the day after i go home. One of the pics shows it doing a ground run, the other shows it being towed past during a parade on an airforce day (97 or 98)

I’d never noticed before that the rear glazing behind the canopy is either faired or painted over, which probably explains the longer-looking fuselage.

I also think that the aerial mast (not fitted) does something to break up the flowing lines of the fuselage, too, and if not fitted makes for a sleeker aircraft. But that’s just me… :rolleyes:

Good observations – agreed.

I’d never noticed before that the rear glazing behind the canopy is either faired or painted over, which probably explains the longer-looking fuselage.

I also think that the aerial mast (not fitted) does something to break up the flowing lines of the fuselage, too, and if not fitted makes for a sleeker aircraft. But that’s just me… :rolleyes:

Is NH631 a converted two seater, retaining the slightly ‘forward’ front cockpit, the rear of the fuselage looks a bit non standard.

Will J

No it is a standard Mk VIII aircraft.

It was originally on display in the museum hangar going back to the 1960’s.

It was restored to flight status for a special IAF anniversary culminating in a flight test in 1982. Although it may have flown occasionally after that, by June 1991, when I took the attached image, it was ‘resting’ and has not flown since to my knowledge. It is however regrettably kept in the Historic Flight hangar and rarely accessible to ‘Joe public’.

Mark

Is NH631 a converted two seater, retaining the slightly ‘forward’ front cockpit, the rear of the fuselage looks a bit non standard.

(Just lowering the tone with a predictable nit-picking, rivet-counting Spitfire question. This is a brilliant thread full of variety and suprises, and Spitfires 😀 , the forum at its best…)

Cheers for the excellent pics mark12!

I was told that there was another potentially airworthy Spitfire in another hanger, but I wasn’t able to get in to see it.

You’d be talking about NH631 then?

(photo from www.warbirdsofindia.com)

I visited the IAF museum Wednesday 02MAR05 before I flew on to Karachi and Cairo. In addition to the previously mentioned colorful paint schemes, these are a few other things that I noticed. I’m not griping or complaining, just pointing out a few things I saw.

I don’t know how much of the Whapiti it is real and how much is a mock up, but the wheels and tires look like they were taken off a truck and the engine is wooden. But I gather that it is the only one around so I guess beggers can’t be choosers. The Hurricane, Tempest and Lyslander all seem to have industrial castors for tail wheels. The spinner isn’t quite right on the Hurricane. It’s too small in diameter and doesn’t fit right. The Spitfire’s right side engine cowling was being held in place with wire and one blade of the prop had a chunk missing out of it. The landing gear on the Spitfire were tied together with a chain, to keep them from spreading apart and collapsing.

One thing that they don’t have to worry about is weak tow bars. They were pretty beefy and some of them seemed to weigh as much as the planes!

I was told that there was another potentially airworthy Spitfire in another hanger, but I wasn’t able to get in to see it. I did see a nice looking Vampire through the door though. There were two new Iskras out with the transport planes between the hangers. I say new only because they weren’t there the last time I visited the museum.

I don’t think I’d call the IAF Museum world class, but I’d definately put it on the “must see” list. I don’t mean to bad mouth the museum as I know that they do what they can with what they have. All in all, I think they do a pretty good job. I’ve been to Delhi several times over the years and always enjoy myself. The Indian people are some of the most polite I’ve ever met and there’s never a shortage of things to see and do. Of course you do have to learn to look past the rampant poverty and filth! But it’s worth the trip.

Nice piccies Mark, thanks.

A Night Fighter Vampire is nice to see – very rare – ex RAF to!

Great pictures. That museum is very well lit and with lots of room to view the exhibits. The IAF has done a veyr good job of preserving it’s history.

It was actually unlit and cloudy bright outside at mid-day. All credit to the resolving power of the camera.

The shots were from my little Canon Ixus V3 with just 3.2 Megapixals and the flash switched off. I lost a couple to camera shake at full vertical stretch, the yellow Prentice etc, but will pick those up on the 35mm with Jumbo flash.

Mark

Great pictures. That museum is very well lit and with lots of room to view the exhibits. The IAF has done a veyr good job of preserving it’s history.