Other Delhi Warbirds

Details

New Delhi ::

Published on Tuesday, 10 October 2006 12:00

Various Locations

An abudance of warbirds decorating important centers of the government can be seen in Delhi. Besides the Indian Air Force Museum at Palam, which at latest count hosts nearly 34 warbirds of different era, retired aircraft can be seen at government organisations like the WAC HQ at Subroto Park, Air HQ at Vayu Bhavan, DG NCC Office and a good number of schools.

Delhi has Safdarjung Airfield which is a civilian airfield that houses the Delhi Flying Club, Palam Airfield which houses both the International Airport as well as the Indian Air Force Station. Outside Delhi enroute to Meerut is the Airbase of Hindon, which houses some strike aircraft like the MiG-27M. Hindon has a Sukhoi-7 airframe displayed within the airbase. This was an Ex-32 Squadron machine which was taken on charge when 32 Sqn converted to the MiG-21

Marcel de Jong of Netherlands sent in this picture of the Dassault Mystere IVa (IA 1009) on display in Delhi near the Delhi Old Bus stand. Even though fenced off with barbed wire, the Mystere seems to have been effected by ravages of city life. The Glass panel aft of the canopy seems to have been damaged and another panel in the dorsal spine is missing. Marcel de Jong has a report on Airplane spotting in India at his webpage.

This De Havilland DH.85 Leopardmoth was used by J R D Tata for the 40th Anniversary of his Karachi- Mumbai flight. The aircraft is now preserved in the Aero Club of India Building next to the DGCA Office at Safdarjung airfield in Delhi. The aircraft has become famous with the Indian Government issuing a stamp of JRD and his Leopardmoth in the eighties. Pic Courtesy Simon Watson

Another Hunter that can be seen on public display is the Hunter A-1012 on display at the office of the Director General of the National Cadet Corps. The DG NCC Office is located in R K Puram. It is on the road across the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Bhikaji Cama Place. The Hunter appears to be painted in the standard all grey scheme.

Hunter F56a A-1012 was in flying condition as seen above till the early 90s. Today it is mounted on poles for display at the DG NCC office in RK Puram in Delhi. The serial under the port wing should have been painted 'upsided down' . Pic Courtesy : Indian Air Force

Iskra W1745 can be seen pole mounted at the Shaheed Smarak - War memorial park in NOIDA - Sector 29. The aircraft sports an incorrect roundel on the nose as well as an all silver colour scheme. Google Maps Link