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Bangalore is the hotbed of the Indian Aviation Industry with the presence of various Aircraft Design Establishments like the National Aeronautical Laboratories (NAL), Aeronautical Development Authority (ADA), Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), Aircraft Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It also has the Headquarters of Training Command, Air Force Technical College (AFTC) and the Transport Training Wing (TTW).
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| | HAL Gnat 1 on display at the Institute of Aviation Medicine (IAM), the IAF's premier medical establishment. The aircraft carries the number '9' painted in red on its rudder - indicating it was once operated by No.9 Squadron 'Wolfpacks'. Pic Courtesy : IAM |
Bangalore is the hotbed of the Indian Aviation Industry with the presence of various Aircraft Design Establishments like the National Aeronautical Laboratories (NAL) , Aeronautical Development Authority (ADA) , Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) , Aircraft Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It also has its fair share of Indian Air Force Establishments in the region, being the Headquarters of Training Command at JC Nagar and also being home to the Air Force Technical College (AFTC) at Jalahalli. Also at Yelahanka is the Transport Training Wing (TTW) which imparts conversion training to Pilots into the Transport Aircraft Stream.
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Nestled on the southern perimeter of the Bangalore airport is the Aircraft Systems Testing Establishment - otherwise known as ASTE. ASTE is home to test pilot training in India. It operates several different types of aircraft to be used by its personnel. | HAL HF-24 Marut 1T [D-1696] on display at the Aircrafts and Systems Testing Establishment in Bangalore. The aircraft is a rare two seater version and is the third marut on display in Bangalore. Pic Courtesy : Sanjay Simha |  |
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 | The Bangalore Military School on Hosur Road has this HT-2 on display at its playground. The aircraft can be seen from the main road. |
A walk down the Hosur road takes you past the Bangalore Military School. The School was established in 1946 to provide CBSE schooling to children of defence personnel. Its original name was King George Royal Indian Military College, Bangalore. In 1952 the name was shortened to “King George’s School”. The school cadets were appearing for Senior Cambridge Examination until 1962. In 1962 it got affiliation to ICSE and in 1966 it acquired its present name “Military School Bangalore”.
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Certainly the most highly visible [and as a result - the most well known] warbird in Bangalore is the HAL Ajeet [E-1083] displayed on a pole/pylon at the war memorial park at Cubbon Road. One of the busiest traffic junctions in the city, E-1083's location is significant as it is just besides the corporate Head Quarters of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
| The HAL Ajeet Prototype E-1083 during its roll out ceremony in the Seventies at HAL. |
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 | | In perfect formation : PZL TS11 Iskra [W-1773] with HAL HT-2 [IX-743] in the background at Training Command HQ at JC Nagar. Photo Copyright : Wg Cdr Joseph Thomas (Retd). |
The Headquarters of Training Command is located at JC Nagar. There are two warbirds at the HQ. The first was a beautiful Lycoming powered version of a HT-2 trainer mounted on poles. This HT-2 [IX-743] is quite well maintained as can be seen in the photographs. Its the only other Lycoming powered version seen as a warbird besides the HAL Museum example.
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| display outside the Aeronautical dept at the Indian Institute of Science. Pic Courtesy : Vijay Simha Reddy |  |
There is something about Prototype aircraft of HAL making their way to the collection of Science Museums and Educational Insititutions. The cases of the HF-24 Prototypes with the Technology center/Museums in Bombay, Chennai and Bangalore are well known. In line with the policy, the prototype of the HAL HT-2 aircraft, which first flew under civilian registration in the early 1950s, can now be viewed at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. IISc, as it is known is the bedrock of technology education in India before the advent of the IITs. Students of the IISc get thier "air experience" at a nearby flying club in HAL Pushpaks and other light trainer aircraft.
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| The Jakkur flying club outside Bangalore has the only airworthy example of the Aeronca Superchief (VT-CQQ) which is seen here. Pic Courtesy : K S Raman |  |
To the north of Bangalore, just after the Hebbal flyover is the village of Jakkur, which now hosts the Jakkur airfield. Jakkur is home to the Bangalore flying club as well as various flying schools and 'aerospace companies'. The presence of light aircraft is always visible at Jakkur.
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 | This De Havilland Devon, on the premises of Sri Ramaya School Campus at Jakkur Village is owned by VSM Aerospace Institute. Photo Copyright : Rahul Devnath |
One of the Aerospace Engineering Schools in Bangalore is Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Training Institute operated by VSM Aerospace Private Ltd. It was formerly located about 5 kms from the Bangalore airport, on the shoulder of Ring Road at the inter section of Kammanahalli Main Road, Ring Road and Hennur Main Road. The School has a De Havilland Devon on its premises as an instructional airframe.
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| OLD & NEW: HAL HT-2 BX-748 was earlier seen at the security gate at Jalahalli. Towards the end of 2002, this aircraft was moved to the Naval Aviation Museum in Goa and in turn has been replaced with the first HAL HPT-32 on public display X2517 |
Air Force Station, Jalahalli (Now 410 AFS) is a different entity at Jalahalli, not to be confused with the Air Force Technical College which is just to the side of the AFS. In terms of area, AFS Jalahalli is a much more larger facility than AFTC. The location is commonly referred to as Jalahalli (East). Both the facilities are divided by the Chikka Banavar Railway Station Road. AFS Jalahalli holds various Training Establishments for Airmen, including the Electronics, Electrical, Communication and Logistical Training Insititutes.
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 | The Wright Flyer I replica constructed by NAL team at the Vishweshwaraya Industrial and Technological Museum. |
Sometime in 2002, K.S.Raman a good friend and senior scientist at NAL told me excitedly that NAL is planning to build a replica of the Wright Flyer to coincide with the 100th year anniversary of the first flight of the Wright Brothers. The project was being done for the Vishweshwaraya Industrial and Technology Museum and they have already interacted with the Smithsonian Institution to acquire the construction plans for the Flyer.
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The Vishweshwaraya Industrial and Technology Museum (VITM) located on the Mahatma Gandhi Road showcases examples of science and technology and is meant to be an educative experience for the visitor. The Museum houses a HAL HF-24 Marut [BD-884] which is displayed outside the main building facing the road.  |  | | HAL HF-24 1R BD-884 on display outside the Vishweshwaraya Industrial and Technology Museum , MG Road. The Marut is fenced off by some wire and the Garden Hedge. |
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| The HT-2 T-64 at the Trinity Mess as seen from the road. Photo Copyright : B Harry |  |
The latest airforce warbird (as of 2006 June) in Bangalore is a new HT-2 which was installed on a pole at the Air Force Officers Mess at Trinity road , which is quite close to shopping district at MG Road.
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 | This derelict fuselage of a Devon is found at the MT section at Yelahanka airbase. Pic Courtesy : Simon Watson |
To the north of Bangalore, on the Hyderabad highway is the Air Force Station at Yelahanka. Yelahanka had a long history dating back to the Second World War, when a number of Spitfires, Mosquitos and other aircraft were based there.
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