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.

Thus, with such a significant presence of Aviation related activities , Its no surprise that there are a very high number of warbirds on view in this Garden City. At last count, nearly 50 warbirds were counted in and around Bangalore. AFTC, AFS Jalahalli and the HAL Museum accounting for a majority of these.

Two warbirds can be seen within the city without much effort, A HAL Ajeet Prototype (E-1083) can be viewed in the roundabout at the front of the HAL office, and an HF-24 Marut (BD-884) can be seen at the Vishweshwaraya Industrial and  Technology Museum at Kasturba Road near Cubbon Park. This Marut is a prototype of the Mk 1R version. VITM also boasts a newly built Wright Flyer Replica. 

One of the colorful warbirds in private custody is this Yellow painted Devon with the VSM Institute of Aerospace Engineering. Click the Devon page for more pictures.  Pic Courtesy : Rahul Devnath

The Recently opened HAL Heritage Museum has a collection of more than ten aircraft. A HF-24 Marut Two seater is on display as the Gate Gaurdian at ASTE. The aircraft is a rare two seater version and is preserved in good condition.

Unconfirmed sightings from Bangalore are many. A Look at the Warbird sightings page would reveal the possiblities of aircraft in and around Bangalore. There is a sighting that needs to be confirmed  is the presence of  the fuselage of a C-47 Dakota at the Army Service Corps Center's Driving Park.