March 28, 2024

A neglected Dakota at Birlagram Airport. Update 2015: Aircraft sold and dismantled!

VT-AUM is the last of the Dakotas owned by the Birla Group. It is currently parked on the Birlagram airfield near Nagda. Pic Courtesy : David Hunter

120 miles to the east of the capital Bhopal is the town of Birlagram. Birlagram is the location where a major industrial complex of the Aditya Birla Group – Grasim Industries is based. The town is actually located near Nagda but is refered to as Birlagram. David Hunter recently visited Nagda and confirmed that the last remaining Dakota of the Birla group is still present at the Birlagram airport.

VT-AUM is the last of the Dakotas owned by the Birla Group. It is currently parked on the Birlagram airfield near Nagda. Pic Courtesy : David Hunter

The Aircraft, a C-47A c/n 18905 registered as VT-AUM sits at the end of the runway. It was originally planned to be moved to a childrens park to act as a plaything, but it proved too difficult for dismantling and was left at the airfield. Sadly, years of neglect are showing a telling effect and the tyres and undercarriage along with the tail fin have deteriorated considerably. Even then, someone has taken the effort to seal the aircraft – including the doors and windows.

In January 2015, the Dakota was sold in a public auction. The aircraft was dismantled and was dispatched to Gulbarga.

Aircraft Type Regn Remarks
Douglas DC-3 Dakota VT-AUM Nearly derelict but extant 2006

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