Dakota, AKA Parashurama, Flies To Glory Again

Today is a proud moment not just for Indian Air Force but also for every single citizen of India as force celebrated its 86th anniversary. And what is a better way to celebrate Air Force Day than an awe-inspiring aerial display. And true to its capability, IAF did a scintillating air display at Air Force Station Hindan in Ghaziab, which saw multiple fighters including Tejas in action. 

However, star of this year's celebrations was Dakota DC3 aircraft that me its maiden appearance in Fly Past. Indian military aircraft, which played a vital role in 1947-48 India-Pakistan war and or wars, was restored to its original glory, me in flying condition by Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

RE: After Over 30 Years, Dakota Aircraft That Was Instrumental In Saving Kashmir For India Will Again Fly In Indian Air Force Colours

aircraft, which was restored following a six years process, was inducted into Vintage Aircraft Flight of Indian Air Force in May this year. This aircraft was gifted to nation by Chandrasekhar and was named Parashurama by him. An aviation enthusiast, he is son of an Air Commodore M K Chandrasekhar (Retd), who has flown Dakota Journey of Dakota to India

"I am delighted to see Dakota participating in its maiden fly past. Dakota is an important part of Air Force’s history - and J&K history. If it was not for Dakotas and troops it airlifted in 1947 - Srinagar would not be with India today.

restoration took over 6 years and cost me a lot of money. But I was motivated mainly for my far and many ors who served and need to remind country of bravery of IAF and Army in 1947 which kept young independent India toger with J&K," he said.

RE: 86th Air Force Day: From Pare Marches To Fly-past, Here's How India Is Commemorating Air Force Day. LIVE UPDATES

On February 13, 2018, Chandrasekhar gifted Dakota bearing Tail Number VP 905 and called “Parashurama” in a signing ceremony to Indian Air Force to be ded to its Vintage Fleet. aircraft commenced its journey from UK on April 17 to India with and flew a total of 9,750 km during its ferry en-route halts in France, Italy, Greece, Jordan, Bahrain and Oman and landed on Indian soil on April 25. 

Dakota DC3 VP 905 Parashurama was formally inducted into IAF Vintage Flight on May 4 in a grand ceremony at Air Force Station Hindan where Air Cmde M K Chandrasekhar handed over a symbolic key to Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal B S Dhanoa.

History

Dakota, popularly known as Gooney Bird, was first major transport aircraft inducted into Indian Air Force (IAF). Remembered by IAF pilot veterans as one of finest and most forgiving aircraft in world, DC 3 Dakota airplane has played a sterling role in history of IAF. As a transport aircraft used to move troops to Kashmir in 1947 to being used in famous Tangail drop during Banglesh War in 1971.

Dakota was at forefront of operations from 1947 to 1971 and played an indispensable role in logistics and transportation during its flying years in IAF. No.12 Squron was first unit to re-equip with this aircraft in 1946 and Dakota was at forefront of operations for next four deces. Capability of Dakota 

Deouglas DC 3 and its military variant C47 was selected for transport squron of IAF. basic version was DC -3 also called Dakota. plane was powered by 2 piston engines and could seat 28 fully armed troops. It h a top speed of 150 MPH and a range of a thousand miles. More important aircraft h a very low accident rate and in a way, at that time it was best plane for IAF.

Induction of Dakota in 12 Squron

No 12 Squron was created at Karachi and was allotted 10 Dakotas. While being ferried to Karachi, one DC-3 was damaged beyond repair in a storm. or 9 aircraft weared storm and training schedule of IAF pilots commenced on m. With partition looming over sub-continent and chance that British rule would end No 12 Squron was moved out of Karachi to India

first military role of Dakota 

India achieved freedom on August 15, 1947, and immediately Pakistan army, aided by an irregular militia consisting of tribesmen from frontier, inved Kashmir. Maharajah of Kashmir Hari Singh immediately acceded to India and signed instrument of accession. He also requested for Indian troops to fight invers who h neared capital Srinagar.

On October 27, 1947, three Dakotas of No.12 Sqn took off from Wellingdon Airfield (Safdarjung) at 0500 hours for Srinagar, carrying Indian army personnel, signaling start of IAF operations in 1947-48 War. Before end of day, 28 Dakota sorties were flown (including 6 civilian sorties). 

Not a single DC 3 was lost and aircraft proved itself as a hardy plane. Later it was also used to ferry supplies to Leh, highest airfield in world at a height of 12000 ft. first aviator who flew a Dakota and landed at Leh airfield was Air Commodore Mehar Singh. He landed at an improvised strip on November 24, 1948. 

After end of Kashmir operations, more Dakotas were procured by IAF and main supply lines in North and East of India were handed to Dakotas. Two squrons no 43 and 49 were incorporated in east specifically for supply forwarding troops. This was just beginning and after this, Dakota became a standard transport aircraft of IAF. Dakota squrons were based at Jorhat and Kumbhigran and became lifeline of Indian army forward troops.

Dakota was put to good use during Indo China war of 1962 and also during Banglesh war in 1971. crucial para-drop operations in Tangail, 60 miles from Dhaka, on December 11, 1971, four days ahe of Pakistan military’s historic surrender to India-Banglesh Joint Command on December 16 were done from a Dakota. capability of Dakota to take off from underprepared strips and hardy frame and engine was a bonus and troops and supplies were ferried without any attrition. 

One of Dakotas was gifted to Mufti Bahini and became known as ‘kilo squron’. It was a modified Dakota and start of BAF (Banglesh Air Force) can be traced to this Dakota.

End of Dakota 

After end of 1971, Dakota was replaced by Avro HS-748. Dakotas were n phased out and some of m were handed to Border Security Force who used plane up to 1987.