MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar got the aircraft refurbished as a tribute to his father's service in the Indian Air Force. The aircraft is flying for the first time during an Air Force Day ceremony on Monday.
The fully restored and newly inducted DC3 Dakota #VP905 Parashurama will be participating in the Indian Air Force Day flypast ceremony on October 8. Twenty-eight aircraft, including Dakota 1940 vintage version, will be participating in the Air Force Day flypast ceremony.
Dakota is flying for the first time during an Air Force Day ceremony. Also, Tiger Moth and Harvard-vintage aircraft will take part in the air display, which is the hallmark of the Air Force Day parade or investiture ceremony at Air Force Station, Hindan (Ghaziabad).
Dakota, as well as the ALH, are two inclusions, said Wing Commander Sharma of the Indian Air Force.
Member of Parliament Rajeev Chandrasekhar got the aircraft refurbished as a tribute to his father, Air Commodore (retd) MK Chandrasekhar who has fond memories of flying the aircraft that saved many a Kashmiri from Pakistani terrorists.
The Dakota DC-3 VP 905 Parashurama of 1940 vintage was formally inducted into the IAF during a grand ceremony at Hindan where a key was received by the Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa from Air Commodore (retd) MK Chandrasekhar, father of Rajeev Chandrasekhar. He handed over the aircraft to IAF on May 4 at the Hindan airbase.
Recalling his memories associated with the aircraft Dakota, MK Chandrasekhar said, "Dakota was the only transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force at that time. Dakota was the first aircraft to airlift Indian Army soldiers, land in Srinagar and save the locals from Pakistani terrorists who were overpowering the local manpower."
The retired Air Commodore explained that the people of Jammu and Kashmir could never have been saved if it wasn't for India's Dakota during 1946-47.
The restoration took over six years and is now ready to be part of the flying formations of the Air Force Day parade this year.
This famous flight of the Dakota, DC-3 VP 905 across seven countries was a recognition of the service provided by this venerable aircraft to the nation. The Dakota, popularly known as the Gooney Bird, was the first significant transport aircraft inducted in the fledgling Indian Air Force.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar had recently written to Suresh Prabhu, Union minister of commerce and industry and of civil aviation, urging the latter to designate April 15 as the Indian National Aviation Day.
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