Ghaziabad:  A Dakota DC-3 aircraft of 1940 vintage that was gifted by Rajya Sabha member Rajeev Chandrasekhar to the Indian Air Force flew a sortie during the Air Force Day fly past at the Hindon air base in Ghaziabad. 

The aircraft was obtained from scrap in 2011 and was restored to flying condition in the UK by MP Chandrasekhar with the intention of gifting it to the IAF.

The Chief of Air Staff ceremonially accepted the aircraft into the force from Chandrasekhar on February 13, 2018.

The IAF also signed a contract with Reflight Airworks Ltd London for upgrading its navigational systems.

A fleet of Dakota DC-3 served in the Indian Air Force (IAF) till 1988. It was one of the most versatile transport aircraft of its time.

BJP MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar took to social media to extend his wishes and greetings to the Indian Air Force on Air Force Day. In his post, he said, “Happy 87th #AirForceDay to all #AirWarriors and their families #ServingOurNation. Touch the Sky with Glory! #IAFDay #IndianAirForceDay”