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Obituary : B Harry (Harish Balaji Kannan)

Obituary Features

The following was posted on the Bharat Rakshak Forums.

Harry passed away in May 2007. Cause is heart attack.

Link to the news item

I was his classmate in college. He did have an amazing knowledge about military technology as ascertained from his interaction with a defense scientist at the IIT-Madras tech seminar on the LCA in 2004.

B Harry (Harish Balaji Kannan) was a regular contributor to this website as well. He was one of the few Indians to have an interest in Warbirds and thus he would regularly go out on Warbird Hunts. Dozens of his photos can be found in the Chennai section and other places. He went "off the scope" in May 2007. Harry valued his privacy very much. So much that he was accessible only by email or by IM. The result was that his demise went unnoticed for so long. and Sadly, we found out about this only now.

RIP Harry.

The Iskra Phasing out Ceremony

Warbirds of India Features

Jagan Pillarisetti

The Phase out ceremony

The aircraft was officially phased out on December 16, 2004 at Hakimpet at a solemn ceremony conducted in the afternoon. The Air Officer Commanding, AFS Hakimpet, Air Commodore Rakesh Kacker VM received the Chief Guest for the event, Air Marshal B N Gokhale AVSM VM, Senior Air Staff Officer, Training Command.

	The final flypast by three Iskras escorted by two Kiran Mk IIs
As the Iskras approached the dias, the Kirans pulled up and away as the Iskras carried on.

There were five Iskras put up as a static display at the venue. Three Iskras were earmarked for a flypast and two more were on standby. A simple flypast of three Iskras escorted by two Kiran Mk IIs was done after which, the Iskras carried out a head on 'Trishul' (Trident) pass over the dais.

Benares Hurriane takes to the Air

Damien Burke Features

Photos Courtesy: Damien Burke and HandMade by Machine Ltd.
	Hurricane Mk 1 R4118 (G-HUPW) takes to the air.

It is now over four years since the Benares Hindu University's Engineering College (BENCO) sold the derelict Hurricane that was lying on its campus to englishman Peter Vacher. After a three year marathon restoration effort to make it airworthy, the Hurricane, R-4118 has taken to the air.

The aircraft was first reported to have been sold in early reports , Subsequently it was identified as R4118 and its construction number is G592301. It was registered in the United Kingdom as G-HUPW.

IIT-K, PEC and HAL Ozhar Trip Report

Rishi Tandon Features

Rishi Tandon, a warbird enthusiast had visited PEC Chandigarh, IIT Kanpur and HAL Ozhar in recent days and he has sent the following trip report and warbird sightings:

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The Canberras still fly

Phil Camp and Simon Watson Features

Three of the Canberras of 'B' Flight of 106 Squadron, IP-990 , IF-901 and P-1098 undergoing checks at Agra. Pic Courtesy: Simon Watson
October , 2001: Air Forces Monthly Magazine's Feburary 2002 issue has a feature on the IAF's longest serving aircraft, The Canberra which is being operated by 106 SPR Squadron at Agra.
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The Great Warbird Auction 1976

Peter Arnold Features

Courtesy: Mr. Peter Arnold, Key Mags Forum
An interesting document that resurfaced from the personal archives of Mr. Peter Arnold is this Tender document for sale of obsolete aircraft in the Indian Air Force. Towards the end of 1975, this letter was sent by the Under Secretary to the Government of India, offering several airframes and aircraft engines and parts for sale.
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Indian Warbird Census crosses 300 mark.

Warbirds of India Features

When this website started, we presented a list of known Indian Warbirds - and they numbered around 80 as on January 2001. Now thanks to our website visitors, contributions and personal efforts, our catalogue of preserved warbirds has crossed the 300 mark. The current total is 306 identified and located warbirds. It should be pointed out that about 30 out of these 306 are either derelict or wreckages or training airframes which we have made note of. It should be pointed out here that the total does not include another 20 or so TS-11 Iskras expected to be sent for preservation in the near future.
Leading Populous Type : Gnat
Its no surprise that the Gnat / Ajeet combination leads the survey with nearly 39 aircraft identified around the country and more reports and sightings pouring in even as we speak. This also translates into a 12% survivor ratio of all the aircraft that served with the IAF.
The Hawker Hunter comes in second, with nearly 24 aircraft identified as preserved with a possible 12-15 in storage after their withdrawal from service a few years back. Third place goes to the MiG-21, 26 aircraft identified, but since 4 of these are relics or incomplete aircraft or wreckages, the net position is 26-4 = 22 - So Rank No.3
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