Bell 47 VT-DXE is currently located at the Carver academy of Aviation in Baramati town in Maharashtra. Seen in recent years at 2007 Aero India show, the helicopter was restored to display status by Mr Shrikant Kotnis, a 90 year old RIAF/IAF veteran who was decorated for his service in the 47-48 Kashmir war. Mr. Kotnis has now written an appeal about the helicopter, after trying for years unsuccesfully to keep the helicopter airworthy.
Mr. Kotnis helped restore this aircraft to running condition (though it was not flown in the air) and since then the helicopter has found its way to Carver Flight Academy in Baramati town in Maharashtra.
Mr. Kotnis tried for a while to keep the helicopter airworthy. The time now has come for the aircraft to go back to Pushpaka Aviation. In this matter Mr. Kotnis has written an appeal which is reproduced here.. with some minor edits:
30th November 2014
Respected Sirs,
This a desperate attempt to keep ALIVE a HISTORICAL HERITAGE HELICOPTER, a Bell 47 G2, VT — DXE, which, at present is lying in Baramati Airport, under the care of Carver Aviation Academy.
This Helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter Co., U S A, in January 1957, was used by I A F for training purposes. Air Marshal Sekhon, { Mesco Airlines }, Gen Pawar { Global Vectra } and many many others have learned flying on this type.
In civil life also it has done yeoman's service in Indian Agriculture, carrying out Aerial Spraying of Pesticides and Fertilizers in Maharashtra, Gujrath, Punjab, Karnataka and Kerala on various types of crops.
It has also been used by film industry in films like Burning Train, Qurbany, Roop ki Rani Choron ka Raja and many many more.
It has transported many V V I Ps during election times in the past.
This Helicopter got its name " Ageless Beauty " when it was exhibited in an International Air Show held in 2007 in Bengaluru.
I happen to have the unique privilege of having served three Air Forces, RAF, RIAF and IAF. I am proud to have been " Mentioned in Dispatches " for my meritorious work rendered in Kashmir Operations, in 1947. At present, at the age of 90 + , I have an A M E License in A & C categories to cover FIVE types of Bell Helicopters and is valid till 13th January 2016.
I have also the unique privilege of being officially permitted by DGCA to start an engine installed on a helicopter, in spite of C A R Section 2.
In the past, this helicopter was disposed off by I A F and was purchased by Helicopter Services, Juhu, along with DXA, DXB, DXC and DXD. Later on VT – DXB was purchased by Cama Aviation, Juhu and Agricultural Aviation, a sister concern of Indamer Co, Juhu purchased DXE in un – serviceable condition. I had completely stripped it and re built it. The only defect was with wooden Main Rotor Blades which had to be resurfaced very often. Indamer purchased overhauled metal M / R Blades But Unfortunately nobody noticed the fact that the difference between T S N and T S O was only about five hours, definitely indicating a basic defect during manufacture of the blades, thus resulting in slight but irritating vibrations.
Sqdn Ldr Vincent { POP } Louis has flown this helicopter for about 100 + hours during Aerial Spraying Ops on sugarcane in Bardoli Gujrat. And he has created a record of spraying 2000 + acres in a day, consecutively for three days in Mota Village near Bardoli.
I thank you all for reading this so far and, coming to the point, I APPEAL to all of you to send an e mail to Mr Marc Carvalho. CEO of Carver Aviation, { marcarver@gmail.com } and Mr Suresh Rao, MD of Pushpa ka Aviation Pvt. Ltd, { sureshhrao@mail.com } to please come to a reasonable settlement and KEEP THE MACHINE IN BARAMATI ONLY where I think it will be more useful. Carver Aviation, Baramati has better infrastructure and technical staff than Pushpaka Aviation, Juhu.
If my dream comes true, I am sure that Bell Helicopter Co would like to exhibit it ALIVE with an ACTIVE spray system, next to their latest helicopter in the next International Air Show.
I leave the future of this Helicopter to GOD and all of you. At present I have the satisfaction to have tried hard to save this HISTORICAL HERITAGE HELICOPTER.
With all the best wishes, respectful regards and LOTS OF THANKS,
Yours sincerely,
Shrikant Kotnis
