March 28, 2024
This is an ex-IAF HS-748 Avro at Meerut that happens to be the first ever example in 'private' ownership...

Lal Qila Airport Resort is a Hotel that is located in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. It is located at 58 Meerut Bypass Road, Near the National Highway. The Resort features an engine-less Avro HS-748 aircraft mounted on pylons up in the air that acts as a restaurant for the Hotel.

The aircraft is displayed in spurious markings and its origins are sort of a mystery.

The aircraft appears to be an ex-Indian Air Force example procured from Bangalore. A news report in Hindi mentions that the aircraft was procured by Mr. Bharat Bhushan Arora in 2015 and was installed at the current location in March 2015 when the Hotel was opened. An early photo (below) shows an IAF-style fin flash and aircraft code “D” on the tail confirming that this is an ex-Indian Air Force example (Squashing all talk about it being a BSF or an ex Indian Airlines aircraft).  

One of the oldest photographs available on the FB page of the Lal Qila restaurant shows the Avro with the tell-tale IAF fin flash.

At this point this is the only ex-Indian Air Force Avro in private hands, and the only one doing duty as a restaurant.


Photos and Report Courtesy of Dipalay Dey.  Additional Photos via Lal Qila Resort Facebook Page

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