This beautiful gleaming Douglas C-47 Dakota was handed over to the Bangladesh Air Force today in Delhi. Here’s the IAF’s official statement:
On a formal request from the Bangladesh Air Force and reviewing the historic ties, the IAF today handed over one Dakota aircraft from the IAF museum to the Bangladesh Air Force. The aircraft was gifted by Air Marshal SS Soman, Air Officer Commanding in Chief Western Air Command to Air Marshal Muhammad Enamul Bari, Chief of Bangladesh Air Force in a befitting ceremony at Air Force Station Palam.
The Dakota aircraft has played a sterling role in the history of the Indian Air Force. Much nostalgia can be associated with the aircraft as it was one of the pioneers of the transport fleet of the Indian Air Force. The aircraft played a crucial role in the 1947-48 war and a pivotal role in liberation of Bangladesh and formation of Bangladesh Air Force. It was the first transport aircraft that landed at heights of 11500 ft in Leh by then Wg Cdr Mehar Singh. The aircraft was used for transporting troops in Srinagar during 1947-48 war and also for the famous Tangail drop, (the biggest and most ambitious air drop operation since World War II).
Any word on its use at BAF ?
Dakota is synonymous with bygone era. Even the current MIG 21 has become dakota. Expedite Rafale deal and make MIG21 a dakota soon.
How this plane will be transported to Bangladesh. Its pretty sure that it cant fly on its own, then if to be transported by road, it needs to disassembled.
Shiv, why you don't cover India china border face off? this time India stationed more soldiers to deter Chinese aggression.
Though you keep posting on this blog, your quality of posts have steadily gone down. When more pictures of controversial issues are needed, you are posting Dakota.
Come on.. what happened to pictures of Chinese in Chumur or Demchok?
Shiv,all this is fine,but would like you to take a look at how our Defence preparedness is being stalled by Defence accounts department.The grapevine is that the Integrated financial advisor of western navy command turned down the file for submarine batteries and this resulted in the submarine fire of INS sundhukesari. The financial advisor of the eastern navy command at Vizag also keeps putting hurdles in operational requirements but no one has the courage to overrule him.The navy officers are fed up with this guy as he sits on files for minimum 3 months and takes bribe from vendors.If this is true,we are looking at another disaster where we court martial the CO and these jokers are not even touched
I always get a unsafe page warning when I visit your website Shiv. I have Bitdefender anti virus installed and it blocks your website with an message saying "This page is blocked by Bitdefender Antifraud filter."
Good going
The tie between India and Bangladesh is more stronger than before.
Shame on India for donating a piece of history to another country.This aircraft played a crucial role in the historic air lift of troops to protect kashmir from Pakistan intruders.