Bharat Rakshak:Indian Air Force

VP924 in flight

This photo shows two of No.12 Squadrons Dakotas in flight - with VP924 banking away. The photo was probably taken just before Independence or after.

Both the aircraft feature different roundel schemes. The aircraft in the foreg

Dropping supplies

This Dakota is possibly VP924. The aircraft carries the SEAC style roundel with a white center and the letter "H"

RIAF Dakota - Mid 1947

An undated photograph showing a Dakota of No.12 Squadron from around the time of August-Sept 1947

Discussion at Agra

With a Dakota of No.12 Squadron in the background, Air Commodore Mehar Singh (Left) chats with Wg Cdr Shiv Dev Singh (Right). Wg Cdr Minoo Merwan Engineer is standing in the center with his back to the camera. This photo is believed to be from Ag

VP917 at Poonch

Another photo of VP917 at Poonch embarking troops and refugees - the engines of the aircraft are still running in this picture

VP917 at Poonch

Another photo of VP917 at Poonch embarking troops and refugees - the engines of the aircraft are still running in this picture

VP917 at Poonch

Dakota VP 917 at Poonch airfield

VP911 at Poonch airfield.

This photograph, from the collection of late Gp Capt K L Bhatia shows Dakota VP911 of No.12 Squadron idling its engines during a refugee evacuation sortie at Poonch.

VP914 at Poonch

Dakota VP914 evacuating refugees and troops at Poonch. Unknown date. This aircraft carries the Type "C" roundels, where the white stripe / circle is much thinner than the other types. Note that the aircraft has kept its engine running.

VP912 at Poonch

This photograph shows VP912 evacuating refugees from Poonch. Once again the C Type roundels are prominent in this photo.

SEAC markings on a Dakota at Poonch

This photograph from "An Incredible War" shows a Dakota evacaution sortie at Poonch. The aircraft features the SEAC roundel with no Red inner circle.

VP911 in Refugee Evacuation.

Muslim ladies at Poonch getting ready to board Dakota VP911 of No.12 Squadron

Casuality Evacuation in VP924

An injured soldier is bodily lifted into the fuselage of Dakota VP924

Flying over the Himalayas

A Dakota flying over the Himalayas - at the height of the J and K Operations. Photograph from "Defending Kashmir"

VP924 over the Himalayas

VP924 in SEAC roundels flying high over the Himalayas. While this photograph appears to be the same as the one on the left, it is different and is just one of the sequence taken from the same flight.

VP924-02

A close up of the aircraft from thesame photograph

Chakra Markings

For a brief period in early 1948, aircraft of the Indian Air Force sported the "Chakra" markings. They proved shortlived due to the difficulty in painting them on aircraft. This photograph captures the wingtip of an unknown Dakota flyi

At Leh airstrip

This photograph is said to be of the first Dakota that landed at Leh

Flying Jeeps into Leh

This much reproduced photograph purports to show an Indian Air Force Dakota at Leh in 1948. Research is currently on to date this photograph and identify the officers in them. The picture apparently shows the first Jeep to be airlifted into Leh.

HJ205 with Pandit Nehru

Pandit Nehru visits Srinagar in mid 1948 in Dakota HJ-205. The Dakota is believed to be a civlian impressed aircraft - note the DC-3 styled entrance door which is different from the regular "Cargo type" seen on the military variant C-47