Get item URLs Group photograph of No. 54 pilot’s course at Ambala in early Sept. 1949. There were 84 of us including 5 Naval Officers. The pencil marks indicate those who failed to make the grade. Views: 275 Show URLs + Show image directly: [IMG] Show a clickable thumbnail linking to the item: [TMB] Show image directly: [IMG] Show a clickable thumbnail linking to the original: [TMB] Get item URLs Self, Locky Loughran, and Kay Views: 198 Show URLs + Show image directly: [IMG] Show a clickable thumbnail linking to the item: [TMB] Show image directly: [IMG] Show a clickable thumbnail linking to the original: [TMB] Get item URLs Misra, Self, and Sharma Views: 165 Show URLs + Show image directly: [IMG] Show a clickable thumbnail linking to the item: [TMB] Show image directly: [IMG] Show a clickable thumbnail linking to the original: [TMB] Get item URLs Self, Jackie Jacquet, & Woody Woodfall Taken 1949-50 Views: 176 Show URLs + Show image directly: [IMG] Show a clickable thumbnail linking to the item: [TMB] Show image directly: [IMG] Show a clickable thumbnail linking to the original: [TMB] Get item URLs Row: Arjun Dev Ralli, Self, J N Jatar, Parm Prit Singh, Locky Loughran, C K S Raje, and Dara Views: 178 Show URLs + Show image directly: [IMG] Show a clickable thumbnail linking to the item: [TMB] Show image directly: [IMG] Show a clickable thumbnail linking to the original: [TMB] Get item URLs No 14 (Spitfire) Squadron based at Ambala in 1951. Views: 265 Show URLs + Show image directly: [IMG] Show a clickable thumbnail linking to the item: [TMB] Show image directly: [IMG] Show a clickable thumbnail linking to the original: [TMB] Get item URLs These photographs were taken during fighter conversion. We are in front of a Spitfire Mk XVIII . Locky, Woody, Self, & Kay Views: 198 Show URLs + Show image directly: [IMG] Show a clickable thumbnail linking to the item: [TMB] Show image directly: [IMG] Show a clickable thumbnail linking to the original: [TMB] Get item URLs Standing: Bhopia, Self, Kay, Woody, Pande, Jackie, Misra, & MM Singh Sitting: Menon, Kumar, Jatar, Locky, Pavamana (Navy), & PP Singh Views: 195 Show URLs + Show image directly: [IMG] Show a clickable thumbnail linking to the item: [TMB] Show image directly: [IMG] Show a clickable thumbnail linking to the original: [TMB] Page: 1

Air Vice Marshal Arvind Dalaya , 4025 F(P), AVSM, VM., was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 1951 at the age of 20. He was one of the first fighter pilots deputed to form the nucleus of the IAF's helicopter force. He would raise the 114 HU , which would later make its mark in Siachen, and would also serve as AOC, J & K before his retirement in the 80s.

More Photos of 54PC

The 54 Course

During our training, there was invariably a fatal accident on fighters on the same base on Saturdays. This was very demoralizing to cadets. It appeared that Ambala was jinxed on Saturdays. It was therefore decided to observe Saturday as a maintenance day instead of Monday.

Only 23 cadets and 2 Naval Officers received their “wings”. Out of the 23 cadets, 7 subsequently died due to flying accidents and other events while serving in the Air Force.

Spitfires at Ambala

Although I never served in a Spitfire squadron, I did realize my dream of flying that aircraft.The Spitfire was a sleek, streamlined airplane. I felt like I was a part of the aircraft. When you climbed in the cockpit, you found it was rather cramped though all controls were within easy reach and the visibility was fairly good. During takeoff, while increasing power, the Merlin engine of the Spit XVIII gave tremendous power and the whole aircraft vibrated immensely. In no time the aircraft was airborne. The Spit was extremely maneuverable, especially in the turn and it was a great pleasure to fly.

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