<![CDATA[Air Force Station Begumpet]]> http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Galleries/Museums/Begumpet/ Begumpet airport is located right in the heart of the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad in Andhra Pradesh. Its history dates back to the early 30s when the Hyderabad Aero Club was formed and it became the airfield for Nizam of Hyderabad's aircraft. The airport was further developed with the provision of a proper airport terminal building in 1937.

During the Second World War, the flying club was taken over by the RAF for its training purposes and No.1 Elementary Flying Training School was soon established. No.1 EFTS operated a number of DH82 Tigermoths impressed from civilian service and was functional for almost the entire duration of the war. In 1945 No.1 EFTS was wound up and Begumpet reverted back to complete civilian control again.

In Oct 1951, No.1 Air Force Academy moved to Begumpet from Ambala and flying training commenced under the Indian Air Force Management once again. In 1956, the AFA, now redesignated as Air Force College moved out of Begumpet, and the station was named "Air Force Station, Hyderabad". In 1963, No.1 Transport Training Wing was moved to AFS Hyderabad and remained there till its amalgamation into the TTW Bangalore in 1968. Air Force Station Begumpet as we know it today, came into establishment in 1968, and remains so till this date.

The Station and its Museum:

AFS Begumpet retains much of a Historic feel when one takes a tour of the faciilties. One gets a feeling that the station has not changed much from the 30s when the British used to garrision their troops here. More than half of the buildings are of vintage build and are maintained well by the IAF personnel there.

In December 2004, Begumpet AFS started its own 'in-house' Museum. Housed in one of the rooms in the aircrew and administration building besides the old terminal, the Museum was inagurated by former CAS, Air Chief Marshal Idris Latif. The Museum has on display various photographs, mementos and small artifacts salvaged from the station. Pride of place goes to information gathered from the book "Aviation in the Hyderabad Dominions" by Mrs P Anuradha Reddy. One whole wall of the museum has information and photographs from this book.

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