| Spitfires |
The first Supermarine Spitfire with the IAF was a lone Spitfire Mk Vc provided to No.4 Squadron on the eve of the Arakan Campaign. Operated by Indian veterans from the European front, the Spitfire was flown in a pathfinding as well as an interceptor role operating from Cox Bazar.
The First unit to convert to the Spitfire was No.8 Squadron. It became the only Indian Spitfire unit to see action against the Japanese when it started operations from Cox Bazar in January 1945. The squadron completed its third tour in the front till the Japanese surrender in August 1945.
After the surrender, the second unit to have the Spitfires, No.4 was given the distinction of forming part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan. The Pilots of which bought back an Okha Rocket plane as a souvenir from Japan!
The Saga of the Spitfire continued till the late 1950s when No.14 Sqn became the last unit to fly them till they converted to the Hawker Hunter.
For many years the Spitfire was the dream of every rookie pilot joining the IAF. One topper from the AFA on posting to the Jet Training Wing in Hakimpet begged the Base Commander to do his training on the Spitfire rather than the newly arrived Jet Vampires! Such was the legacy of this elegant and sleek fighter.
The Spitfire saga in the IAF |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
.
|
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
