12183 Master Warrant Officer Viswanath Dattatraya Walwadikar, Fitter 1, was posted to the Gas Turbine Research Establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation in August 1965. Soon after arrival, after familiarising himself with the Orpheus Reheat Project work being carried out in GTRE, he was given the task of looking after the GTRE flight development detachment set up at the HAL Aircraft Division. He was associated with the flight development of the HF-24 Aircraft with Orpheus Reheat Engines installed in it. During the early stages, various development problems connected with the aircraft installation arose, which could only be sorted out by hard and long hours of concentrated effort. In view of the urgency of the priority allotted to the project, the need to overcome problems expeditiously, as they arose was very pressing and this MWO took upon himself more than his share of the work involved.

His example was an inspiration to others working with him. The type of work involved in the Reheat project had not been attempted before in the country and it is very creditable that this MWO without any prior training adapted himself to the requirements of the task.

The MWO always put Service before self and has made a significant contribution to the Orpheus Reheat Project. Master Warrant Officer Viswanath Dattatraya Walwadikar apart from showing professional skill of a high order has also displayed exceptional devotion, to duty and work in the best traditions the Indian Air Force.

209191 Flight Sergeant Kuttikattu Mathai Verghese, Inst. Rep. 1 was posted to the Gas Turbine Research Establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation in November, 1962. From the very beginning he was intimately associated with the Orpheus Reheat Project of the GTRE. He was detailed to work in the Test Bed, where the static bench development trials of the Reheat systems commenced early in 1963. He made valuable contributions towards develop ment of the electrical and instrumentation systems for Reheat operation as well as for development testing. He accepted all task allotted to him very cheerfully and carried them out with efficiency and most effectively under all conditions of stress and strain which were inevitable in an equipment oriented projected like the Orpheus Reheat develop ment and which was required on high priority for the HF-24. He was also associated with the task of installation of engines in the prototype aircraft and the development of the Reheat electrical system in the aircraft. He made significant contributions to the various certification tests successfully carried out on the Reheat system over the last few years, such as 24 hrs flight clearance test with limited reheat, 24 hrs flight clearance test with design reheat and the 150 hrs development test conducted to a schedule similar to that required for production clearance of the system. In all the work that he undertook, he showed exemplary devotion to duty and technical competence of an exceptional order. The type of work involved in the Reheat project had not been attempted before in the country and it very creditable that this Senior NCO without any prior training adapted himself to the requirement of the task.

Apart from acquiring and utilizing a thorough knowledge of his trade aspect of the task, he also built up a knowledge of other systems of the Reheat engine outside the requirement of the trade. On many occasions, because of his deep insight into problem, he was able to help the development programme in its entirety.

Flight Sergeant Kuttikattu Mathai Verghese contributed significantly to the Orpheus Reheat Project and his devotion to duty and efficiency with which he carried out his technical assignments were in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

Master Warrant Officer Sant Kumar was enrolled in the IAF in Jul 50. A tradesman of very high caliber, he was trade testing examiner for two years. Since 1978, he has been on deputation to Gas Turbine Research Establishment.

When MWO Sant Kumar joined the Establishment he had no previous experience in the very specialized field of fabricating experimental combustion chambers. However, by sheer hard work and with admirable determination MWO was able to meet the challenges most effectively. Under his guidance and supervision the number of these experimental combustion chambers were produced, all of which met the design requirements completely.

In his second major commitment of setting up electroplating facilities, he was responsible for advising the manufacturers of electroplating equipment regarding modification which are required for the equipment supplied by them, so that these could be satisfactorily integrated to form a comprehensive system. He was responsible for design and lay out of this facility and also the satisfactory installation, commissioning and utilization of the equipment supplied.

For his professional competence, qualities of leadership and devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award VISHISHT SEVA MEDAL to Master Warrant Officer Sant Kumar.