SOURCE: AFI
The Heritage Flight, originally named the Vintage Aircraft Flight, was founded in April 1988 at the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Air Force Station Palam. This unique unit was established to honor the legacy of historical aircraft that once served the IAF and to offer a living tribute to India’s rich aviation heritage. Renamed the Heritage Flight (HF) in 2020, this unit allows both the IAF and the public to connect with the storied history of military aviation in India.
Heritage Flight has evolved over the years, focusing on the restoration and operation of iconic aircraft that once played significant roles in IAF operations. These vintage aircraft are meticulously preserved and occasionally flown to showcase the IAF’s journey from its inception to its current state.
Currently, the Heritage Flight operates three notable aircraft:
Dakota: The Douglas C-47 Dakota, inducted into Heritage Flight in 2018, is a legendary transport aircraft. Known for its reliability and versatility, the Dakota played a critical role during the Kashmir conflict in 1947-48 and other significant IAF operations.
Tiger Moth: Refurbished and inducted into the Heritage Flight in 2012, the de Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth was a training aircraft for the IAF, dating back to its early years. The biplane is an iconic representation of aviation history and training regimes from the World War II era.
Harvard: Inducted into the Heritage Flight in 2015, the North American Harvard was another essential training aircraft for the IAF, with a storied career as a trainer for fighter pilots. Known for its durability and maneuverability, the Harvard played a key role in training numerous IAF pilots.
In line with its mission to preserve and display aviation heritage, the Heritage Flight plans to induct two additional aircraft in the near future:
Hindustan Trainer 2 (HT-2): The HT-2 was the first primary training aircraft designed and manufactured in India, a significant milestone for Indian aviation. Its addition to the Heritage Flight would commemorate India’s self-reliance in aviation and honor the domestic engineering that continues to drive the IAF forward.
Supermarine Spitfire: The iconic British fighter aircraft of World War II, the Spitfire was operated by the IAF post-independence and remains a symbol of aerial prowess. Its induction into Heritage Flight will be a tribute to the IAF pilots who flew it in early missions, representing the era of piston-engined fighters that laid the groundwork for India’s air defense capabilities.
Heritage Flight serves as a living museum, showcasing the evolution of the IAF’s operational capabilities through the ages. It connects modern generations with the roots of India’s military aviation, allowing them to witness the engineering marvels of yesteryears that contributed to the defense of the nation. By preserving and displaying these historic aircraft, Heritage Flight ensures that the legacy of the IAF remains vivid and inspiring.