The two stamps of 15nP and 90np on the first day covers
depict the two aircraft that formed the backbone of the Air Force during their
time. The Wapiti and the Hawker Hunter.The Indian Air Force was officially
established on 8 October 1932.Its first
ac flight came into being on 01 Apr 1933. It possessed a strength of six RAF-trained officers and 19 Havai
Sepoys (literally, air soldiers). The aircraft
inventory comprised of four Westland
Wapiti IIA army co-operation biplanes at Drigh Road as the "A"
Flight nucleus of the planned No.1 (Army Co- operation) Squadron.
India arranged for Hunters to be purchased in 1954 as a part
of a wider arms deal with Britain, placing an order for 140 Hunter single-seat
fighters; simultaneous to an announcement by Pakistan of its own purchase of
several North American F-86 Sabre jet fighters. The Indian Air Force (IAF) was
the first to operate the Hunter T.66 trainers, placing an initial order in
1957; the more powerful engine was considered beneficial in a hot environment,
allowing for greater takeoff weights. The Hunter’s played a significant part in
the subsequent wars with Pakistan. The most notable being the air ops in the
desert in 1971.
From small beginnings the Indian Air Force has now grown
into a modern Service of which the nation is rightly proud. Its Silver Jubilee was observed on 30.4.1958
.
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