I got to see through this website by chance….
and am glad to know that Canberra’s are still remembered.

I served IAF as ann Airman, Engine Technician qualified on Canberra’s major servicing/Ground runing..etc. Rapiers was my first stint, though I worked on Mig-BIS earlier. Lot of moving around the country on TD’s were experince. I then served 106 (Lynx) Agra Canberra SR ac, then I had to go to 6Wing, Barrackpore on extreme Compassionate ground before I left in October 2000, due to a crisis in the family.

So here is a brief,,, can I interact and join your community Aman??

Let me..

Cheers!!

Sudipto

I am one of Pete Wilson’s sons and would be happy to contribute to your project for any non-flying aspects that may relate to my father. I spent a large part of my growing up years in Dehra Dun, Agra, Kalaikunda, Gorakhpur and Jamnagar and was quite aware of the activities on two of those stations during the ‘65 and ’71 wars with Pakistan. As a ten-year-old child the Kalaikunda experience was unnerving in the extreme as the PAF caught the IAF with its pants down. I vividly remember the terrible noise, the loss of so many aircraft and much more tragically, the loss of good men and their tragically bereft young families. In contrast, for a sixteen year old in Jamnagar, the ‘71 experience was a huge blast – excuse the grisly pun. From my very narrow perspective, it seemed that in those six years the IAF had got its act together. All wars are terrible, especially those between people who largely share the same language, history, genetics and religion.

My father turned 80 in November. He is in very good shape and has a mind as sharp as a razor. Even though he has all the appearances of a respectable and somewhat reserved Englishman, he is still deeply rooted in India. My mother and father left India because they wanted to be with their children. However, they have never stopped loving India and not a day goes by without them pining for it in some way.

I have always been aware of just what a great person and pilot my father was, but it was always second hand. He never spoke about or glorified his flying, not even in the privacy of his home. It was the constant love, affection and dare I say, open adulation that accompanied him everywhere and spoke volumes about his abilities not just as a pilot, but also as a leader and friend.

Pete Wilson has more than 2000 hours on the Canberra and c. 5000 hours on all types – although I don’t think he ever did much flying on transport aircraft. He took an active part in operations in Kashmir (1948), reconnaissance over Tibet/China (50’s and 60’s), Congo (‘61-‘62), China (‘62) and the ‘65 and ‘71 wars with Pakistan. He joined the RIAF in 1946 and left the IAF in 1975.

Please let me know if I can help.

Kind regards

Ian

Even I am an Air Force brat. My father Wg. Cdr. Diptendu Dakshi (Retd.) was a Canberra navigator in the 1960s and flew extensively with the “Tuskers” squadron, among others. I recall we have a memento of the “Tuskers” at home. Besides, my father was also a member of the Canberra contingent, led by the legendary Pete Wilson, sent to Congo under UN auspices in the 1960s.

I too have fond memories of the Canberra of No. 35 Squadron “Rapiers”, as a kid in AFS Bareilly 1979-1982.

I’m sure my old man would love to refresh his memory and share some wonderful stories for your project. Dad has long since retired and lives in Lucknow.

Please do send me an e-mail if you are interested.

arijit_dakshi@indiatimes.com

Even I am an Air Force brat. My father Wg. Cdr. Diptendu Dakshi (Retd.) was a Canberra navigator in the 1960s and flew extensively with the “Tuskers” squadron, among others. I recall we have a memento of the “Tuskers” at home. Besides, my father was also a member of the Canberra contingent, led by the legendary Pete Wilson, sent to Congo under UN auspices in the 1960s.

I too have fond memories of the Canberra of No. 35 Squadron “Rapiers”, as a kid in AFS Bareilly
1979-1982.

I’m sure my old man would love to refresh his memory and share some wonderful stories for your project. Dad has long since retired and lives in Lucknow.

Please do send me an e-mail if you are interested.

arijit_dakshi@indiatimes.com

First off I’d like to say what a fantastic web site! Very informative. I was hoping some one out there could help me with a modelling project I’d like to do, this is the RB.57 VT-EEM operated by the National Remote Sensing Agency, Secundrabad, June 1976-1980. I have never seen or found a photograph of this aircraft at the time it was flying with the organisation. Any help would be most appreciated.

John Sheehan
England

This is in reference to one of the commentators - Niteesh Krishnamurti -.

If you could kindly forward my contact details. I’ll appreciate that.

********
Are you the Niteesh, who went to Bishop’s Pune for few years and lived at Juhu.

Please get in touch -

Hiten Vasa
e-mail : hiten@caliphar.com

********

Like you I am also an IAF Brat, my dad Sq. Ldr. V Krishnamurti, did fly the Canberra extensively, in fact he trained in the UK for this aircraft & ferried 2 aircraft to India. Unfortunately he passed away a few months back so I can’t get any stories from him to pass on. What I will do is look for pictures of the Canberra & the crew & pass them on to you.
I am also a qualified pilot & my present Chief Pilot is a Canberra veteran, Gp. Capt. S C (Chris) Fernandes. I will get him to add something for your book.

All the best,

Niteesh

can you pl help with all the info and names, phs, emails of all those associated with Canberras as i am doing a story on its golden jubilee
contact me