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Welcome to the IAF Canberra blog. The intent is to use this blog as a collaborative tool – to collect, present and chat about the Canberra in Indian Air Force service. It is hoped that there will be a book in the near feature that will be built through these interactions. This book is being written by Anandeep Pannu and Jagan Pillaraseti.
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The English Electric Canberra in IAF Service 
Barry
I was wondering if you could help me as I am looking for pictures of IAF Canberra for a new profile book I am working on for Canberra’s in Worldwide Service.
The book is almost complete and would be happy to supply you with a credit and copy if you could help.
Kind regards
Gary
Comment by Gary Madgwick— September 30, 2006 #
Gary,
I have a bunch of pictures – but they are copyright other people. If you just need them for drawing profiles (as reference) I would be able to help you. A lot of these are previously unpublished.
Some of the scans are adequate for viewing but probably not for viewing.
Let me know what you would like to do.
Anandeep
Comment by iafcanberra— October 2, 2006 #
My Father, Wg Cdr J K Bhim-Rao was base commander in Agra in 1959. He went to England in 1957 for conversion on the Canberra, and loved flying this aircraft.
We had wonderful photos of this areoplane and pilots who flew them. I am sorry to say that they were destroyed in a house fire.
Comment by Mary J Bhim-Rao— October 25, 2006 #
Dear Amandeep,
I flew the Canberra in the IAF from 1960 to 1965 while serving in No.35 Squadron in Poona.I also flew two operational sorties from Agra during the 1965 war with Pakistan.The Canberra was a very fine aircraft that taught a young pilot the valuable skill to operate as a team along with the Navigator/Bomb aimer.After my stint with the Canberras I spent the next 29 years flying Boeing 707s and 747s.In retrospect I really matured as a flyer with this aircraft and I cherish many fond memories of high-low-high sorties culminating at crack of dawn over Sarmat or Babina bombing ranges!I have very few photographs from those days and had to miss the IAf 50th. celebrations and also Walter Marshals get together since I now live in San Francisco in retirement and it is a long way back to Poona.
Comment by Anindyo(bobby)Chatterjee— November 18, 2006 #
Dear Sir,
I may have flown with you in AirIndia
Regards, Soman
Comment by CAPT A S SOMAN— June 29, 2012 #
Sir pl get in touch with me conyes@hotmail.com. We are planning a reunion on 8 Dec at Pune
Comment by Gp Capt CA Dalton— July 1, 2012 #
The id is conyess@hotmail.com
Comment by Gp Capt CA Dalton— July 1, 2012 #
Dear Amandeep
Hi I am an aviation freak, and collect al types of info on Indian Civil and military aviation.
I can help you with info and images from Delhi
Jagan is also known to me.I can help ypu publish the book
regards
Vijay seth
aviation photographer
Delhi
Comment by Vijay Seth— November 22, 2006 #
Dear Anandeep,
I need all the info and the names and emails or phones of all those associated with the Canberras a I am doing a story on thier Golden Jubilee
Can you kindly reach me at giggles26aug@yahoomail.com
Thanx
Comment by giggles— April 15, 2007 #
Dear Anandeep,
I need all the info and the names and emails or phones of all those associated with the Canberras a I am doing a story on thier Golden Jubilee
Can you kindly reach me at my email
Thanx
Comment by giggles— April 15, 2007 #
Hi Anandeep,
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
Comment by giggles— April 15, 2007 #
We are planning a reunion on 8 Dec at PUne. Pl get in touch on conyess@hotmail.com
Comment by Gp Capt CA Dalton— July 1, 2012 #
Hi All
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
Comment by John Sheehan— March 5, 2008 #
Hi Amandeep,
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
Comment by Dr. Arijit Dakshi— April 7, 2008 #
vinayak.seshadri@gmail.com
Son WG CDR n Seshadri
Ex canberras jbcu, 106, 5 sqn dad was an instructor on canberras with A2 and master green pls contact me I might have some pics in his old albumn.
Rgds
Vinayak
9513829392
Comment by vinayakseshadri— October 6, 2021 #
Hi,
My uncle, Flt. Lt. Seerala Hari Kumar, was part of the contingent that went to UK to get the first batch of Canberras. Unfortunately he died on 24 July 1957 in an aircrash at Bassingbourn,UK.
I would like to have any information on him as a person, as an officer and as a pilot from any of his colleagues.
Please send me whatever you know of him and the accident.
Thanks.
E. Devendar
Comment by E. Devendar— September 5, 2008 #
Hi Anandeep – Sree in Hyderabad here. Can you drop me a mail, at the address above – I have fortuitously bumped into a few Canberra veterans in the last few weeks, and have compiled a few anecdotes. Regards
Sree
Comment by Sree— December 22, 2008 #
Pl pass on the info to conyess@hotmail.com
Comment by Gp Capt CA Dalton— July 1, 2012 #
I was very interested to read your Canberra history and to wee that you were on 6 Squadron at Poone. I was on 6 Squadron RAF in the Midel east in 1954-6 and have been looking for a contact like you for our 6 Squadron Association. There was a 6 Iraq Squadron, but I guess they are not about any more. They had the next hangar to us at Habbaniya. It might be a nice exercise to get contact between all the 6 Squadrons out there!
Also I was at ETPS after you in 1964, and aftr a tour at the Blind Landing Experimental Unit I finished my RAF service as QFI on 98 Squadron (Canberra navaid and defence radar calibration).
Although now retired, ICAO has sent me on contract to India on several aeronautical studies recently (proposed constructions near aerdromes). Most have been at Mumbai but others at Bangalore, Hyderabad and Belgaum (electric wind generator farm near aerodrome!). There is another coming up soon but I do not yet know whether I will get it, I am now 76 and a bit over their maximum age limit.
I found your site when looking for the history of the Canberra nose-down runaway problem for a talk I am due to give to the local Historical Aircraft Association. When I was a Canberra QFI I used to know it, but after some 40 years memory is not what it was. I do remember having a momentary trim runaway and a long dispute with the Squadron Engineering officer over the wiring diagram – there was one relay, which if stuck closed would replicate the symptoms I had.
I also have somewhere the English Electric test report on the rudder system – problem there was that they instrumented the rudder but not the spring tab. Hence no one ever really understood just what was going on down the back end on one engine. I think the Canberra was the only aircraft to have the spring tab doubling as a trim tab.
Would very much appreciate contact with you to exchange news,
Robert Woodhouse
Comment by Robert Woodhouse— February 12, 2009 #
Hi Anandeep, I can give you some unofficial account of this aircraft during 71 ops. I gave this thing to Jagan (in sept. Oct 2006) but I think he did not believe it as I do not have any sort of solid proof of it. If you have a chance to look for yourself physically, you will know about it for sure that I am not wrong. Or the people of that Sqdn. and/or Wing (I can give you their names) acknowledge it themselves (which they will not). Can you put me in touch with Mr. Bobby Chatterjee, Ex-35 Sqdn. in San Francisco? I just live nearby him.
I will appreciate your reply in this matter Ramesh Madan IAF Vat.
Comment by Ramesh Madan— April 9, 2009 #
Hi Anandeep, Regarding you article about Supper Connies, is it TU-124 (I have worked on them in Com Sqdn at Palam, in 76 to 79) or TU_142 (as you have mentioned)?
Comment by Ramesh Madan— April 9, 2009 #
Interesting post!! Hope to come back again…
Comment by SooniaBof— May 20, 2009 #
Hi Anandeep
I am glad to browse through this website of my favourite aircraft. Keep it up and update with information as it comes in. I have lost you email address last year when i had to format my computer. Can you contact me at the above address.
Charles Stafrace
Comment by Charles Stafrace— September 1, 2010 #
I lost my brother, Squadron Leader Uday Soman on 12th April 1989 in a Canberra accident near Pune.
Comment by CAPT A S SOMAN— June 29, 2012 #
Pl get in touch with canberrabomber@hotmail.com with the id of Mrs Soman inconnection with the reunion on 8 Dec at Pune
Comment by Gp Capt CA Dalton— July 1, 2012 #
Dalton Sir,
Did Anjali Soman nee Modak attend the reunion?
Comment by jd— February 2, 2013 #
Hi Anandeep,
My uncle, Flt Lt Brian Wilson (7671), flew Canberras for No.16 Squadron. He was shot down over Agra on the 15 December 1971. I would appreciate it if you could pass on any information\pictures relating to him.
Thanks,
Chris Pears
Comment by Chris Pears— August 8, 2012 #
Chris I knew your uncle; he taught me to ride a motorcycle in Jamnagar in 1969.
He was shot down and killed over Dacca, Bangladesh in 1971, I met both his wife and mother in Calcutta in 1972. From what I have been told Brian made multiple passes over the target, making sure that his attack was as perfect as he could get it; this also meant that the anti-aircraft gunners could get a good idea of his speed and he was hit. I know that both, my father and his squadron commander; Wg. Cdr. P. Gautam thought very highly of his skill and courage.
I, unfortunately have no photographs of Brian but it is very possible that Wg. Cdr. Gautam’s widow may have squadron photographs in which he may be included. I know that his, Brian’s, widow and daughter now live in Australia as do Brian’s brothers and sister.
Comment by Mark Wilson— October 21, 2015 #
Dear Chris:
I see that it is over three years since your initial post above – I missed it, but saw Mark’s response yesterday.
I have some photographs of your uncle, the late Flt Lt Brian Wilson, sourced from Mrs Gautam, as Mark mentions above, the widow of his last CO. Please drop me a mail at ksk_history@yahoo.in and I will be happy t share them, as well as a couple of anecdotes from contemporaries in his last squadron.
Warm regards,
Sree
Comment by K S Nair— October 21, 2015 #
Hi Chris,
Dad was in the lead aircraft with Wg Co Gautam, the date was 15th Dec, and the mission was planned between 4:00-4:30pm. Brian Wilson & his Navigator RB Mehta were supposed to target Dhaka Cantonment between 4:20-4:30 pm. They never reported.
Mom and Dad still remember Brian Wilson and RB Mehta to this day.
Regards
Dabasis
dabasis@gmail.com
Comment by Dabasis— December 9, 2019 #
Hi Chris,
I was discussing your note with my dad, Gp Capt KK Dutta who was Nav leader during the war.
He remembers Brian affectionately. Remembers Brian as one of the pilots who accompanied them to Jamnagar for dropping a special bomb developed by the IAF. The junior most pilot (Brian) would travel using the Packet transport aircraft, the others would fly using the Canberra’s.
Brian’s daughter was born at Jodhpur then, and Dad remembers Brian being allowed (encouraged) by Takle (Wg Cdr Takle, Flight Commander) uncle to travel (by train) to Jodhpur, meet his wife and child, all on the quiet.
Mom remembers with sorrow, Flt Lt Brian wife’s & daughter, reaching Gorakpur on the 16th, the day after Brian’s death. Each person from the Sqd was at the station to receive them. It broke my heart listening to mom talk about this incident.
Regards
Dabasis
dabasis@gmail.com
Comment by Dabasis— December 13, 2019 #
I might have some of his pics in my dad’s album contact me vinayak.seshadri@gmail.com
Comment by vinayakseshadri— October 6, 2021 #
Dear all,
I am very interested in talking with any IAF Canberra veterans who have posted on here, or elsewhere. I am working on a book about the Canberra in worldwide service, and naturally the IAF experience will be covered. The book is primarily written in an ‘in their own words’ format, so I am looking for former air and ground crew men to interview for the book. All contributions in the form of photos and stories will be fully credited.
More details are available at: http://www.facebook.com/TheCanberraExperience
I see many of you here have posted information about similar projects or requests for information. Anything I uncover during this project that could be of interest to you, I will happily share.
Kind regards,
Steven Beeny
Comment by Steven Beeny— November 30, 2012 #
I am a big fan of IAF planes right from my teens, I was delighted to see the web site on Canberras.. Back in the 50s I use to take a bicycle to go to Hakimpet aerodrome in HYD to see planes land and take off (15 miles).. To my amazement Canberras were manufactured in US under License in Baltimore USA, in the 50s where I live now. They went by the name of B-57 Martin Bombers at Martin airport They used Armstrong Siddley Sapphire Engines instead of R/R engines besides General Dynamics engines.Canberra turned out to the the first Jet to fly across Atlantic nonstop to US without refueling and was selected in place of x-51 in USAF as part of Bombar squadrons.
Anil fatterpaiker
Comment by Anil fatterpaker— January 24, 2015 #
Hi
My dad flew for No. 16 Sqn and JBCU he was an instructor on PR 7,8 Canberra’s in Agara. He was also involved in 65 n 71 ops deep penetration bombing. He then joined Air India he feel 707, 310, 747-200,300 as a check pilot n instructor then he joined Deccan and Kingfisher. Now retired at Bangalore. I do remember the following students of his
Pannu panjrath sekhon randhawa Joshi buphinder Singh Sandhi Sethi sehgal.
I was a boy my dad also went on deputation to Iraq.
I have a bunch of pictures of Canberra’s I also paint aircraft pics. Contact me on vinayak.seshadri@gmail.com
Regards
Vinayak urf Chottu
Comment by Vinayak Seshadri— February 13, 2017 #
Dear All, We have Air Vice Marshal SN Deshpande,F(N) Vir Chakra , here in Pune. He flew extensively on the Canberra during Ops in 65 & 71. Have you contacted him ? Do let me know .Would be happy to get him in touch with you people. He is not on e mail & interactions would be on telephone only.He was my Sqn Cdr & Stn Cdr as well. Thank you,Wg Cdr JJ DeshmukhPune 020-25561912 From: The English Electric Canberra in IAF Service To: afaccmb@yahoo.com Sent: Monday, February 13, 2017 7:04 PM Subject: [New comment] About #yiv3201340831 a:hover {color:red;}#yiv3201340831 a {text-decoration:none;color:#0088cc;}#yiv3201340831 a.yiv3201340831primaryactionlink:link, #yiv3201340831 a.yiv3201340831primaryactionlink:visited {background-color:#2585B2;color:#fff;}#yiv3201340831 a.yiv3201340831primaryactionlink:hover, #yiv3201340831 a.yiv3201340831primaryactionlink:active {background-color:#11729E;color:#fff;}#yiv3201340831 WordPress.com Vinayak Seshadri commented: “HiMy dad flew for No. 16 Sqn and JBCU he was an instructor on PR 7,8 Canberra’s in Agara. He was also involved in 65 n 71 ops deep penetration bombing. He then joined Air India he feel 707, 310, 747-200,300 as a check pilot n instructor then he joined ” | |
Comment by afaccmb@yahoo.com— February 13, 2017 #