Sunday, January 16, 2011

the costal defence flights during WW2




No.1 Coastal Defence Flight
Also requisitioned and impressed into service was the Armstrong Whitworth Atlanta G-ABTL from the Imperial Airways. The Atlanta "Astrea" was numbered DG450 and saw service with the No.1 Indian Coastal Defence Flight. This crashed on 22 Aug 1942 killing Fg Offr Patwardhan and two others.Click to Enlarge in New Window
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No.2 Coastal Defence Flight, Santa Cruz
No.2 CDF's Westland Wapitis K-1394, K-1403 and K-2290 seen at Juhu Aerodrome in 1940. The Last aircraft crashed at Bangalore on 15 July 42.
Wapiti formation of No.2 CDF over Bombay.  Photo courtesy : Wg Cdr M M Russell
No.3 Coastal Defence Flight, Bassien
Ground Crew work on a Blienheim of No.3 Coastal Defence Flight. One of the three Blienheims in this flight was lost in a Japanese air raid.
Also requisitioned and impressed into service was the Armstrong Whitworth Atlanta G-ABTL from the Imperial Airways. The Atlanta "Aurora" was numbered DG454 with 3 CDF. It crashed in the Sunderbans on 6 Apr 42.Click to Enlarge in New Window
No.3 Coastal Defence Flight, Bassien
Wapitis K-1271 and K-1266 during their time with No.60 RAF Squadron. These aircraft subsequently went to No.4 CDF.
No.5 Coastal Defence Flight, Cochin
An RAF and an Indian Pilot with a DH-86 HX-789 (formerly VT-AKM) which was taken on charge by No.5 CD Flight , IAFVR.  This aircraft was involved in a landing accident on 15.09.42 and was written off.
The same DH-86 HX-789 (formerly VT-AKM) of 5CDF as seen at Cochin.
No.6 Coastal Defence Flight, Karachi
Wapiti K-2294 of 6CDF undergoes testing of its engine. Note the aircrew hanging on to the tail to keep the aircraft from nosing over at full power. .Photo courtesy : Air Force History Cell
Flt Lt Rupchand (2nd from Right) with Plt Offrs KL Sondhi (2nd from Left) PC Lal (first from right) before a sortie at Karachi.-
Flt Lt Rupchand (2nd fro Left) finishing the pre-flight briefings before a Wapiti Sortie.
A Hawker Audax of a CDF, Possibly the 6th
-new.gif (147 bytes)Westland Wapiti J9496 after a ground collission with Audax “K556?".This sad picture shows the fate of Wapiti II J9496 of No.1 Anti Aircraft Cooperation Flight of the IAFVR at Drigh Road, Karachi. On 20th May 1942, the Wapiti , while taxying downwind in strong wind collided with a stationary Audax K5569 of No.6 Coastal Defence Flight, IAFVR. Both aircraft were struck off charge.
RAF 27 Squadron at St Thomas Mount.
A Blenheim of 60 RAF Squadron seen with Wapitis of No.27 RAF Squadron at St Thomas Mount in Madras.
Bristol Blenheim I L-8382 at St Thomas Mount in Madras., showing the 'AD' squadron codes.
Coolie power is employed to drag a bogged down Blenheim at St Thomas Mount airfield at Madras.
Blenheim L-4916 in July 1940 at Dum Dum airfield

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