IAF displays India’s first indigenous aircraft restored HT-2 for first time, performs aerobatics during 93rd Air Force Day celebrations
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
On Wednesday in Ghaziabad, the Indian Air Force brought its restored Hindustan Trainer‑2 (HT‑2) to the skies for the first time on public display. The aircraft, part of the IAF’s Heritage Flight, joined other vintage planes in a fly‑past that celebrated Air Force Day.
The HT‑2 is a landmark of Indian aviation. Built domestically, it earned the nickname “India’s first indigenous trainer.” From the 1950s until 1989, every IAF pilot earned basic flight training on this aircraft. Now, the Heritage Flight keeps that legacy alive by flying the HT‑2, the Tiger‑Moth and the Harvard over parade grounds and during shows.
During the ceremony, Wing Commander NBS Reddy piloted the HT‑2 while Wing Commander AK Singh flew the Tiger‑Moth. The duo performed a mid‑air figure‑eight, then turned in to create a dramatic Heritage Cross. Another classic, the Harvard, spun a full 360‑degree turn above the crowd. Introduced to the Heritage Flight in 2015, the Harvard was a frontline trainer during the 1930s and 1940s, earning a reputation as one of the era’s most advanced aircraft.
India’s IAF Heritage Flight debuted in 1982 with a Spitfire, Harvard, and Tiger‑Moth. Operations paused in 1989 but revived in 2012 in its current base at Hindon. Today, the flight showcases the HT‑2, Tiger‑Moth, Harvard, Dakota and other vintage types, enthralling spectators each year at Air Force Day, Republic Day, Aero India and other key events.
Adding to the nostalgia, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh displayed a 1967 Ford Saloon car in the Air Force Day parade at Hindon. The black‑cream sedan, introduced to the IAF in 1969, had borne Air Chief Marshals PC Lal, NC Suri and others. President‑grade travelers used the car until 1992, and it now sits in the Air Force Museum in Palam.
The Heritage Flight and its accompanying displays remind India of the early days of its air power, showing how a century of aviation history continues to inspire new generations of pilots.
Source: aninews
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