Indian Air Force (IAF) History
This is the story of the IAF's 1st heavy bomber & the indigenous jugaad (a flexible approach to problem-solving that uses limited resources in an innovative way) that helped the IAF develop this capability. The need for a Heavy Bomber was 1st felt in mid-1948, when it was decided to raise a training squadron by Oct 48, an operational squadron by Jan 49 & a 2nd operational squadron by Feb 50.
A decision was taken to recover the ex-USAAF & RAF B-24 Liberator bombers abandoned at airfields in India. The 4-engined bomber required a crew of 8-10, had a maximum speed of 290 mph & a range of 2100 miles. The armament included a bomb load of up to 5000 lbs & 10 x .50 cal Browning MGs.
The 'Libby' had made its Indian debut in Nov 42, with the USAAF's 160th Squadron. Soon upgraded with the ASV MKV radar, it began maritime patrols in the area of Rangoon- Bangkok-Andamans. By 1945, there were as many as 10 squadrons in-theatre, besides the 252 (Tpt) Liberator Squadron in Delhi.
After WWII, nearly 100 of these surplus B-24s had found their way to Chakeri, Kanpur. A small team from the IAF & HAL carried out a prelim survey & within a year, over 45 Libbies were sent for repairs. The 1st batch of 6 refurbished Libbies landed at Palam in Nov 48.
From 1947 to 1956, HAL would recover approximate 40 Libbies, including two C-87 freighter variants. On 02 Nov 48, the IAF raised its first Heavy Bomber squadron with the first batch of 6 Libbies. Raised at Kanpur, No 5 Sqn "Tuskers" soon led to Nos 6 & 16 Squadrons also converting to the type.
The two freighters (HE712 & 843) were operated by the IAF's 102 Survey Flite which also flew the C-47 Dakota. On Jun 53, HE712 was to fly over the Everest massif on a photo mission. In Oct 57, the Flt upgraded to Squadron status & moved to Barrackpore, merging with 106 Special Recce Unit.
The last Libbie was withdrawn from service in Jan 69. Given the aircraft's history, some soon found homes across the world. HE733 joined other Warbirds at Rockcliffe near Ottawa, HE777 at the Tuscon Air Museum & HE807 at the RAF Museum. HE924 stayed on at the IAF Museum.