A Tribute to Canberras
Somebody put in my name in the list by mistake when
the Canberra family came together as ‘Canberra Association’. I say “by mistake”
because despite having been with 6 Squadron for five years, neither had I flown
nor had an opportunity to put my spanner on that splendid machine called
‘Canberra’. I was a Superconnie Flt Signaller and also the EO during later part
of my stay when some of the stalwarts left a void. I had got closest to Canberras
on a stormy night when summoned from a social evening for Two-Six operation to
separate three aircraft that had bumped sideways into each other on tarmac.
The inadvertent entry into the elite family came as
a blessing and enabled me to maintain a listening watch like a true Flt
Signaller. I decided to remain hidden and be on the mailing list to keep
getting news about friends and some of the heroes of my younger days. The long mailing
list that it is, one could hope to remain hidden forever. But, Canberra crew are hawk-eyed. I was
spotted and reported to Gp Capt Conrad Dalton. On getting to know about facts, despite my submissions to leave me out, he awarded me compensation for
anonymity - to become a visible member of the family!
And, I reported..
My tryst with Canberras began in 1975. As a young
Flying Officer, I had brought an Engine Change party from Jodhpur to retrieve
our Marut stuck at Pune on way from HAL Bangalore. I lived those three days
with 6 Sqn ‘Bravo’ Flt, where parked at the end of mighty Canberras our lovely
Marut looked diminutive. A massive line up of elegant Super Connies on the
other side made that tarmac one of the most attractive sights in the Air Force.
Little did I know that I was destined to be a part
of that set up barely two years later. Turning into a part time aircrew after
the Flt Signallers’ Course steered me to the prestigious 6 Sqn in 1977, where
at Pune we also had Canberras from 35 Sqn for company. By then, the magnificent
line up of ‘Alfa’ Flt of Super Connies had declined to a modest strength of only
two aircraft on tarmac; and scotch from UK had given way to coconuts from
Carnicobar. Besides Carnic couriers and transport support to sister squadrons
on base, we carried out special ops like bringing Santa Clause from the heavens
on Christmas Eve. Yet, Super Connies were absolutely delightful to fly - technologically
superb and an unmatched sight at night with four engines, each emitting three
blue flames from the Pressure Recovery Turbines.
In contrast with the shrunk line up of
Super Connies, the Canberras’ became more impressive and even colourful with
the addition of the target towing ‘C’ flight to 6 Sqn. Canberras gave us the
purpose and a connect with combat. We were now predominantly known for Canberras,
‘A’ and ‘B’ flights only sometimes operating together at Carnic. In spite of
being with ‘A’ Flt, the benefit of a significantly high Sqn average age &
experience came to me as I got an opportunity for air crew sea rescue training
exercises at Mumbai along with the Canberra crew.
The Commanding officers had changed over from Super Connies to Canberra type. I had the privilege of being with three illustrious
COs, beginning with the dynamic Wg Cdr HS Ghuman. With the CO taking a liking
to fly Super Connies, I recall a veteran Flt Engr Warrant Officer observing
that Super Connies had begun to land like Canberras, nose wheel held up high
for long on the landing run.
The Sqn had proud moments under the impeccable leadership
of Wg Cdr D Banerjee - we were honoured with President’s Colours. And later, WG
Cdr DR Asher’s Happy Warrior leadership made us self driven to achieve. It was a
shock to learn about his loss after I had left the Sqn.
For my wife, Neelima, 6 Sqn was the entry into Air
Force family. Besides the COs and 1st ladies, we both carried fond
memories of many who we looked up to and whose examples kept us motivated
through the years in the Air Force.
Proud to be a part of Canberra family!!
