Canberra, IF-906 was the first aircraft of its kind to be inducted into the Indian Air Force. Wing Commander S K Mathur (BSqn/75 course/NDA) flew the aircraft for the last time from Agra to Pune on May 25. First brought to Lohegaon, the aircraft was put on display on the NDA campus, after an inaugural ceremony, on Monday.

NDA commandant Air Marshal TS Randhawa who inaugurated the aircraft relived his memories of seeing it in action. “The aircraft which is British in origin was inducted into the Indian Air Force in 1957 and has seen many wars and peace-keeping operations during its tenure,” he said.

The aircraft which was operated by the 5, 16, 35 and 106 squadrons of the IAF was the first Indian bomber to be used in UN peace keeping operations in Congo in 1961 and has also participated in the wars involving India in 1962, 1965, 1971 and the Kargil operations. Known for its agility to ‘get in high with speed and get out fast after weapon delivery’, the aircraft was extensively used for deep penetration and punishing missions against the enemies, in the the 1965 and 1971 wars.“Though its heavy-built looks convey otherwise, the aircraft can do flexible manoeuvres, which has often surprised enemies,” said Randhawa. “During the 1971 war with Pakistan, the adversaries had shifted their aircraft to Peshawar to prevent Indian troops from attacking them. However, the Canberra was successful in reaching Peshawar and destroying not just the runways but also bombing some planes as well. They were forced to evacuate their planes outside Pakistan,” recalled the commandant.

Many IAF pilots undertook some of the missions against the enemy, which also earned them gallantry awards, and for some the experience of operating the aircraft was ‘unforgettable’. Squadron Leader N Manish who had flown the aircraft from Agra to places like Guwahati,Jamnagar and Hyderabad, through 2004-2005 described the aircraft as a ‘pure flying pleasure’.

“The Canberra is the most stable and aerodynamically crafted aircraft, which can operate fast in both high and low altitudes at the highest speed,” he added.