Citizen Matters, Bangalore: Flying high in Bangalore

Wed, 23 May

HISTORY OF AVIATION

Flying high in Bangalore

Thanks to industrialist Walchand Hirachand’s initiatives in the 40s in Bangalore, India is one of the foremost in the maintenance and development of military aircrafts today.

By Poornima Dasharathi

17 Mar 2009, Citizen Matters

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Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), originally called Hindustan Aircraft, was set up in 1940, the brainchild of industrialist Walchand Hirachand. He was given the necessary land and permission by the Mysore Kingdom. Thus, Bangalore became the seat of aviation for our country. It served the Royal Air Force and during World War II the factory was used for overhauling and maintenance of the Allied aircrafts. Post Independence, it was officially handed over to the Indian government and became HAL.

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4 Comments

[01 AM, 24 Mar 2009] raj chandra.r

Walchand's foray in to Aircraft Industry was kindled by a chance meeting with Mr.Pawley. President of Inter-continent Corporation of New York who was traveling in the same plane from San-Francisco in 1939 and Mr. Pawley had already put up a Air raft factory in China in association with Cutis Wright.

But sadly for Walchand his own Scindia Company turned down his proposal. Though he wrote to Maharaja of Baroda, Gwalior, Bhavangar and Mysore for help, only Maharaja of Mysore responded positively. Mysore Kingdom subscribed to shares worth 25 lakhs, gave 700 acres of land free and supplied water and Power at concessional rates (Proceedings of the Government of His Highness the Maharaja of Mysore: order no. D 3663-372/10C, 216-40-16: February 11, 1941). H.H. Jaya Chamaraja Wadiyar - just 22 years of age was the Maharaja at that time.

[01 AM, 24 Mar 2009] raj chandra.r

On 23-12-1940, "The Hindustan Aircraft Company" was duly registered under the Mysore Companies Act and the Companies first Directors were Mr. Walchand Hirachand ( chairman), Tulsidas Kilachand, Dharmsay Mulraj Khatau, A.N. Raghavachar & M.Venkatanaranappa ( Mysore State nominees). Its managing Agency was Walchand-Tulsidas-Khatau Ltd. Mr. Lalchand Hirachand was the Resident Editor of this agency.

Work on the factory began 24-12-1940. It received the first order by the Indian Government for 74 long range Vultee Attack Bombers, 48 curtis Hawk Fighters, 30 Harlow PC-5 Trainers to be completed by 1942 ! The First plane to be handed over was a Harlow Trainer on 29-8-1941.

[01 AM, 24 Mar 2009] raj chandra.r

But due to the ascendancy of Japan during the world war and the war threat looming large on Indian Shores, Indian government decided to buy the shares of Mysore Government and other share holders. Walchand group was purchased by paying 25 Lakhs by April 1942. But Maharaja did not wish to sell the Company but agreed to agreed to give free hand to the Indian Government to run the Company in the crucial war years. Thus walchand had a brief period of 1 year and a quarter in the history of the Company. It was only after India became a Republic, Mysore relinquished its shares to the Republic.

[10 AM, 24 Mar 2009] Poornima Dasharathi

All this and more is on display at HAL Aerospace museum. Its a must visit for aviation enthusiasts. Go, have a look.

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