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ACIG Exclusives
Chapter 11 : 748 Operations |
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| The TTW at AFS Yelahanka, historically operated many HAL/HS-748 medium-transport aircraft for training but these have mostly been replaced by An-32s. Amongst a force dominated by aircraft of Russian origin, the 'Western'-looking 748 has always been an intriguing aircraft. If this wasn't enough, taking a peek out of the airliner window at Banglore city's HAL Airport, sometime in the 80s, and spotting a 748 modified as an AWACS should have been truly spellbinding. This is why the non-appearance of the single remaining avionics testbed, 'The Hack' (second modification of H-2176), was one of the show's critical shortcomings and disappointments, especially in consideration of previous years, where either the ASP/AWACS (H-2175, first modification of H-2176) or Hack variants, always participated. As I recall, the Hack also put on an extremely impressive flying display and shockingly low altitude passes. None of that was to be seen this year. | |
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The heat distortion is not going to deter any notice of this HAL 748-2M transport (H-2374) that has just arrived. The airshow period makes Yelahanka the center of operations for aircraft from all over the country and the operating unit of this example, remains unclear . |
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One of the squadrons currently operating the type, No.11, is also called 'Rhino', the singular form not to be confused with No.30 'Rhinos'. The Pegasus Air HQ communication squadron also operates 748s but these are being replaced by the Embraer Legacy. |
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H-2374 seems to be another example of a flogged and grimy aircraft. Although greatly outnumbered by An-32s, one can still see several of these aircraft operating at a time, from every major airbase. |
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HAL is currently upgrading the IAF's 748 fleet. It includes new avionics include the RAM1701-A radar altimeter, GPS and so on, besides increased safety and reliability. HAL also has a detachment in this airbase, to support the An-32s and 748s. |
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H-2374 is a heavier 748-2M freighter variant with a minimum number of windows, increased fuel capacity (300 liters extra for about 1 hour of added endurance) and a large cargo door on the port side. This example among other freighter variants, was from the last batch ordered by the IAF in 1972. |
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'H-2364 parks next to an An-32 (K-2750) which had arrived earlier. Although a successor to the former was being talked about in the 70s, both these magnificent aircraft will continue to serve on until the HAL MTA arrives much later. |
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It's not quite the 'Hack' LCA-avionics testbed that everyone had eagerly and wrongly anticipated but it will have to do for this session. Incidentally, the testbed aircraft are/were also 748-2M freighter variants, chosen for the payload capacity and endurance. |
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An An-32 (K-2691) and a single 748-218 (H-1177) on the other side of the runway are barely visible through the heat distortion. There were a bunch of An-32s on this side already but why can't the 748 be brought here too? |
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Wish granted! The canopy and engine covers removed, H-1177 is finally towed out by an IAF towing tractor and is being brought nearer. This example also appears to be configured for the commuter / Executive transport role. |
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H-1177 is towed to a parking space near the ATC complex. An Mi-8 from the Air HQ communication squadron is already there. Most of the HAL 748s from the first batch delivered to the IAF, were for VIP / Executive transport and configured accordingly. |
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The An-32 (K-2691) however, remained static in the same location for all days. The irritating heat distortion was the photographer's worst enemy during Aero India. |
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An-32 (K-2750) arrived way before the HAL 748 did. Appearances of the latter were somewhat rare in comparison to the frequency of An-32 appearances and operations. |
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K-2750 parks at the usual location and disembarks some crew. |
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A filler if there ever was one, the modernized Thorp-T211 (N6524V) should put off anyone who expected more of the large and rare IAF jets on the main static display lineup instead. |
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IndUS Aviation are an American company, started by an Indian immigrant, hoping to promote and eventually manufacture the Thorp-T211 as the 'Sport E' in India and elsewhere. |
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