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Remembering Suranjan Das, master IAF test pilot who flew maiden sortie of 1st indigenous fighter

On his 53rd death anniversary, ThePrint looks back at the life and service of Group Captain Das, synonymous with Indian Air Force and its fighter incorporations between 1950-1970.

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New Delhi: As the Indian Air Force (IAF) took wings in the post-Independence era, Group Captain Suranjan Das became synonymous with any bomber, fighter and trainer incorporated by the IAF between 1950 until his unfortunate death in 1970. He was one of the first two experimental test pilots of the IAF.

Born in Calcutta in 1920, Das graduated in physics from St Xavier’s College. His father, Sudhi Ranjan Das was the fifth Chief Justice of India.

Though his journey with the air force began in North America, Das trained in Canada as part of the 19th course of the IAF in 1943. He was commissioned into service upon his return to India in June 1945.

According to Anchit Gupta, IAF chronicler and investor: “He (Suranjan Das) earned his operational spurs with the 8 Squadron.”

Das’ central contribution to the IAF was in the process leading to the acquisition of fighters — especially in flight-testing.

He took the maiden sortie of the HF-24 Marut, India’s first indigenously-developed fighter — for which he was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM).

Suranjan Das flying the armed Gnat in company with Flt Lt Oliver | Photo via special arrangement

Das’ son Sudipto told ThePrint: “Dad’s service to the country fills us all with pride. However, he loved life outside work too.” From visiting wildlife parks and photography to cooking, Sudipto recalled his father as having a “zest for life”.

On his 53rd death anniversary, ThePrint looks back on Suranjan Das’ life.


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Testing, analysing and assessing multiple aircraft

In 1958, Das was appointed the commanding officer at the Aircraft and Armament Testing Unit (A&ATU) at Kanpur, the main testing centre of the IAF. Here, he played a central role in the incorporation of the Folland Gnat — a subsonic fighter aircraft.

“Beyond the tests, dad also intently followed flight design concepts, and this allowed him to make pivotal contributions through the course of different aircraft incorporation programmes,” recalled Sudipto.

“Dad was also the first Indian to fly a fighter at the Farnborough Airshow — the Gnat itself,” he added.

However, even before 1958, Das had started to play a pivotal role in aircraft incorporation in India.

Deputed to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in 1951, Das played an integral role in the experimental testing of the HT-2.

“Das flew the machine to its limits to ensure that it was safe enough for trainees to fly and even had to bail out from the HT-2 when it did not recover from a spin during the trials, joining the caterpillar club,” wrote Gupta.

In 1961, Das was appointed Chief Test Pilot at HAL. Today the road from HAL to Old Madras Road in Bengaluru is named after him.

Further, through his time at the IAF, Das also played a pivotal role in the acquisition of multiple aircraft like the Canberra, the Hunter and the Mystere. Specifically, Suranjan Das was the first test-flyer on all evaluations for these aircraft, added Gupta.

HF-24 Marut & golden time for Indian aviation

Das’ time at HAL coincided with the development of the HF-24 Marut, India’s first domestically-made fighter bomber.

“That was a golden era for Indian aviation — when the HF-24 Marut and HJT-16 Kiran were designed and manufactured,” said Sudipto.

With the HF-24 Marut, Das flew its maiden sortie on 17 June, 1961. The Marut was an integral fulcrum of the IAF during the 1971 liberation war.

“Dad wasn’t supposed to test the HF-24. However, there were technical glitches which prevented the earlier test pilot from conducting the sortie. The IAF then drafted him for it and, as we know, the rest is history,” said Sudipto.

Suranjan Das being awarded by President S. Radhakrishnan | Photo via special arrangement

Das also took the first test flight of the HJT-16 Kiran, a trainer aircraft, on 4 September, 1964.

A month before his 50th birthday, Suranjan Das lost his life during a test flight of the Marut.

“The canopy unlatched during take-off and prevented the aircraft from gathering sufficient speed, crashing shortly after,” wrote Gupta.

He was conferred the Padma Vibhushan posthumously. “That remains a very stressful period in my life, I was just preparing for IIT entrance exams then,” said Sudipto.

Despite the tragic crash, Group Captain Das’ service and legend remain revered in the air force and the larger community. In his honour, the best trainee at the IAF Test Pilot School is awarded the Suranjan Das Trophy.

(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)


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