New Delhi: As the Indian Air Force (IAF) took wings in the post-independence era, Group Captain Suranjan Das became alternatives Along with any bomber, fighter and trainer inducted by the IAF between 1950 till his unfortunate death in 1970. He was one of the first two experimental test pilots of the IAF.
Birth Calcutta In 1920, Das graduated in physics from St. Xavier’s College. His father, Sudhi Ranjan Das was the fifth Chief Justice of India.
Although his journey with the Air Force began in North America, Das trained in Canada 19th course of the Indian Air Force in 1943. He was commissioned into the service on his return to India in June 1945.
According to Anchit GuptaIAF historian and investor: “He (Suranjan Das) earned his operational spurs with 8 Squadron.”
Das’s central contribution to the Indian Air Force was in the acquisition process of fighter aircraft – particularly in flight-testing.
He made the maiden flight of India’s first indigenously developed fighter HF-24 Marut – for which he was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM).
Das’s son Sudipto told ThePrint, “Dad’s service to the country fills all of us with pride. However, he also liked life outside of work. From wildlife parks and photography to cooking, Sudipto remembered his father as his “zest for life”.
ThePrint takes a look at the life of Suranjan Das on his 53rd death anniversary.
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Testing, analysis and evaluation of multiple aircraft
In 1958, Das was appointed commanding officer at the Aircraft and Armament Test Unit (A&ATU) at Kanpur, the main test center of the Indian Air Force. Here, he played a central role in the induction of the Folland Nate – a subsonic fighter aircraft.
“Beyond tests, Dad also followed flight design concepts closely, and this allowed him to make significant contributions through various aircraft incorporation programs,” Sudipto recalled.
“Dad was also the first Indian to fly a fighter aircraft at the Farnborough Airshow – Nat,” he added.
However, even before 1958, Das had begun to play an important 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.
Gupta wrote, “Das flew the machine to its limits to ensure that it was safe enough for the trainees to fly and even had to bail out of the HT-2 when it crashed during testing.” Couldn’t get over the spin, joined the caterpillar club.” ,
In 1961, Das was appointed Chief Test Pilot in HAL. Road from HAL to Old Madras Road today Bangalore is named after him.
In addition, during his time in the IAF, Das was also instrumental in the acquisition of several aircraft such as the Canberra, Hunter and Mystere. Notably, Suranjan Das was the first test-flyer on all evaluations of these aircraft, said Gupta.
Golden time for HF-24 Marut and Indian aviation
Das’s time at HAL coincided with the development of the HF-24 Marut, India’s first domestically built fighter-bomber.
Sudipto said, “That was a golden age for Indian aviation – when the HF-24 Marut and HJT-16 Kiran were designed and built.”
With the HF-24 Marut, Das made its maiden flight on June 17, 1961. The Marut was an integral mainstay of the Indian Air Force during the 1971 Liberation War.
“Dad should not have tested the HF-24. However, there were some technical glitches that prevented the earlier test pilot from flying. The IAF made him up for it and as we know, the rest is history Sudipto said.
Das made the first test flight of a trainer aircraft HJT-16 Kiran on 4 September 1964.
a month before their 50th Suranjan Das died during the test flight of Marut.
“The canopy opened during take-off and prevented the aircraft from gaining sufficient speed, crashing shortly afterwards,” wrote Gupta.
He was posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan. Sudipto said, “That was a very stressful period in my life, I was preparing for the IIT entrance exam then.”
Despite the tragic accident, the service and legend of Group Captain Das is revered in the Air Force and the larger community. In his honour, the best trainee in the IAF Test Pilot School awarded with Suranjan Das Trophy.
(Editing by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
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