Begumpet Airforce Station & Museum

RIGHT: An undated photograph shows the aerial view of Begumpet Old Airport.   The two hangars are seen on the top leftside, and the old airport terminal building is in the lower center of the photograph. Many of the built structures seen in this picture survive to this day, though some have become dilapidated, most are still being used either by the IAF or by the CISF.


Begumpet airport is located right in the heart of the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad in Andhra Pradesh. Its history dates back to the early 30s when the Hyderabad Aero Club was formed and it became the airfield for Nizam of Hyderabad's aircraft.  The airport was further developed with the provision of a proper airport terminal building in 1937.

The old airport terminal seen in a photograph from the late 40s (left) and as it stands today (right). The foundation for this building was layed by Princess Durrushevar in November 1936. Today, nearly seventy years later, the terminal building does duty as the CISF's commandants office.


During the Second World War, the flying club was taken over by the RAF for its training purposes and No.1 Elementary Flying Training School was soon established. No.1 EFTS operated a number of DH82 Tigermoths impressed from civilian service and was functional for almost the entire duration of the war. In 1945 No.1 EFTS was wound up and Begumpet reverted back to complete civilian control again. 

 

An aerial view of the Begumpet AFS in the 50s, when No.1 AFA was based. The entire area has not changed much over the years.

Begumpet during WW2: Pilot trainees from No.1 EFTS with a DH82 Tigermoth aircraft.

The Hangars still stand today as seen in this photograph - and are used by the Navigation and Signals School which is lodged with the AFS Begumpet.

In Oct 1951, No.1 Air Force Academy moved to Begumpet from Ambala and flying training commenced under the Indian Air Force Management once again. In 1956, the AFA, now redesignated as Air Force College moved out of Begumpet, and the station was named "Air Force Station, Hyderabad". In 1963, No.1 Transport Training Wing was moved to AFS Hyderabad and remained there till its amalgamation into the TTW Bangalore in 1968. Air Force Station Begumpet as we know it today, came into establishment in 1968, and remains so till this date.


The Station and its Museum:

AFS Begumpet retains much of a Historic feel when one takes a tour of the faciilties. One gets a feeling that the station has not changed much from the 30s when the British used to garrision their troops here. More than half of the buildings are of vintage build and are maintained  well by the IAF personnel there.

 This marble plaque outside a temple within the station's premises shows one of its previous occupants, the 4th Battallion of the then XIX Hyderabad Regiment. The same battalion after independence became the 4 Kumaon , which would later earn laurels at the battle of Badgam in Kashmir , 1947.

This is the front side of the Old Airport Terminal facing the road. This is where travellers would report for their flights during the Nizam era. Sadly, the once sprawling lawn and landscaping has fallen into neglect. The building is currently occupied by the CISF. 

In December 2004, Begumpet AFS started its own 'in-house' Museum. Housed in one of the rooms in the aircrew and administration building besides the old terminal, the Museum was inagurated by former CAS, Air Chief Marshal Idris Latif.

The Museum has on display various photographs, mementos and small artifacts salvaged from the station. Pride of place goes to information gathered from the book "Aviation in the Hyderabad Dominions" by Mrs P Anuradha Reddy. One whole wall of the museum has information and photographs from this book. 

Top: An early photograph of the Begumpet Airport terminal before it was expanded, and the large old  hangar in the background


A clean view of the  Begumpet "Old Airport" Terminal Building which was built in 1937

In December 2004, Begumpet AFS started its own 'in-house' Museum. Housed in one of the rooms in the aircrew and administration building besides the old terminal, the Museum was inagurated by former CAS, Air Chief Marshal Idris Latif.

The Museum has on display various photographs, mementos and small artifacts salvaged from the station. Pride of place goes to information gathered from the book "Aviation in the Hyderabad Dominions" by Mrs P Anuradha Reddy. One whole wall of the museum has information and photographs from this book. 

This silver mug was the 'Force Landing Trophy' awarded to Air Chief Marshal IH Latif, during his time as a cadet at No.1 EFTS Begumpet in 1942.

Air Chief Marshal Latif donated his uniform for display in the Museum. shown here are a close up of his medal ribbons and wings.  Air Chief Marshal Latif is one of the few WW2 Veterans with the Burma Star - UK Defence Medal Combinations. 

The Aircraft

TS-11 Iskra W-1769 has been procured from Hakimpet - as the crest on the nose of the aircraft indicates. This is one of the two Iskras sent to Begumpet, but will be the only one on display on the station premises. The other one having been sent to the local KV School.