The fighter aircraft that India's politics shot down HF 24: FIRST 'MADE IN INDIA' SUPERSONIC PLANE

     The fighter aircraft that India's politics shot down

 HF 24: MADE IN INDIA'S FIRST FIGHTER PLANE

MARUT -SPIRIT OF TEMPEST 

         HAL HF-24 Marut ("Spirit of the Tempest") was an Indian fighter-bomber aircraft of the 1960s. Developed by Hindustan Aircraft Limited (HAL), with Kurt Tank as lead designer. It is the first Indian-developed jet aircraft, and the first Asian jet fighter to go beyond the test phase and into successful production and active service. On 17 June 1961, the type conducted its maiden flight; on 1 April 1967, the first production Marut was officially delivered to the IAF.

   

  December 23, 1980 is the day when the first company to make aircraft was established in the history of India. The company was established in Bangalore. Which was named ''Hindustan Aircraft Limited''. This company was formed by Walchand Hirachand Doshi from Gujarat in collaboration with Katchi Bhatia Dharamshi Mulji Khatau.

           

 During the 1950s, Hindustan Aircraft Limited (HAL) had developed and produced several types of trainer aircraft, such as the HAL HT-2. However, elements within the firm were eager to expand into the then-new realm of supersonic fighter aircraft. Around the same time, the Indian government was in the process of formulating a new Air Staff Requirement for a Mach 2-capable combat aircraft to equip the Indian Air Force (IAF). However, as HAL lacked the necessary experience in both developing and manufacturing frontline combat fighters, it was clear that external guidance would be invaluable; this assistance was embodied by Kurt Tank. Tank was invited to relocate to India to establish and head the project to produce what would become India's first indigenous fighter aircraft. Upon arrival, he set about directing design work for the prospective fighter.

           In 1955, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's government decided to build an indigenous fighter bomber jet. Prior to 1955, India had created an indigenous plane called HT-2 only.

  For this project, Nehru invited Prof. Kart Tank, a renowned German engineer, Aeronautical Engineer. Also talked to him on the telephone. In World War II, the professor made a powerful fighter bomber named Folk-Wolf for the German Air Force.

german Aircraft Designer Kurt Tank .september 1942

  In August 1956, Prof. Kurt Tank came to India with his deputy engineer, 18 aircraft designers. At the time, there were only 58 engineers in the design department of HAL. Then there was not enough machine to make the prototype.

   

     1956, HAL formally began design work on the supersonic fighter project. The Indian government, led by Jawaharlal Nehru, authorised the development of the aircraft, stating that it would aid in the development of a modern aircraft industry in India. The first phase of the project sought to develop an airframe suitable for travelling at supersonic speeds, and able to effectively perform combat missions as a fighter aircraft, while the second phase sought to domestically design and produce an engine capable of propelling the aircraft. Early on, there was an explicit adherence to satisfying the IAF's requirements for a capable fighter bomber; attributes such as a twin-engine configuration and a speed of Mach 1.4 to 1.5 were quickly emphasised.

 During development, HAL designed and constructed a full-scale two-seat wooden glider to act as a flying demonstrator.

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          Wing Commander (later group Captain) Suranjan Das, India's foremost test pilot, flew the HF-001 for the first time on 17th June, 1961. He led the test flying on the Marut as well as the later Kiran jet trainer. Earlier he had led the test flying for the Gnat. Tragically, he was killed in 1970 when testing a more advanced version of the Marut.

       The lack of an appropriate power plant meant the Marut could not fulfill its role as an interceptor though the scope of being a reasonable ground attack fighter-bomber was very possible.

           A lot of hard work by Kurt Tank and team, by HAL and by Suranjan Das who led the team of test pilots did help mature the Marut into a flyable aircraft. Despite IAF reluctance and unwillingness to understand that it was in its own interests to support a fledgling home industry the Government sensibly ordered 18 pre-production aircraft and 62 operational ones to arm 2 or 3 squadrons. 

       In fairness to the IAF there is a long journey from an aircraft that flies to an aircraft that fights and does so consistently in adverse conditions. In 1963 the Marut development efforts had not traveled that distance and the IAF was justified in not being keen to take an immature product into operational squadrons. In fact it would be 1971 by the time most defects were ironed out
. It was underpowered, and could never break the sound barrier

WHEN INDIA'S POLITICS SHOT-DOWN  HIS PLANE...

   India looked for more alternative options in the Soviet Union, Europe, and the United States. Several engines were brought, but all failed. On 1 April, 1967, HAL HF-24 Marut with two Orpheus engines was handed over to the Dagger Squadron (No. 10) of the IAF. It was underpowered, and could never break the sound barrier, except, theoretically, in dive.

With underpowered engines, Marut could not match the MiG-21s or Pakistani F-104 Starfighters. It was not on the IAF’s air-to-air fighter list. The Marut was only limited to light ground attack duties. It could carry 1,800 kilograms of bombs, 100 rockets (68 mm) as well as four 30 mm cannons. Unfortunately, its design was too rickety to fire all four cannons together. The first test pilot who tried this over the Arabian Sea toppled over, crashed and died.

Maruts came to the limelight when they were used in the Bangladesh liberation war in 1971, especially in the desert sector. These also played a role in the storied Battle of Longewala. Wing Commander Bakshi shot down 1 pakistani  Saberjet plane in Dog Fight.

Given the aircraft’s continuing limitations and non-availability of a proper engine, the IAF was never fully committed to it. Nor was there sufficient trust between IAF and their monopoly supplier HAL. It continues to date.

IAF did maintain three oversized squadrons with Maruts, one going up to an unprecedented 32 aircraft. A total of 147 Maruts were manufactured. But these were all retired in early 1980s, some pretty much sent from factory to junk stores.