FUN BOX
Dasara in Mysuru is synonymous with elephants. But did you know that the Indian Air Force once gave its helicopters an elephant makeover, turning them into giant flying elephants for Republic Day celebrations?
In the 1970s, Chetak helicopters of the IAF’s No. 116 Helicopter Unit were given a rather unusual makeover for ceremonial displays in New Delhi. They were fitted with huge decorative ears, tusks, legs and trunks, making them look like elephants taking to the skies.
The transformation was fairly low-tech. A tailor was brought to the air base weeks ahead of the event to stitch fabric panels for the elephant’s body, ears, legs and trunk. Much of the helicopter’s cockpit was covered, leaving only narrow openings for the pilot to see through. The helicopters were Indian-built versions of the French Aérospatiale Alouette III.
Flying the aircraft in this form was not without its risks. Pilots generally kept the speed to around 40-45 knots to prevent the fabric from tearing or getting caught in the tail rotor. During the display, the ‘elephant’ descended to about 910 feet over Kartavya Path and performed a short aerial ‘dance’ before climbing away.
The IAF used the elephant display during Republic Day flypasts between 1970 and 1973, and again from 1979 to 1985.
The Chetak helicopters were also given other unusual makeovers. On one occasion, one was transformed into a giant flying fish. In 1993, another Chetak was dressed up as a dodo for the Independence Day celebrations of Mauritius.
