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Aviation History
1956
1956 - 1177.PDF
FLIGHT, 24 August 1956 323 HT-2 trainer flying over Penang. HINDUSTAN AIRCRAFT (PRIVATE), LTD. TNDIA'S only aircraft manufacturing organization, Hindustan•*• Aircraft, serves not only the country's domestic needs but also those of many of the airline operators and Air Forces in Asiancountries and the Middle East. H.A.L. claims to be the largest aircraft repair, overhaul and manufacturing organization in theEast, and possesses its own airport and seaplane landing base. The company is under the direction of the Ministry of Defenceof the Government of India. The activities of the company and the day-to-day administration are controlled by the Board ofmanagement under the chairmanship of J. M. Shrinagesh, manag- ing director and general manager; Dr. V. M. Ghatage, chiefdesigner; J. J. M. Dziewonski, production adviser; A. Zampolino, factory manager, and V. G. Kamath, financial manager. The company's premises at Bangalore, spread over 1,100 acres,and consist of engine and accessories shops, foundry, machine and sheet metal shops, tool room, electroplating shop and a moderntest laboratory capable of carrying out physical, mechanical and chemical tests on almost all aircraft materials. The shops arelaid out with modern types of equipment and machinery and the test laboratory is provided with an industrial X-ray plant,which is used for the radiographic inspection of castings made at the foundry. Supporting the work of the production units aredesign, engineering and research departments. The factory has been recognized by the Directorate of Civil Aviation in India, andhas the approval of the American C.A.A. for the repair and over- haul of DC-3s, C-47s and Pratt and Whitney engines. On the manufacturing side the HT-2 trainer, designed anddeveloped by the company, is now in full production. The air- craft has been tested by Indian and foreign pilots, and has beencertified as a suitable trainer for basic training for the Indian Air Force, to whom batch deliveries are being made. The DirectorGeneral of Civil Aviation, also, has placed an initial order. The aircraft is now available for export, and was recently demon-strated to flying clubs and air forces in East Asian countries. H.A.L.-built Vampire fighters continue to be supplied to theIndian Air Force according to programme. Hindustan Aircraft is an overseas member of the S.B.A.C. and,in addition to possessing the C.A.A. approval for DC-3 work, is also an authorized DC-3 service centre of the Douglas company.H.A.L. is also repairing and servicing agent in India of the de Havilland companies. Aircraft types for which repair andoverhaul facilities exist include (in addition to Dakotas) Doves, Harvards, Liberators and Tempests. The Company's branch factory in Calcutta is continuing to In dia concentrate on repair and overhaul of DC-3s belonging to theIndian Airline Corporation and non-scheduled operators. In addition, this factory will be equipped for the service, repair andoverhaul of helicopters. The total number of personnel employed by the company(including those on railway-coach and bus-body work) is over 11,000; over 9,000 are engaged on aircraft work. In India'ssecond five-year-plan, the factory expects to make considerable progress and will be undertaking the design and manufacture ofa jet trainer, advanced jet fighters and aero-engines. Inspection of the HT-2 by the Prime Minister of Cambodia at Pochen- tong Airport during the aircraft's East Asian tour.
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