Hawker Hart (India)

Three Squadrons of the Royal Air Force had operated the tropicalised Hart (India) for some years before a few of this aircraft type were given to the Indian Air Force at Ambala, early in 1939. On 25th June 1939, No. 1 Squadron started its conversion to the Hart (India), supplanting the Wapiti, the “new” aircraft being ex-RAF and obtained from the Aircraft Depot, Karachi and Aircraft Park, Lahore.

Immediately on outbreak of war in September 1939, one flight of Squadron moved to the North West Frontier to relieve a R.A.F. Squadron which went overseas in accordance with Staff’ plans. Another flight went to Karachi for the air defence of Drigh Road as Karachi was an important base for the protection of shipping and especially because Italy, an Axis power, had considerable forces in East Africa. The Harts at Drigh Road, grouped as “Q” Flight, did not engage in coastal reconnaissance but artillery observation which then became its primary function.

The Harts acquitted themselves well on the watch and ward tour at the Frontier, but the acute shortage of spare parts was a cause of much grief to No. 1 Squadron. With serviceability low, and impossibility of replacements, the Harts had to go and in June 1940, or just one year after No. 1 Squadron had re-equipped, the unit reverted to two flights of Wapitis and took on one flight of Audaxes.

Notes :

The Hart two-seat biplane light day bomber first flew in June 1928 and quickly demonstrated its excellent contemporary performance proving to be one of the most adaptable types ever used by the Royal Air Force. Many variants appeared during its long production run including the major sub-variant, the Hart (India) which was developed for use in the tropics. Powered by a 525 h.p. Rolls Royce Kestrel 1B engine, the Hart was of all-metal construction, with fabric covering, and had inequal span single-bay staggered wings.