Miscellaneous Types (1939-45)

The Bomber-Transport flight of No. 31 Squadron R.A.F. operated the Vickers Valentia biplane for troop transport, ambulance and supply duties from Quetta and Delhi till supplanted by the Dakota. A few Valentias were operated for multi-engine crew and navigation training at the S.F.T.S. Ambala from the early years of the war till 1944. The Valentia was powered by two 625 h.p. Bristol Pegasus radials and had a maximum speed of 85 m.p.h. (137 km/hr).

A three-seat cabin monoplane powered by one 130 h.p. De Havilland Gipsy Major engine, the Leopard Moth was used by private operators in India for transportation of airmail and special flights. With outbreak of the war, the few Leopard Moths were taken over for training purposes at the S.F.T.S. Ambala. The type had a max. speed of 140 m.p.h. (225 km/hr) at sea level and weighed, loaded, 2,225 lb. (1,010 kg.)

One of the few types of aircraft in continuous production prior to the outbreak of WWII, the Anson continued to be manufactured, in various marks, till after the war, a total of 11,020 aircraft being built. A few Anson navigational and armament trainers were received by the S.F.T.S. in 1942 and continued in service till the end of the war. The Anson 1, powered by two 320 h.p. Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah IX radials, could fly at a maximum speed of 188 m.p.h. (303 km/hr) and had an empty weight of 6,510 lb. (2,956 kg).
The Moth Minor was first flown in 1938, powered by a 90 h.p. de Havil-land Gipsy main engine and was of wooded construction with open tandem cockpits. Fitted with complete dual controls, the Moth Minor was a useful light trainer and used by flying schools of Ambala, Jodhpur, Begumpet. The Moth Minor had a max. speed of 118 m.p.h (190 km./hr.) at sea level and weighed, loaded, 1,550 lb. (704 kg.)