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Royal Indian Air Force

The Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF) was the aerial force of British India and later the Dominion of India. Along with the Indian Army, and Royal Indian Navy, it was one of the Armed Forces of British Indian Empire.

This article is about the air force of the British ruled India (1932–1947) and the air force of the Dominion of India (1947–1950). For the current air force of the Republic of India, see Indian Air Force. For the current air force of Pakistan, see Pakistan Air Force.

Royal Indian Air Force

1932–1950

India

 British India
 Dominion of India

Air Force

25,000 personnel by VJ Day (1945)[1]

RAF India

RIAF

"Per Ardua ad Astra" (Latin)
(Through Adversity to the Stars)

Notable operations

The Indian Air Force was officially established on 8 October 1932. Its first flight came into being on 1 April 1933 with six RAF-trained officers and 19 Havai Sepoys (air soldiers). The aircraft inventory consisted of four Westland Wapiti IIA army co-operation biplanes at Drigh Road, Karachi as the "A" Flight nucleus of the planned No.1 (Army Co-operation) Squadron.

1933–1942: The RAF roundel was used from 1933 to 1942 as the IAF was first established as an auxiliary air force of the Royal Air Force.

1943–1945: This roundel was used from 1943–1945 in the during World War II. The central red disc was removed to eliminate confusion with the Japanese Rising Sun Emblem.

Burma Sector

1947–1950: The was an interim roundel used from Indian independence in 1947 till India became a republic in 1950.

Ashoka Chakra

1950: This roundel was adapted by the IAF in 1950 and kept it after India became a republic and is used to this day.

Royal Air Force

Royal Canadian Air Force

Royal Australian Air Force

Royal New Zealand Air Force

– KS Nair

The Forgotten Few; The Indian Air Force in World War II

– Rana Chhina

The Eagle strikes : the Royal Indian Air Force, 1932–1950

– SC Gupta

History of the Indian Air Force, 1933–45

– RAF Museum

The Royal Indian Air Force, 1932 – 1947