The Illustrated History of the Jodhpur Flying Club: And the Royal Air Force in Princely India

"Profusely illustrated with rare, high-quality images, the text is a delightful walk through civil aviation in India during this golden age of flight." ― Britain at War MagazineThis is the story of a maharaja’s passion for aviation which led to the establishment of a flying club in thestate of Jodhpur in the 1930s.Maharaja Umaid Singh was a keen aviator who gained his Pilot’s Licence during graduation from RAFCranwell. In 1931 he oversaw the establishment of the Jodhpur Flying Club. This popular club soon becamean important stopover for keen adventurers of the 1930s including Jean Batten, Bert Hinkler and LoresBonney and also contributed towards the establishment of early commercial air routes to South East Asia.By the Second World War, the club was set up as a RAF training base and played host to the RAF with theestablishment of No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School to support the Allied war effort. Following onfrom Indian Independence in 1947 and the untimely death of the maharaja, the club closed by the early1950s.Throughout there are photographs that document what life was like in Jodhpur and at the club. They alsogive insight into the maharaja’s love of aviation and the collection of aircraft he amassed during the club’syears in service including one of the first Lockheed 12A Electra to be owned in India.This highly illustrated book, authored by Peter Vacher, is a tribute to the Jodhpur Flying Club, the peoplewho made it a success, and the birth of aviation in India during the early 20th century. It is also a candidlook at the royal family and the influence of aviation in their lives. Read more