Kalinga Airlines

[addy1967]

Hi All!!
My father( Capt Addy) used to fly DC3 for Kalinga Airlines way back in late 60s and early 70s, especially used to supply drop supplies at North Eastern India.used to operate from Calcutta and Mohanbari Assam. Any one from those days??

[Worf]

My late father flew Dakotas from Jorhat, Mohanbari and a bunch of other airfields in the Northeast of India from 1957-1959, then 1969-1970 and finally 1979-1982 for the Indian Air Force. (As a Pilot Officer, Squadron Leader and Group Captain respectively).

He used to talked about Kalinga Airways operating with them (including supply dropping sorties) early on. I don't think they were around in the 1970s in the supply dropping role, and Indian Airlines had started to edge them out from the passenger role.

Kalinga Airways was owned by Biju Patnaik - ex Royal Indian Air Force WWII Spitfire and Dakota pilot. He was highly connected politically and was the Chief Minister of Orissa state till he died.

My father talks about an ex-RAF Czech pilot who flew for Kalinga taking off in a torrential downpour. When my father told him that visibility was down to a few hundred yards, the Czech pointed to his thick soda glasses and said," I can't see more than a few hundred yards anyway, even in broad daylight!".

Someone should write the history of Kalinga - it is bound to be very interesting. I think Arthur Whitlock's book "Behind the Cockpit Door" talks about his time with Kalinga. But I haven't been able to locate a copy.

[brakedwell]

A Kalinga DC3 VT-DGS wet leased to Gulf Aviation was lost on July 10 1960 (http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19600710-0)

[aditya_nag2002]

Hi addy,
i am collecting information on Kalinga airlines and its activities including its effort and help in clandestine operations for india so some information about their pilots would be must appreciated.I stay in Orissa so if say the word i can always drop by to Calcutta to have chat with you and maybe some photographs.

[aditya_nag2002]

Hi worf,
i am collecting information on Kalinga airlines and its activities including its effort and help in clandestine operations for india so some information about their pilots would be must appreciated.So any help including some photographs and any other anecdotes that you may remember and share with me.

[Srinivas]

Hi, this is Col Srinivas. I was in Pasighat from 1956 to 1964. Travelled by Kalinga Air Lines often. Lot of nostalgia to share.

[Krakatoa]

A Kalinga DC3 VT-DGS wet leased to Gulf Aviation was lost on July 10 1960 (http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19600710-0)
I arrived at sharjah on 11th July 1960 from Khormaksar to join the search. From an old mans memory and a log book we covered an area to the East of Sharjah but not as far as the high ground. Continued the search on the 12th. and 13th and then returned to Khormaksar.
I was on 37 Sqn. from 1959 to 1961 which included time at Sharjah. I remember the rumors about the cargo VT - DGS was carrying.

[pilot5wife]

Hello readers, any info from those at the KA in 1966? I am interested in knowing.

Thanks

[aditya_nag2002]

Hi Sir its go great that someone has replied to my query even after all these years my email id is- [email protected]

[Gladiator65]

Hi,
On 15 September 1952 a Kalinga Ailines DC3 VT-CGB crashed 10 miles East of Railway Station No.6 on the Wadi Halfa to Atbarra railway line. Would anyone know the names of the three crew who died in the crash?

Any help appreciated.

Regards,

[megan]

All I can find is that the Captain was Irish and the other two crew Indian.

[Srinivas]

Hi, I am Col Srinivas in Bangalore. Grown up in Arunachal Pradesh, then NEFA, in 1950s to 1970. Flown in Kalinga Air Lines plenty of times. The Pilots were icons for us. Some of the name, of course the faces, of them I recollect are Karnik, Two Krishnans one tall and well built other not so tall, one Mr Singh as we used to refer to him a slim gentleman. In 1962 during Chinese aggression we were evacuated from Pasighat to Mohanbari by Kalinga Aiirlines. No seats all were seated on the floor to take maximum people. Nostalgic memories.
Your husband was pilot in Kalinga Airlines I suppose. What is his name.
like to get in touch with you to share more memories.
Take care
Sriniwas.

[brakedwell]

When I was based in Bahrain in 1959/61, flying RAF Pembrokes and Twin Pioneers, I remember a Kalinga DC3 joining Gulf Air. I also remember searching for a Gulf Air DC3 which was lost on a flight from Doha to Sharjah. I am pretty sure it was the Kalinga aircraft which was eventually found several years later east of Sharjah.