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'''Ram Nath Chawla''' (1 December 1903 - 23 February 1986) was an Indian [[Aircraft pilot|pilot]] who in March 1930, in an attempt to win a flying competition set by the [[Aga Khan III|Aga Khan]], was the first Indian to fly an aircraft from India to England. He was the [[pilot in command|main pilot]] of a [[de Havilland DH.60|de Havilland Gipsy Moth]] and was accompanied by 17-year-old [[Aspy Merwan Engineer]], his [[First officer (aeronautics)|co-pilot]]. The journey took 17 days.
'''Ram Nath Chawla''' (1 December 1903 – 23 February 1986) was an Indian [[Aircraft pilot|pilot]] who in March 1930, in an attempt to win a flying competition set by the [[Aga Khan III|Aga Khan]], was the first Indian to fly an aircraft from India to England. He was the [[pilot in command|main pilot]] of a [[de Havilland DH.60|de Havilland Gipsy Moth]] and was accompanied by 17-year-old [[Aspy Merwan Engineer]], his [[First officer (aeronautics)|co-pilot]]. The journey took 17 days.
   
   
He was later commissioned into the equipment branch of the [[Indian Air Force]], becoming its senior officer, before he retired in 1953.
He was later commissioned into the equipment branch of the [[Indian Air Force]], becoming its senior officer, before he retired in 1953.


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
Ram Nath Chawla was born 1 December 1903.<ref name="BharatRakshak">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/1626|title=Service Record for Flight Lieutenant Ram Nath Chawla 1626 EQPT at Bharat Rakshak.com|website=Bharat Rakshak|language=en-gb|access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref> After completing High School in [[Kasur]],<ref name="Sapru2014"/> he studied civil engineering at the [[University of Nottingham]]<ref name="Express">{{Cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2017/mar/19/flashback-of-first-flier-who-flew-farthest-in-1930-1582930.html|title=Flashback of first flier who flew farthest in 1930|date=19 March 2017|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref> and took flying lessons at the nearby [[Hucknall Aerodrome]]. In 1928, he received his flying licence from the [[Royal Aero Club|Aero Club of London]].<ref name="Sapru2014"/><ref name=Fyzee1991>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NkDbAAAAMAAJ&q=chawla|title=Aircraft and engine perfect: the story of JRD Tata who opened up skies for his country|last=Fyzee|first=Murad|date=1991|publisher=Tata McGraw-Hill Pub. Co.|isbn=9780074601204|language=en}}</ref>
Ram Nath Chawla was born 1 December 1903.<ref name="BharatRakshak">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/1626|title=Service Record for Flight Lieutenant Ram Nath Chawla 1626 EQPT at Bharat Rakshak.com|website=Bharat Rakshak|language=en-gb|access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref> After completing High School in [[Kasur]],<ref name="Sapru2014"/> he studied civil engineering at the [[University of Nottingham]]<ref name="Express">{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2017/mar/19/flashback-of-first-flier-who-flew-farthest-in-1930-1582930.html|title=Flashback of first flier who flew farthest in 1930|date=19 March 2017|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref> and took flying lessons at the nearby [[Hucknall Aerodrome]]. In 1928, he received his flying licence from the [[Royal Aero Club|Aero Club of London]].<ref name="Sapru2014"/><ref name=Fyzee1991>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NkDbAAAAMAAJ&q=chawla|title=Aircraft and engine perfect: the story of JRD Tata who opened up skies for his country|last=Fyzee|first=Murad|date=1991|publisher=Tata McGraw-Hill Pub. Co.|isbn=9780074601204|language=en|page=39}}</ref>


== Family ==
== Family ==
Ram Nath Chawla was fourth among five brothers. His family consisted of his wife, one daughter, Bimla Khetarpal (Chawla being her maternal surname), and two sons, Jung Bahadur Chawla and Avtar Chawla. He lived in small town called, Kasur, now in Pakistan before partition of India but had to leave all their belongings in Pakistan (like millions of others) when the partition of India took place.
Ram Nath Chawla was fourth among five brothers. His family consisted of his wife, one daughter, Bimla Khetarpal (Chawla being her maternal surname), and two sons, Jung Bahadur Chawla and Avtar Chawla. He lived in small town called, Kasur, now in Pakistan before partition of India but had to leave all their belongings in Pakistan (like millions of others) when the partition of India took place.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}


== Early flying career ==
== Early flying career ==
In November 1929, keen on promoting aviation, the [[Aga Khan III|Aga Khan]], 48th Iman of the [[Isma'ilism|Ismailai]] sect of Muslims,<ref name="Chowdhury2018">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TGpUDwAAQBAJ&q=aspy&pg=PA368|title=Defence of Europe by Sikh Soldiers in the World Wars|last=Chowdhry|first=Mohindra S.|date=2018|publisher=Troubador Publishing Ltd|isbn=9781788037983|pages=369|language=en}}</ref> announced a £500 prize<ref name="Chowdhury2018" /> for the first Indian to fly solo between India and England, in either direction, within a one-month time frame.<ref name="Rao2000">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pBCIAwAAQBAJ&q=Aga+Khan+1929+flight+prize&pg=PP8|title=J. R. D. TATA|last=Rao|first=Prof L. S. Seshagiri|date=2000|publisher=Sapna Book House (P) Ltd.|isbn=9788128017438|language=en}}</ref>
In November 1929, keen on promoting aviation, the [[Aga Khan III|Aga Khan]], 48th Iman of the [[Isma'ilism|Ismailai]] sect of Muslims,<ref name="Chowdhury2018">{{Cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TGpUDwAAQBAJ&q=aspy&pg=PA368|title=Defence of Europe by Sikh Soldiers in the World Wars|last=Chowdhry|first=Mohindra S.|date=2018|publisher=Troubador Publishing Ltd|isbn=9781788037983|chapter=7. Sikhs in the Second World War|pages=369|language=en}}</ref> announced a £500 prize<ref name="Chowdhury2018" /> for the first Indian to fly solo between India and England, in either direction, within a one-month time frame.<ref name="Rao2000">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pBCIAwAAQBAJ&q=Aga+Khan+1929+flight+prize&pg=PP8|title=J. R. D. TATA|last=Rao|first=Prof L. S. Seshagiri|date=2000|publisher=Sapna Book House (P) Ltd.|isbn=9788128017438|language=en}}</ref>
   
   
Unable to cover the cost of participating, Chawla teamed up with 17-year-old Aspy Merwan Engineer, who had recently received his flying licence and a [[de Havilland DH.60|de Havilland Gipsy Moth]] aircraft as a birthday gift.<ref name="Express"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Personnel/Tributes/1074-Engineers.html|title=Brothers-in-Arms : The Flying Engineer Brothers|last=Singh|first=Farida|website=www.bharat-rakshak.com|language=en-gb|access-date=8 March 2019}}</ref> On 3 March 1930, with Chawla as the main pilot, they both flew the aircraft from Karachi, to [[Croydon Airport]], England, taking 17 days.<ref name="spsAviation"/><ref name="FlightMay1930">{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1930/untitled0%20-%200519.html?search=chawla|title=1930 {{!}} 0519 {{!}} Flight Archive|website=www.flightglobal.com|access-date=20 February 2019|archive-date=21 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221054656/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1930/untitled0%20-%200519.html?search=chawla|url-status=dead}}</ref> After losing their way a number of times, they were received at Croydon by a welcoming crowd and presented with garlands of flowers by the Mayor of London and rewarded with 7,500 rupees from the Indian government.<ref name="Sapru2014">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SEa6DQAAQBAJ&pg=PT442|title=Combat Lore: Indian Air Force 1930-1945|last=Sapru|first=Somnath|publisher=KW Publishers|year=2014|isbn=9789383649259|page=442}}</ref><ref name="spsAviation">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sps-aviation.com/story/?id=578|title=Aspy Engineer (1912–2002) – SP's Aviation|website=www.sps-aviation.com|access-date=16 February 2019}}</ref><ref name="Burge1930">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V0zOAAAAMAAJ&q=r.+n.+chawla+air|title=The Air Annual of the British Empire|last=Burge|first=Cyril G.|date=1930|publisher=Gale & Polden.|language=en}}</ref> Members of the Punjab Association and officials from the [[Air Ministry]] were also present.<ref name=Cluett1980/>
Unable to cover the cost of participating, Chawla teamed up with 17-year-old Aspy Merwan Engineer, who had recently received his flying licence and a [[de Havilland DH.60|de Havilland Gipsy Moth]] aircraft as a birthday gift.<ref name="Express"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Personnel/Tributes/1074-Engineers.html|title=Brothers-in-Arms : The Flying Engineer Brothers|last=Singh|first=Farida|website=www.bharat-rakshak.com|language=en-gb|access-date=8 March 2019|archive-date=19 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190219183357/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Personnel/Tributes/1074-Engineers.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 3 March 1930, with Chawla as the main pilot, they both flew the aircraft from Karachi, to [[Croydon Airport]], England, taking 17 days.<ref name="spsAviation"/><ref name="FlightMay1930">{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1930/untitled0%20-%200519.html?search=chawla|title=1930 {{!}} 0519 {{!}} Flight Archive|website=www.flightglobal.com|access-date=20 February 2019|archive-date=21 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221054656/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1930/untitled0%20-%200519.html?search=chawla|url-status=dead}}</ref> After losing their way a number of times, they were received at Croydon by a welcoming crowd and presented with garlands of flowers by the Mayor of London and rewarded with 7,500 rupees from the Indian government.<ref name="Sapru2014">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SEa6DQAAQBAJ&pg=PT442|title=Combat Lore: Indian Air Force 1930-1945|last=Sapru|first=Somnath|publisher=KW Publishers|year=2014|isbn=9789383649259|page=442}}</ref><ref name="spsAviation">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sps-aviation.com/story/?id=578|title=Aspy Engineer (1912–2002) – SP's Aviation|website=www.sps-aviation.com|access-date=16 February 2019}}</ref><ref name="Burge1930">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V0zOAAAAMAAJ&q=r.+n.+chawla+air|title=The Air Annual of the British Empire|last=Burge|first=Cyril G.|date=1930|publisher=Gale & Polden.|language=en}}</ref> Members of the Punjab Association and officials from the [[Air Ministry]] were also present.<ref name=Cluett1980/>


On 27 March 1930, ''The Wallington and Carshalton Times'' captured the arrival at Croydon with a photograph of both pilots and the headline "From India's coral strand". Under the image were the words "Victor’s laurels".<ref name=Cluett1980>{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/croydon-airport-the-great-days-1928-1939-by-douglas-cluett-joanna-nash-bob-learmonth/oclc/16475697|title=Croydon Airport: the great days, 1928-1939 : [by] Douglas Cluett, Joanna Nash, Bob Learmonth.|last1=Cluett|first1=Douglas|last2=Nash|first2=Joanna|last3=Learmonth|first3=Bob|last4=Sutton Libraries and Arts Services|date=1980|publisher=London Borough of Sutton Libraries and Arts Services|isbn=0950322482|location=Sutton, Surrey (Central Library, St Nicholas Way, Sutton, Surrey)|pages=16–18|language=en|chapter=2. Life at the Airport|oclc=16475697}}</ref>
On 27 March 1930, ''The Wallington and Carshalton Times'' captured the arrival at Croydon with a photograph of both pilots and the headline "From India's coral strand". Under the image were the words "Victor’s laurels".<ref name=Cluett1980>{{Cite book|title=Croydon Airport: the great days, 1928-1939 : [by] Douglas Cluett, Joanna Nash, Bob Learmonth.|last1=Cluett|first1=Douglas|last2=Nash|first2=Joanna|last3=Learmonth|first3=Bob|last4=Sutton Libraries and Arts Services|date=1980|publisher=London Borough of Sutton Libraries and Arts Services|isbn=0950322482|location=Sutton, Surrey (Central Library, St Nicholas Way, Sutton, Surrey)|pages=16–18|language=en|chapter=2. Life at the Airport|oclc=16475697}}</ref>


A reception was held on 10 April 1930.<ref name="FlightApril1930">{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1930/untitled0%20-%200464.html?search=chawla|title=1930 {{!}} 0464 {{!}} Flight Archive|website=www.flightglobal.com|access-date=20 February 2019}}</ref> Aspy Engineer shortly returned to Karachi and won the prize, beating [[J. R. D. Tata]] by a few hours and winning over [[Man Mohan Singh (pilot)|Man Mohan Singh]] due to a technical issue.<ref name="spsAviation"/>
A reception was held on 10 April 1930.<ref name="FlightApril1930">{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1930/untitled0%20-%200464.html?search=chawla|title=1930 {{!}} 0464 {{!}} Flight Archive|website=www.flightglobal.com|access-date=20 February 2019}}</ref> Aspy Engineer shortly returned to Karachi and won the prize, beating [[J. R. D. Tata]] by a few hours and winning over [[Man Mohan Singh (pilot)|Man Mohan Singh]] due to a technical issue.<ref name="spsAviation"/>
Line 72: Line 72:
In 1934, Chawla flew from India to England, solo, in a [[de Havilland Puss Moth]].<ref name="Sapru2014"/>
In 1934, Chawla flew from India to England, solo, in a [[de Havilland Puss Moth]].<ref name="Sapru2014"/>
   
   
On 1 August 1940, following training at [[PAF Base Faisal]], [[Karachi]], he was commissioned into the [[Royal Air Force]] as an equipment officer.<ref name="Sapru2014"/> After the [[partition of India]], Chawla became the senior most equipment officer in the [[Indian Air force]].<ref name="EngineerMemoirs1993">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/history/ww2/veterans/1188-aspy-engineer.html|title=Air Marshal Aspy Engineer's Recollections|last=Engineer|first=Air Marshal Aspy|website=www.bharat-rakshak.com|language=en-gb|access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref> He retired as Wing Commander in 1953, having flown 960 hours as a civilian pilot.<ref name="Sapru2014"/>
On 1 August 1940, following training at [[PAF Base Faisal]], [[Karachi]], he was commissioned into the [[Royal Air Force]] as an equipment officer.<ref name="Sapru2014"/> After the [[partition of India]], Chawla became the senior most equipment officer in the [[Indian Air force]].<ref name="EngineerMemoirs1993">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/history/ww2/veterans/1188-aspy-engineer.html|title=Air Marshal Aspy Engineer's Recollections|last=Engineer|first=Air Marshal Aspy|website=www.bharat-rakshak.com|language=en-gb|access-date=19 February 2019|archive-date=17 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217030257/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/history/ww2/veterans/1188-aspy-engineer.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> He retired as a wing commander in 1953 and logged 960 hours as a civilian pilot.<ref name="Sapru2014"/>


==Death==
==Death==
Chawla died on 23 February 1986.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}
Chawla died on 23 February 1986.<ref name="BharatRakshak"/>


== References ==
== References ==

Latest revision as of 15:05, 10 August 2025


Ram Nath Chawla
File:Ram Nath Chawla.jpg
Wing Commander Indian Air Force
Personal details
Born(1903-12-01)1 December 1903
Kasur, Punjab Province, British India
Died23 February 1986
Military service
Allegiance British India (1933–1947)
 India (from 1947)

Ram Nath Chawla (1 December 1903 – 23 February 1986) was an Indian pilot who in March 1930, in an attempt to win a flying competition set by the Aga Khan, was the first Indian to fly an aircraft from India to England. He was the main pilot of a de Havilland Gipsy Moth and was accompanied by 17-year-old Aspy Merwan Engineer, his co-pilot. The journey took 17 days.

He was later commissioned into the equipment branch of the Indian Air Force, becoming its senior officer, before he retired in 1953.

Early life[edit | edit source]

Ram Nath Chawla was born 1 December 1903.[1] After completing High School in Kasur,[2] he studied civil engineering at the University of Nottingham[3] and took flying lessons at the nearby Hucknall Aerodrome. In 1928, he received his flying licence from the Aero Club of London.[2][4]

Family[edit | edit source]

Ram Nath Chawla was fourth among five brothers. His family consisted of his wife, one daughter, Bimla Khetarpal (Chawla being her maternal surname), and two sons, Jung Bahadur Chawla and Avtar Chawla. He lived in small town called, Kasur, now in Pakistan before partition of India but had to leave all their belongings in Pakistan (like millions of others) when the partition of India took place.[citation needed]

Early flying career[edit | edit source]

In November 1929, keen on promoting aviation, the Aga Khan, 48th Iman of the Ismailai sect of Muslims,[5] announced a £500 prize[5] for the first Indian to fly solo between India and England, in either direction, within a one-month time frame.[6]

Unable to cover the cost of participating, Chawla teamed up with 17-year-old Aspy Merwan Engineer, who had recently received his flying licence and a de Havilland Gipsy Moth aircraft as a birthday gift.[3][7] On 3 March 1930, with Chawla as the main pilot, they both flew the aircraft from Karachi, to Croydon Airport, England, taking 17 days.[8][9] After losing their way a number of times, they were received at Croydon by a welcoming crowd and presented with garlands of flowers by the Mayor of London and rewarded with 7,500 rupees from the Indian government.[2][8][10] Members of the Punjab Association and officials from the Air Ministry were also present.[11]

On 27 March 1930, The Wallington and Carshalton Times captured the arrival at Croydon with a photograph of both pilots and the headline "From India's coral strand". Under the image were the words "Victor’s laurels".[11]

A reception was held on 10 April 1930.[12] Aspy Engineer shortly returned to Karachi and won the prize, beating J. R. D. Tata by a few hours and winning over Man Mohan Singh due to a technical issue.[8]

The 1965 Who's Who of Aviation Directory of Asia describes Chawla as "the first Indian to pilot an aircraft from Karachi to Croydon, UK in 1930".[2]

The Aga Khan Award[edit | edit source]

He won the Aga Khan Award for the first Indian to make a flight to and from England to India. Source: https://www.britishpathe.com/video/from-india-in-17-days.

Later flying career[edit | edit source]

In 1934, Chawla flew from India to England, solo, in a de Havilland Puss Moth.[2]

On 1 August 1940, following training at PAF Base Faisal, Karachi, he was commissioned into the Royal Air Force as an equipment officer.[2] After the partition of India, Chawla became the senior most equipment officer in the Indian Air force.[13] He retired as a wing commander in 1953 and logged 960 hours as a civilian pilot.[2]

Death[edit | edit source]

Chawla died on 23 February 1986.[1]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Service Record for Flight Lieutenant Ram Nath Chawla 1626 EQPT at Bharat Rakshak.com". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Sapru, Somnath (2014). Combat Lore: Indian Air Force 1930-1945. KW Publishers. p. 442. ISBN 9789383649259.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Flashback of first flier who flew farthest in 1930". The New Indian Express. 19 March 2017. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  4. ↑ Fyzee, Murad (1991). Aircraft and engine perfect: the story of JRD Tata who opened up skies for his country. Tata McGraw-Hill Pub. Co. p. 39. ISBN 9780074601204.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Chowdhry, Mohindra S. (2018). "7. Sikhs in the Second World War". Defence of Europe by Sikh Soldiers in the World Wars. Troubador Publishing Ltd. p. 369. ISBN 9781788037983.
  6. ↑ Rao, Prof L. S. Seshagiri (2000). J. R. D. TATA. Sapna Book House (P) Ltd. ISBN 9788128017438.
  7. ↑ Singh, Farida. "Brothers-in-Arms : The Flying Engineer Brothers". www.bharat-rakshak.com. Archived from the original on 19 February 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Aspy Engineer (1912–2002) – SP's Aviation". www.sps-aviation.com. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  9. ↑ "1930 | 0519 | Flight Archive". www.flightglobal.com. Archived from the original on 21 February 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  10. ↑ Burge, Cyril G. (1930). The Air Annual of the British Empire. Gale & Polden.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Cluett, Douglas; Nash, Joanna; Learmonth, Bob; Sutton Libraries and Arts Services (1980). "2. Life at the Airport". Croydon Airport: the great days, 1928-1939 : [by] Douglas Cluett, Joanna Nash, Bob Learmonth. Sutton, Surrey (Central Library, St Nicholas Way, Sutton, Surrey): London Borough of Sutton Libraries and Arts Services. pp. 16–18. ISBN 0950322482. OCLC 16475697.
  12. ↑ "1930 | 0464 | Flight Archive". www.flightglobal.com. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  13. ↑ Engineer, Air Marshal Aspy. "Air Marshal Aspy Engineer's Recollections". www.bharat-rakshak.com. Archived from the original on 17 February 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2019.

External links[edit | edit source]

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