Dilbagh Singh (aviator)
Encyclopedia
Air Chief Marshal Dilbagh Singh (March 10, 1926 – February 9, 2001) was the head of the Indian Air Force
from 1981 to 1984, as Chief of the Air Staff
. He was the second Sikh
to hold that position.
Dilbagh Singh was commissioned as a pilot in 1944. His operational flying career spanned the Spitfire
to introducing the MiG-21
into service in India. He had earlier made the first official "Supersonic Bang"
over India in New Delhi
when the Mystere IV-A
was showcased in a public demonstration.
He served as India’s Ambassador
to Brazil
from 1985 to 1987.
Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian armed forces. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict...
from 1981 to 1984, as Chief of the Air Staff
Chief of the Air Staff (India)
The head of the Indian Air Force is known as the Chief of the Air Staff . The position was held by an Air Commodore , by an Air Vice-Marshal and by an Air Marshal . In 1965, the position was upgraded to that of an Air Chief Marshal...
. He was the second Sikh
Sikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
to hold that position.
Dilbagh Singh was commissioned as a pilot in 1944. His operational flying career spanned the Spitfire
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s...
to introducing the MiG-21
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. It was popularly nicknamed "balalaika", from the aircraft's planform-view resemblance to the Russian stringed musical instrument or ołówek by Polish pilots due to...
into service in India. He had earlier made the first official "Supersonic Bang"
Sonic boom
A sonic boom is the sound associated with the shock waves created by an object traveling through the air faster than the speed of sound. Sonic booms generate enormous amounts of sound energy, sounding much like an explosion...
over India in New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
when the Mystere IV-A
Dassault Mystère IV
|-See also:-External links:*...
was showcased in a public demonstration.
He served as India’s Ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
from 1985 to 1987.