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Air India First Flight Covers
The Legacy Continues.
Air India First Flight Covers
The Legacy Continues.
Route Evolution 1961 - 1970
Air India entered the jet age on 21 February 1960 when it took delivery of the first Boeing 707-437 registered VT-DJJ. The aircraft was initially named "Annapurna" upon delivery, but following a minor fire during a Bombay to Calcutta flight a few years later was re-christened as "Gaurishankar". VT-DJI, the second aircraft delivered and who had been originally named "Gaurishankar", was re-christened as "Nandadevi" at this time.
Air India First Flight Cover Tokyo Bombay
16 January 1961
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707-437 jet engine.
Name of Aircraft: Everest
Registration mark: VT-DJK
Air India First Flight Cover Bombay Tokyo
25 January 1961
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707-437 jet engine.
Name of Aircraft: Nanda Devi
Registration mark:VT-DJI
Pilot: Capt. E.R.. Gilder
Tokyo was connected to Bombay via Calcutta , Bangkok and Hong Kong.
Maharajah is shown here riding Piggy back on a Maharajah Doll with other Japanese dolls holding a Wagasa(umbrella).
The Majarajah can be seen here with a Japanese girl wearing the traditional Kimono dress and a Wagasa (umbrella).
Kimonos are made from various handmade and hand-decorated fabrics. Traditionally, these include linen, silk, and hemp.
Traditional Japanese umbrella (wagasa), is made of rice paper (washi) and bamboo.
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1961 Private ffc in monocolor
Though the first flight to Tokyo was on 7th May 1955 this flight signifies first flight to Tokyo using a Jet Engine. Traditionally all flights start from Bombay this first flight took off from Tokyo to Bombay on the 16th Jan 1961 and flew back to Tokyo on 25th Jan 1961.
The stops between Bombay and Tokyo were Calcutta, Bangkok and Hong Kong.
Tokyo Bombay sector with Calcutta stop, arrival cancel of 18th
Tokyo Bombay sector with Bombay stop, arrival cancel of 18th
Both are Bombay Tokyo covers flown on the first flight and returned by Surface or Sea Mail back to New Delhi.
Air Mail postcard with Indian Philatelic Bureau , Calcutta GPO cancel and a rectangular Air India stamp on all, showing all stops from Calcutta.
Flight arrived Calcutta at 00:15 and departed at 01:00.
To Bangkok with delivery cancel of Bangkok GPO on 26th.
To Hong Kong with delivery cancel of Hong Kong and an Agricultural show cancel on 26th.
To Tokyo with delivery cancel of Tokyo AP on 26th.
Air India's last Super- Constellation Service from Europe Left Prague for Bombay via Zurich and Beirut. Operated by VT-DIL Rani of Nilgiri's (Capt. R. Bhatia)
Air India First Flight Cover Bombay Nairobi
4 May 1961
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707-437 jet engine.
Pilot: Capt P.D. Byramjee
Name of Aircraft: Kanchenjunga
Registration mark: VT-DMN
First flight to Nairobi was on 21st Jan 1950 via Aden. Boeing 707 being used to Nairobi for the first time.
Bombay to Nairobi on 4th May 1961 and Nairobi to Bombay on 5th May 1961.
The cover shows a typographical design of the destination and silhouette of a Boeing aircraft.
This is another example of Quadrille paper effect due to storage in Quadrille pages.
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Air India First Flight Cover Rome Bombay New York
04 May 1961
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707 jet engine.
On 3 May 1961, Zurich was discontinued as a scheduled halt on the U.K. route.
Rome was introduced as a halt instead.
This cover was flown on the return non-stop flight from Rome to Bombay on 4 May 1961. Source: Indianairmails.com
Air India First Flight Cover Wein Rome Bombay 23 May 1961
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707 jet engine.
Wien (Vienna) was introduced as a stop via Rome to Bombay on 23 May 1961.
The cover gives lot of details it says on the route of the Flying Carpet, Europa to India in 8 hours, direct flight to Tokyo from Delhi, Maharajah service to New York.
International airmail exhibition cancel of 15th May .
All covers are usually addressed to Bombay, found a variety addressed to FPO 660 C/O 56APO.
Delivered to 56APO on 27th May 1961 & FPO660 on31 May1961.
Air India began Comet 4 services linking Bombay with Madras and Singapore-Djakarta on 5th April 1962.
7th April 1962 on Bombay-Karachi-Bahrein-Kuwait.
Comet chartered from BOAC and operated by BOAC crew.
Air India First Flight Cover Bombay Moscow
6 April 1962
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707-437 jet engine.
Pilot: S.F. Pedder
Name of Aircraft: Dhaulagiri
Registration mark: VT-DNY
Moscow was connected directly to Bombay, Tashkent was omitted, earlier was from Delhi.
Bombay to Moscow: 6th April 1962- 6380 kms
Moscow to Bombay: 7th April 1962- 6380 kms.
The monument shown here is the Saint Basil's Cathedral,
The Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed , commonly known as Saint Basil's Cathedral, is a church in Red Square in Moscow, Russia and is one of the most popular symbols of the country. The building, now a museum, is officially known as the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat or Pokrovsky Cathedral . It was built from 1555–1561 on orders from Ivan the Terrible and commemorates the capture of Kazan and Astrakhan. It was the city's tallest building until the completion of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower in 1600.
Cover signed by Pilot.
Aircraft: Dhaulagiri VT-DNY
Captain: S.F. Pedder
An Information leaflet(inset) with the Flight cover giving all details.
Aircraft: Dhaulagiri VT-DNY
Captain: S.F. Pedder
Bombay to Moscow: 6th April 1962- 6380 kms
Moscow to Bombay: 7th April 1962- 6380 kms
Air India First Flight Cover Bombay Bahrain
04 May 1962
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707-437 jet engine,
Name of Aircraft: Annapurna,
Registration Mark: VT-DJJ
Pilot: Capt. A.M. Kapoor
Air India First Flight Cover Bahrain Bombay
04 May 1962
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707-437 jet engine,
Name of Aircraft: Everest ,
Registration Mark: VT-DJK
Pilot: Capt. D.J. Bilimoria
Bahrain was introduced as a scheduled stop in Bombay UK sector.
Bombay to Bahrain: 2nd May 1962- 2420 kms
Bahrain to Bombay: 4th May 1962- 2420 kms
The Maharajah is seen here wearing the thawb or thobe with a Ghutrah and Agal . The lady with him is wearing a transparent veil.
Thawb is an ankle-length Arab garment, usually with long sleeves generally made of cotton, similar to a robe, kaftan or tunic.
The agal , also spelled iqal, egal or igal, is an accessory worn usually by Arab men. It is a black cord, worn doubled, used to keep a ghutrah in place on the wearer's head.It is traditionally made of goat hair. Ghutrah is a traditional Middle Eastern headdress fashioned from a square scarf, usually made of cotton.
Cover signed by Pilot.
Bombay to Bahrain: 2nd May 1962- 2420 kms
Aircraft: Annapurna VT-DJJ, Captain: A.M. Kapoor
Bahrain to Bombay: 4th May 1962- 2420 kms
Aircraft:Everest VT-DJK, Captain: D.J. Bilimoria
Air India First Flight Cover Bombay Sydney
07 May 1962
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707-437 jet engine,
Name of Aircraft: Nanga Parbat,
Registration Mark: VT-DNZ
Pilot- Bombay to Singapore: Capt T.R. Healy.
Pilot-Singapore to Sydney: Capt S.F.Pedder.
Boeing 707 was introduced on the Sydney route via Singapore.
Distance: 11,119 Kms
Bombay to Sydney: 7th May 1962
Sydney to Bombay: 9th May 1962
Here the Maharajah is seen with a Koala Bear.
The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus, or, inaccurately, koala bear) is an arboreal herbivorous marsupial native to Australia.
Cover signed by the Pilot S.F. Pedder.
Bombay to Singapore
Aircraft:Nanga Parbat VT-DNZ
Pilot:Capt T.R. Healy.
Singapore to Sydney
Pilot:Capt S.F.Pedder.
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Some private mail which flew this flight.One addressed to Sussex England. The other to Nellore Dist in South India with a delivery cancel.
Both with Sydney Bombay Flight cachet.
On June 8, 1962 the airline’s name was officially truncated to Air India following passing of bill by Parliament . Three days later, Air India became the world’s first all-jet airline with the retirement of the last L-1049A Super Constellation.
Air India First Flight Cover Bombay Perth
01 October 1962
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707 jet engine,
Aircraft: Nangaparbat
Registration Mark: VT-DNZ
Pilot: Capt. M.R. Mistry
Bombay Perth Bombay both flight covers signed by Pilot? Crew? or Dignitaries present on the flight?
Any information will be appreciated.
Perth was introduced as a stop on the Sydney route instead of Darwin.
Frequency of service: Once a week.
Here the Maharajah is seen seated on a Black Swan with a bunch of tulips in his hand.
The black swan (Cygnus atratus) is a large waterbird, a species of swan which breeds mainly in the southeast and southwest regions of Australia.
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Shown here are 2 private covers flown Perth to Bombay.
Re-enactment of the first flight of 1932 on
15 October 1962
Type of Aircraft: De Havilland DH85/Leopard Moth
Registration Mark: VT-AKH
Pilot: JRD Tata
The original Service by Puss Moth VT-ADN was also flown by JRD Tata.
JRD Tata re-enacted his original flight of 1932 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of his airline. On 15th October 1962 at the age of 58 he flew from Karachi to Bombay via Ahmedabad in a Leopard moth as no puss moth could be found.
JRD Tata re-enacted the historic flight again in 1982, this cover bears a dual cancellation and stamp specially issued to commemorate and honour JRD Tata.
On 15th October 1962 JRD Tata flew solo as he did in 1932, with a fuel stop in Ahmedabad. The fuel was brought in a bullock drawn cart with a 4 Gallon Petrol can and hand filled manually as it was done 30 years ago. He touched down Juhu Aerodrome strip at 04.40pm.
Air India souvenir cover signed by
Pilot J.R.D. Tata.
J.R.D. Tata was a man of principles, he always dated his signatures. But when signing on flight covers if it was taken on same day he will date it. If it was taken any other day than the date on the flight cover he will simply sign and not date it.
Air India First Flight Cover Geneva Sydney
01 April 1963
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707 jet engine,
This is the flight cover for Boeing 707 from Geneve to Sydney
Air India First Flight Cover Geneva Singapore
01 April 1963
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707 jet engine,
Coming Soon
Air India First Flight Cover Bombay Nandi
03 August 1964
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707 jet engine,
On 3rd August 1964, the Sydney route was extended to Fiji(Nandi) Islands.
Frequency of service: Once a week.
The Maharajah is shown here as a Traffic Policeman wearing a Sulu.
A Sulu is a kilt-like garment worn by men and women in Fiji since colonisation in the nineteenth century. It was originally imported by missionaries coming from Tonga in this time period and was worn by Fijians to indicate their conversion to Christianity. It is now regarded as Fiji's national dress.
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The journey of His Holiness Pope Paul VI from Rome to Bombay by Air India
02 December 1964
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707-437 jet engine,
Name of Aircraft: Nanga Parbat,
Registration Mark: VT-DNZ
Pilot: Capt. Shirodkar
Pope Paul VI became the first holy father to visit India, when he arrived to celebrate the 38th International Eucharistic Congress in the city.
Air India souvenir cover for International Philatelic Exhibition Geneva
20 May 1966
International philatelic exhibition Geneva 20th May 1966 .
Air India issued a special cover to commemorate this, though what was Air India's contribution to this exhibition is not known.
The top cover also has a stamp with a cachet from Geneva to Moscow. In 1968 the Summer Olympics took place in Mexico, from October 12 to 27, 1968. Moscow and Los Angeles were the only 2 cities to bid for it.The 1968 Winter Olympics, officially known as the X Olympic Winter Games (French: Les Xes Jeux olympiques d'hiver), were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1968 in Grenoble, France, and opened on 6 February. Thirty-seven countries participated. There was one participant from India also, no medal won by India.
Air India's Favourite Mascot can be seen here in different avatars. A beautiful cover.
Air India special cover to Commemorate the Aerophilately day and the Austrian Air mail Exhibition
Air India sent their greetings for the Austrian Air Mail exhibition to commemorate the Aerophilately day on 3rd June 1966 in Wien.
Air India First Flight Cover Bombay Teheran
01 April 1967
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707-337B jet engine,
Name of Aircraft: Annapurna,
Registration Mark: VT-DVA
Pilot: Capt. R.V. Godrej
Teheran in Iran was connected to Bombay on 1st April 1967 as a Mid east point to New York.
The cover shows Cyrus the great with his attendants holding an umbrella for protection from Sun, and Trimurti statue from the Elephanta caves.
Cyrus the great was the founder of the Achaemenid Empire, the first Persian Empire.
Air India First Flight Cover Bombay Brussels
05 April 1967
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707-337B jet engine,
Name of the Aircraft: Annapurna.
Registration Mark: VT-DVA
Pilot: Capt. S.C.Maulik(Bombay-Teheran), Capt.N.J. Shroff(Teheran to Brussels).
Capt.R. Gouba(Brussels to Teheran), Capt. S.C. Maulik(Teheran to Bombay)
Frequency of service : Once a week
Brussels was added to the network on 5th April on the Bombay UK route.Maharajah is shown holding an umbrella below the famous sculpture Manneken Pis .
Manneken Pis is a landmark small bronze sculpture in Brussels, depicting a naked little boy urinating into a fountain's basin. It was designed by Hiëronymus Duquesnoy the Elder and put in place in 1618 or 1619.
Air India First Flight Cover Bombay Mauritius
15 August 1967
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707-337B jet engine,
Name of the Aircraft: Lhotse.
Registration Mark: VT-DSI
Pilot: Capt. R.V. Godrej
Mauritius was connected Non-Stop to the network on 15th August 1967.
Frequency of Service: Once a fortnight
Maharajah is shown here feeding the DODO an extinct bird. Due to its short wings and bulky body the dodo could not fly or flee in the face of danger and as such the Dodo was a very easy prey. Last sighted end of 16th century.
Air India First Flight Cover Bombay Kuala Lumpur
18 August 1967
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707-337B jet engine,
Name of the aircraft: Makalu (Bombay -Kuala Lumpur)
Registration Mark: VT-DPM
Name of the aircraft: Annapoorna (Kuala Lumpur - Bombay )
Registration Mark: VT-DVA
Pilot : Capt. V.N. Shirodkar
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was added to the Network on 18th August 1967.
Halt on East bound Sydney terminator and West bound Jakarta service.
Maharajah is shown here taking part in a Shadow play of The Hikayat Seri Rama.
The Ramayana helped to mold concepts of state and kingship in Malaysia. The epic probably reached Malaysia by way of Javanese traders who brought their shadow play, Wayang Kulit. Many changes developed in the Malay version Ramayana and those changes depended upon the local traditions and politics. Religious beliefs also influenced these changes since the Malays were followers of Islam.
There are literary and folktale versions of Ramayana in Malaysia. The Hikayat Seri Rama exists in both written and oral form, and the Wayang Kulit Siam is a shadow play from Kelantan on the border of Malaysia and Thailand (Siam). The Ramayana in Malaysia is used more for entertainment and social education rather than for spiritual or religious purposes. Kelantan is strongly Islamic, but it is also the main base for the Malay shadow puppet theatre.
The main purpose of the Hikayat Seri Rama is to show the ideals of righteousness, love, loyalty, and selfless devotion. This Malay version has combined elements of the Indian Sanskrit Ramayana with local traditions and beliefs to create a highly developed story which is enjoyed by many.
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Air India flight cover flown 6th April 1968 Kuwait to Geneva
Air India First Flight Cover Bombay Addis Ababa 27 October 1968
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707-337C jet engine,
Name of the aircraft: Trishul
Registration Mark: VT-DXT
Pilot : Capt. V.N. Shirodkar
Ethiopia was connected to Bombay on 30th October 1968.
Frequency of Service: Once a week.
The cover shows the Maharajah riding a bemused Donkey and dozing off.
There are 2 Panniers on the donkey's back and a water bottle .
In Ethiopia there are an estimated seven million donkeys used for transporting water, wood, building materials and people. Also has a Donkey Sanctuary.
Here is an Special cover with a big flight cachet in Amharic, the national language of Ethiopia.
The top cover has a red cancel instead of Blue.
The bottom cover is a printing error where the red seems to be missing.
Air India First Flight Cover Kuwait Zurich
29 October 1968
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707 jet engine.
Kuwait and Zurich were connected on 29th Oct 1968. Kuwait was connected to Bombay via Karachi and Bahrein.
Air India First Flight Cover Bombay Entebbe
31 October 1968
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707-337B jet engine.
Name of the Aircraft: Annapurna
Registration Mark: VT-DVA
Frequency of Service: Once a week.
Entebbe, Uganda was connected to Bombay on 31st October 1968.
Addis Ababa and Entebbe were introduced as Online stations. Air-India will have a total of 33 Online and 63 offline sales office covering 5 continents.
Here the Maharajah is seen Playing an Engalabi (traditional long drum)which has a lizard skin head, sitting on a spotted Leopard and enticing an Ugandian lady(who is carrying a cluster(hand) of bananas.
Air India First Flight Cover Bombay Amsterdam 02 April 1969
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707-337B jet engine.
Name of the Aircraft: Annapurna
Registration Mark: VT-DVA
Frequency of Service: Once a week.
Amsterdam was connected to Bombay on the UK route.
Here the Maharajah is seen sitting on the sail of the windmill with a Dutch girl who is offering him a couple of Tulips. The girl is wearing a traditional Dutch costume, she is also wearing Clogs which is a traditional footwear in The Netherlands made out of wood.
Air India First Flight Cover Teheran Zurich
02 April 1969
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707 jet engine.
Further route expansion connected Teheran and Zurich non-stop.
Air India First Flight Cover Bombay Dubai
02 July 1969
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707-437 jet engine.
Name of the Aircraft: Gaurishankar
Registration Mark: VT-DJI
Pilot: Capt. B.K. Kapadia
Frequency of Service: Once a week.
Air India First Flight Cover Dubai Bombay
05 July 1969
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707-437 jet engine.
Name of the Aircraft: Annapoorna
Registration Mark: VT-DVA
Pilot: Capt. A.R. Gupta
Frequency of Service: Once a week.
Dubai was connected to Bombay on 2nd July 1969. Dubai was an on line station on Bombay London route.
Frequency of service: Once a week.
Maharajah is seen here dressed as an Arab leading his Bedecked Ship of the Desert.
Air India First Flight Cover Dubai Geneva 30 October 1969
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707 jet engine.
On 30th October Dubai was connected to Geneva.
Air India First Flight Cover Geneva Dubai
06 November 1969
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707 jet engine.
These 6 different Flight covers are for the return flight Geneva to Dubai on 06 November 1969.
Air India First Flight Cover Bombay Abu Dhabi
1 October 1970
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707-437 jet engine.
Name of the Aircraft: Dhaulagiri
Registration Mark: VT-Dny
Pilot: Capt. B.K. Kapadia
Frequency of Service: Once a week.
Abu Dhabi was connected to the Network on 1st October 1970.
India's Gulf Service-3rd Gulf terminator introduced on Bombay Dubai Bahrein route.
Frequency of Service: Once a week.
Maharajah is seen here being greeted by an Arab on the Prayer mat(Carpet). In the back ground is the minaret of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is located in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. The largest mosque in the country, it is the key place of worship for daily prayers, Friday gathering and Eid prayers.
Air India First Flight Cover Dhahran Bombay 02 November 1970
Type of Aircraft: Boeing 707 jet engine.
This is the flight cover for Dhahran Bombay flight, Bombay Dhahran offical flight cover not seen yet.
Showing on top left corner has no stamps and is cancelled by the Comet roller cancellation. Both covers on the right are with different stamps and cancelled by the Comet roller cancellation.
The cover on the bottom Left is cancelled by the Comet roller cancellation. But the flight cachet is in Red color, others are in Blue.
The Maharajah is shown here trying to make the Camel stand / move with his lady wearing a Burkha seated on top.
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