TRAIL OF SMOKE

 TRAIL OF SMOKE

 

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

 

29/VII/2023

 

My fascination for Tatas started way back as a child. It was my aim to become a steam engine driver and visit their factory producing ‘Steam Engines’. The YP & YG (meter gauge) and WP & WG (broad gauge) had Chittranjan Locomotive Works written on them. The trail of black smoke and steam enthralled me.

 

They were the work horses of Indian Railways in the steam era. I could watch any passing steam engine move its pistons. The smell of coal, steam oozing from everywhere, slipping of the wheels and then the constant rhythm of Chuk-Chuk it used to break into hypnotized me. Diesels came, followed by electrification, by then I lost interest in such engines. The era of steam went into oblivion. 

 

During the same period, Mercedes Benz petrol trucks came under the folds of Tatas. Standing on Kanjli river while fishing, I loved the sweet smell of their exhaust, not realising that one day my first driving lesson of a four-wheeler would be on a TMB truck in the Tons valley of IMA Dehradun.

 

The ustads used to quiz us as to why this name ‘TMB’. Tata ek industrialist ka naam hai aur ‘Massadi Ben’ unki Sali hai. Was it true? But that explanation sounded logical. Thereafter, one came across numerous heavy duty Tata trucks in the Army service.

 

While doing the Staff Course, we visited the Tata Car manufacturing plant at Pimpri. Indica had been newly launched. I remember the joy ride we took on the test track, but the car ahead left a trail of black smoke.

 

I recently heard that Tata is going to manufacture ‘transport aircrafts’ in Vadodara under licence from Spain for an Airbus called C-295. A proud moment for all Indians.

 

My first air experience was in an IL-76. Having never sat in Indian Airlines or Air India this was a unique experience. We were seated sideways and yours truly had to sit on smelly vegetable gunny bags for lack of seats. There were hardly any windows to peep outside. Once it got pressurised, our eardrums squeaked.

 

The transport squadron was flying AN-32s to Thoise from Chandigarh. We had seen ‘Dakota Packets’ with their twin tails, in Kheria in Agra. AN 32s looked quite neat and clean in comparison.

 

Being a ‘Mechanised soldier’, with hardly any knowledge of jet or propellor driven engines, what bothered me was the trail of smoke which used to emanate from aircraft engines while taking off. The “petrol” looked adulterated. Or was there engine oil getting mixed with the fuel called ‘oiling up’ in Mechanised lingo. Which meant the engine needed an overhaul. Civil aircrafts never left a smoke trail in so many movies one had seen. This trailing smoke always bugged me.

 

Though we had seen lots of white jet trails, one always doubted, what would happen if the carburettor of an aircraft got jammed mid air. One could never do the ‘Phak-Phak’ drill up above. Later, I learnt that ‘aviation fuel’ was super refined ‘Kerosene oil’.

 

Once, while proceeding on leave, I got a ride on an AN-12. We were huddled in a cabin, which we were told is pressurised. When it started, the engines ‘missed’ making loud sounds of ‘phat, phit, phatak’ producing smoke like a steam engine. God have mercy, I prayed.

 

When it taxied to take off, we were told to move into the cargo section in the rear and hold onto hanging ropes. The aircraft smelt of goat droppings and urine. Either one got out of the aircraft or flew home on chutti. I chose the latter. When it banked in the Leh valley, I spotted the trail of black smoke and looked to the heavens again.

 

Later, one had the privilege to para-jump from an AN-12. The smell of burning kerosene from its running engines didn’t bother me anymore. I had smelt enough downgraded aviation fuel burn in the smokeless ‘Bukhari’ of the Company Commander at Pangong Tso post.

 

Be that as it may. This trail of smoke helped us while participating in ‘Manning the Mast ceremony’ at the National Defence Academy, Pune. All those standing at the highest steps had to look out for three MIG-21 aircrafts approaching the quarter deck to shout ‘Baasat Course ki Jai’. Jai had to be timed perfectly with the parade, not too early and not too late.

 

The moment anyone spotted the smoke trail of the fighters which was a dead give away, we would nudge the cheerleader to shout the first the Jai. The low flying aircraft noise otherwise would drown our voices completely. With practice, we knew the exact moment to say Jai and not face the wrath of our PT Ustads.

 

I congratulate the Tatas on this big achievement but my only request is that I hope we will never see a smoke trail behind these C-295. It gives an eerie feeling. Will this message reach them? I wonder!!!!!!!!

 

JAI HIND

© NOEL ELLIS