Baripada: Almost all in Odisha are well aware of the iconic ‘Dakota’ aircraft once used by legendary leader and former chief minister Biju Patnaik. One of the Dakotas, earlier owned by him, was recently brought to Odisha from Kolkata and put on display on the premises of Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar.
But not many know about the Dakota once used by the last Independent king of erstwhile Mayurbhanj princely state Pratap Chandra Bhanjadeo, who was an expert pilot. The king sold the plane to the Odisha government for a token money of Rs 1 in 1958. This vintage plane is now adorning the premises of Hotel Mayfair in Bhubaneswar.
There is an interesting story behind this Dakota. During the World War-II, the king of Mayurbhanj extended help to the British government, which returned the favour by gifting him this aircraft. The Dakota bearing registration no -VT-CNOY and model no – D18 STUN was manufactured by USA’s Douglas Aircraft Corporation in 1942. One of the most successful military transport aircraft designs in history, the aircraft was widely used by the Allies during the World War II.
On its maiden flight to Odisha, the aircraft landed at airstrips at Rasagobindapur and Rajabasa. The king also used to fly it, source said.
On January 1, 1949, Mayurbhanj princely state formally merged with Odisha province. King Pratap Chandra Bhanjadeo had signed the merger agreement in New Delhi on October 17, 1948, in the presence of Home Minister Sardar Balabh Bhai Patel. At that time, the king donated a number of his assets, including the Dakota, to the Odisha government. Legendary leaders like Harekrusha Mahatab and Biju Patnaik used to fly in this aircraft until it was sold to a private company in 1975.
The company repaired and remodelled the aircraft before selling it to Coal India Limited, which used it for flying officials for over two decades. The aircraft was found unfit for flying in 1994 and was sold as scrap in 1996.
The Mayfair Group of Hotels & resorts, realising its long glorious history, purchased it to perpetuate its memory.
