37-50
1937 Delhi - Bombay via Gwalior, Bhopal & Indore
1937 Delhi - Bombay via Gwalior, Bhopal & Indore
As part of its programme for a network of civil air routes in India, Tata introduced a direct mail from Bombay to Delhi via Indore, Bhopal and Gwalior. The aeroplane used on the first flight was a Waco YQC-6 biplane VT-AIX, piloted by J R D Tata and Nevill Vincent.
This service was made possible by the support of the three Indian states of Gwalior, Bhopal and Indore who paid subsidies and provided aerodrome facilities.
The cachet above was used as a canceller at Bhopal only. At Lashkar in Gwalior, a violet four line boxed cachet FIRST FLIGHT / DELHI-BOMBAY / 8th NOV.1937 / LASHKAR, GPO was applied as a canceller, with a similar cachet dated 10th NOV.1937 applied on the return flight. An official exception to the rule banning the use of Convention States stamps on airmail letters was made on this flight. Gwalior stamps were affixed to 11 letters to Bombay and 23 to Delhi, all receiving the Lashkar cachet as canceller.
Anstee states that a very few covers were signed by the pilots, Mr Nevill Vintcent, Mr N S Seayl and FLt H S Mayes. However, both Stroud and the Air-India website state that the first flight were piloted by Nevill Vintcent and J R D Tata.
This service was made possible by the support of the three Indian states of Gwalior, Bhopal and Indore who paid subsidies and provided aerodrome facilities.
The cachet above was used as a canceller at Bhopal only. At Lashkar in Gwalior, a violet four line boxed cachet FIRST FLIGHT / DELHI-BOMBAY / 8th NOV.1937 / LASHKAR, GPO was applied as a canceller, with a similar cachet dated 10th NOV.1937 applied on the return flight. An official exception to the rule banning the use of Convention States stamps on airmail letters was made on this flight. Gwalior stamps were affixed to 11 letters to Bombay and 23 to Delhi, all receiving the Lashkar cachet as canceller.
Anstee states that a very few covers were signed by the pilots, Mr Nevill Vintcent, Mr N S Seayl and FLt H S Mayes. However, both Stroud and the Air-India website state that the first flight were piloted by Nevill Vintcent and J R D Tata.
Director-General's and Postal Notices for this flight
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Postal Notice
5th November 1937 Click on image to enlarge it. 
Postal Notice
3 November 1939 Click on image to enlarge it. 
Director-General's Circular No. 3
19 October 1941 Click on image to enlarge it. |
Postal Notice
24 October 1938 Click on image to enlarge it. 
Director-General's Circular No. 68
31 October 1940 Click on image to enlarge it. 
Director-General's Circular No. 80
1 November 1941 Click on image to enlarge it. |
Postal Notice
24 April 1939 Click on image to enlarge it. 
Postal Notice
31 October 1940 Click on image to enlarge it. 
Postal Notice
27 April 1942 Click on image to enlarge it. |
Postal Notice
25 April 1939 Click on image to enlarge it. 
Director-General's Circular No. 3
19 October 1941 Click on image to enlarge it. 
Postal Notice
19 October 1942 Click on image to enlarge it. |
Postal Notice
29 March 1948
Click on image to enlarge it.
29 March 1948
Click on image to enlarge it.
S 1-1, Delhi - Gwalior
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S 1-2, Delhi - Bhopal
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S 1-3, Delhi - Indore
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S 1-4, Delhi - Bombay
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S 2-2, Gwalior - Bhopal
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Airmail cover from Gwalior to Bhopal on First Delhi Bombay Flight, franked 2a and cancelled
GWALIOR R.S./ 8 NOV. 37. Delivery mark applied at back BHOPAL / DELY. / 8 NOV. 37.
GWALIOR R.S./ 8 NOV. 37. Delivery mark applied at back BHOPAL / DELY. / 8 NOV. 37.
S 2-3, Gwalior - Indore
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Cover flown from Lashkar (Gwalior) to Indore. Cancelled 8 Nov 1937, and delivery stamp dated 8 NOV 37.
S 2-4, Gwalior - Bombay
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S 3-3, Bhopal- Indore
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S 3-4, Bhopal- Bombay
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NIC
(Image Courtesy: Terry Hare-Walker)
(Image Courtesy: Terry Hare-Walker)
S 4-4, Indore - Bombay
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N 1-1, Bombay - Indore
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N 1-2, Bombay - Bhopal
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N 1-3, Bombay - Gwalior
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N 1-4, Bombay - Delhi
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37-50
First Flight by Tata Sons Ltd
Bombay to Delhi, 10th November 1937
ISC 37-55: Large Registered cover franked 15 annas and carried on this flight.
First Flight by Tata Sons Ltd
Bombay to Delhi, 10th November 1937
ISC 37-55: Large Registered cover franked 15 annas and carried on this flight.
N 2-2, Indore - Bhopal
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N 2-3, Indore - Gwalior
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N 2-4, Indore - Delhi
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Cover flown from Indore to Delhi. Cancelled 10 Nov 1937, and delivery stamp dated 10 NOV 37.
N 3-3, Bhopal - Gwalior
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Cover flown from Bhopal to Lashkar (Gwalior). Cancelled 10 Nov 1937, and delivery stamp dated 10 NOV 37.
N 3-4, Bhopal - Delhi
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Cover flown from Bhopal to Delhi. Cancelled 10 Nov 1937, and delivery stamp dated 10 NOV 37.
N 4-4, Gwalior - Delhi
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