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Meet IAF 1: The Classic 1969 Ford Galaxie V8 Car of the Indian Air Force
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News18•08-10-2026, 16:01
Meet IAF 1: The Classic 1969 Ford Galaxie V8 Car of the Indian Air Force
- •Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh made a grand entry at the Hindan Airbase in a classic 1960s Ford Galaxie V8 bearing the registration plate IAF 1.
- •Inducted on July 30, 1969, the cream-white car served as a staff car for several Air Chiefs, including Air Chief Marshal P.C. Lal during the 1971 war.
- •The vintage vehicle features a powerful 6.4-liter V8 engine generating around 315 HP, a 3-speed automatic transmission, and luxury features of its era.
- •After serving until 1992, the car was handed over to the Palam Air Force Museum on June 10, 1993, and is now only brought out on special occasions.
Key Questions Answered
Inducted into service on July 30, 1969, the cream-white Ford Galaxie V8 served as a staff car for several Air Chiefs for over two decades, including Air Chief Marshal P.C. Lal during the 1971 war, before being handed over to the Palam Museum in June 1993.
The classic Ford Galaxie V8 features a powerful 6.4-liter V8 engine generating approximately 315 HP, a 3-speed automatic transmission, a 119-inch long wheelbase, a left-hand drive configuration, and luxury elements like a wide chrome grille and air conditioning.
The vintage vehicle is currently preserved in the Palam Air Force Museum and is no longer in daily use, being brought out exclusively on special occasions such as Air Force Day.
