Chennai Collector Saves Rare WWII Air Compressor from Scrap Yard
While vintage enthusiasts often showcase antique cameras, record players, or classic cars, Kakarla Mahesh from Chennai possesses something far more extraordinary: a World War 2-era air compressor once used by the Royal Air Force in Madras state to inflate aircraft tyres. This rare piece of history, now a cherished part of his collection, tells a story of preservation and passion.
The Discovery and Rescue
In 1992, the Madras Institute of Technology put several items up for public auction, including this compressor. Mahesh, then a recent graduate working as a trainee at L&T, spotted the listing in a newspaper. "It was bought by a scrap dealer. I offered him ₹2,500 for the compressor," he recalls. Despite the significant sum for his modest income at the time, Mahesh was determined to save it from being melted down into slag. His motivation was clear: to preserve a piece of history rather than let it vanish.
Restoration and Surprising Condition
With training in fixing old equipment, Mahesh took on the challenge, unsure if the compressor was functional. To his amazement, it was in pristine condition. "The moving parts had original machining marks. I reckon it saw less than six months of use during the war," says the 57-year-old. He successfully got it running using an electric motor, as the original engine had likely been dismantled for educational purposes at the institute.
Design and Historical Significance
The compressor was assembled by Bendix-Westinghouse Automotive Air Brake Company in the US and featured a portable, wheelbarrow-like design with a large metallic wheel. Notably, it lacked an air tank—a design Mahesh had never seen before—and could inflate two tyres simultaneously. Originally powered by a Briggs Model N engine from Briggs & Stratton, it was part of equipment used at the Sholavaram airstrip, a Royal Air Force base during WWII for anti-submarine operations in the Bay of Bengal.
Sholavaram Airstrip: A Hub of Activity
Commissioned in 1942 in response to Japan's annexation of Burma and Singapore, the airstrip played a crucial role in monitoring submarine threats. Post-war, it served multiple purposes:
- Taken over by the army for tank testing.
- Used as a racetrack by the Madras Motor Sports Club.
- Functioned as a landing strip for aeromodellers.
- Acted as a grain storage area during government godown overflows.
Personal Connection and Display
For Mahesh, the compressor holds deep emotional value. "My paternal uncle was an avid aeromodeller. I would accompany him when he tested flight model aircraft at Sholavaram in the 1980s," he shares. This childhood experience fueled his passion for restoration. Today, the compressor is proudly displayed in his home, where he showcases it to fellow enthusiasts, preserving a tangible link to Madras's wartime past.
