Bhavnagar is known for its ship-breaking yard at Alang. Now, for the first time, condemned fighter planes of the air force have been brought to Bhavanagar for breaking. Excitement can be sensed in the air over the new arrivals. The godown of Metal Trade Corporation, where the flying machines are kept, is thronged by curious scrap dealers and other onlookers. ‘‘They are Russian-made fighter aircraft, obtained from the Naliya air base,’’ said Bilal Lakadia of MTC. He does not know the name or the model of the flying machines. The planes were bought as scrap and the IAF erased all signs and markings, and also the wings, Lakadia said, adding, ‘‘even the receipt provided by the IAF has no mention of the model of the plane.’’ The only readable marking on the planes is SU-5. The planes are in an extremely worn-out condition and it is impossible to guess their age, said an MTC employee. Unlike ships, fighter aircraft do not offer furniture, crockery, electronic goods and other items which are always in demand. But what makes these planes special is the high-quality aluminium used to manufacture them. The planes consist of about 90 per cent aluminium and 10 per cent titanium. While aluminium will fetch around Rs 45 per kg, titanium is expected to fetch around Rs 175 per kg. One plane weighs 4 tonnes and the other about 3.5 tonnes. An MTC employee said: ‘‘The aluminium of these aircraft is better than what is extracted from ships. It is highly durable and resistant to extreme heat conditions.’’ For the workers, who have an expertise in dismantling huge ships, breaking these aircraft is a new experience. They are learning new skills, said an MTC employee.
