WI Indian Air Force expanded earlier?

In 1932 Britain formed the Indian Air Force as part of the Auxilary Air Force. By 1938 it (if my memory of Wiki serves me correctly!), only had five Westland Wapitis on strength.
By 1943, it had been expanded to seven squadrons, and to nine Squadrons in 1945.
In recognition of their contribution, King George awarded the service the title of 'Royal' to become the Royal Indian Air Force.

There is some potential here, if the Force had been expanded earlier - a Indian pilot is cheaper than a British one - Chamberlain would've gone for that! Moreover having a local force available means you don't have to send a British one thousands of miles too soon. They could be used to reinforce either Malaya or the Middle-East.
 
Pardon my pessimism, but the creation of a Royal Colonial air force would be treated as a reservoir for third-rate aircraft and administrative and training personnel who where deemed of no value in the real war. One full step down from OTL.
 

perfectgeneral

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So just like Singapore in OTL only with more aircraft and pilots?

There were huge facilities for aircraft in Malaya and Singapore, but very little to fly off them.

Expanded earlier?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._2_Squadron,_Indian_Air_Force
Though the Indian Air Force was born with the raising of No.1 Squadron in 1933, it was to take another eight years before the second squadron could be raised. The outbreak of the second world war and the rapid influx of trained pilots and personnel saw to the availability of enough aircrew to equip a second squadron. Accordingly on 1 April 1941, No.2 Squadron, IAF was raised at Peshawar under the command of Flt Lt AB Awan.
I'd look at Hawker Hurricane I-IIc (the latter aircraft that, IOTL, were L-L to Soviet Russia) after the BoB seems won. If more officers get trained at Cranwell you could raise a new squadron every year or so. Six squadrons by 1939? That could double during wartime training and build up.
 
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Just Leo & perfectgeneral:

To, a certain extent I agree with both comments.

In that yes, an earlier expanded Indian Air Force would be a reservoir of third rate or second rate aircraft.
But that would be understandable - the South African Air Force was in a similar position - fighting the Italians in East Africa with mainly biplanes, yet they soon graduated to more modern aircraft.

I'm a bit dubious though of Hurricanes going to India instead of Russia, the Allies were petrified of a Russian colapse.

However, seems plausible to have a 2nd Squadron quicker than 'eight years'. And if a 2nd, then a 3rd - perhaps an Indian Prince gets Squadron naming rights for a contribution!
So first Army Co-op aircraft, then transport (helps in civil emergencies) e.g. Virginia/Valentia - later to Bombay (of course with a name like that), while the Co-op - branch divided into light bomber (Hind) and fighters (Gaunlet & Gladiator).
While, these aircraft wouldn't be any good against the Japanese, there would be scope for them to reinforce the Middle-East, and be re-equiped by the end of '41 with better aircraft.

It's a thought ....
 
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