HS986 Restored Spitfire on display at IAF Museum Palam in the markings of the Advanced Flying School (AFS) based at Ambala. The chakra worn by RIAF aircraft from 1947-50 has replaced the roundels. The IAF received Spitfires in Oct. 1944 and a number of variants were taken on charge from the RAF to equip fourteen squadrons and flying schools. After Hurricanes, the entire RIAF fighter force was equipped with Spitfires by mid-1946 before the Tempest II was inducted. (mehr von HS986)
ZF4604 Kicking up a dust bath at Aero India 2019 as the LCH comes in to land after its display. Its Elbit CoMPASS electro-optical pod, chin-mounted gun and smoke pod is visible. This is the fourth Technology Demonstrator. (mehr von ZF4604)
IA1329 The IAF's first "supersonic-in-a-dive" fighter on display at IAF Museum Palam. This recently restored Mystere has the striking emblem of No. 8 Sqn. "Eight Pursoot" on the port side. It also equipped No. 1 "Tigers", No. 3 "Cobras", No. 31 "Lions" and No. 32 "Thunderbirds" Sqn. In Sept. 1965, a Mystere flown by Sq Ldr AB Devayya was intercepted and fatally damaged near Sargodha by a PAF F-104 Starfighter, which in turn was shot down by the vastly outclassed Mystere. (mehr von IA1329)
ID606 On display at the IAF Museum in Palam, where it was based. Thirty RAF Vampire NF.10s powered by the Goblin 3 were refurbished as NF.54s and delivered to the IAF between April 1954 and Aug. 1957. After restoration, the emblem of No. 10 Sqn. "Winged Daggers" is visible on the starboard side. (mehr von ID606)
X3240 On display at the HAL Heritage Centre and Aerospace Museum, Bangalore. The HPT-32 first flew on Jan. 6, 1977. Intended as a replacement for the HT-2 basic trainer, the HPT-32 had a record of accidents leading to a number of fatalities, which led the IAF to ground the aircraft in 2009. (mehr von X3240)
E1083 On display at the HAL Heritage Centre and Aerospace Museum, Bangalore. This is the prototype which first flew on March 6, 1975. An improvement over the battle-tested Folland Gnat, the Ajeet entered IAF service in 1977 till phased out in March 1991. It’s surprising that a mere 89 were built or updated by HAL. (mehr von E1083)
TU591 This MiG-27 from No. 29 Sqn. "Scorpions" is a recent addition to IAF Museum Palam. The Squadron was the last IAF unit to fly the MiG-27, which was decommissioned on 27 Dec. 2019. (mehr von TU591)
C992 Looking deadly even at rest, this MiG-21 of No. 8 Sqn. "Eight Pursoots" is a new addition to the line-up at IAF Museum Palam. For a long time the spear tip of IAF's fighter fleet, the MiG-21 has held the line through many conflicts. (mehr von C992)
C779 Under the wing of IAF Museum's An-12, this MiG-21 is a new addition. For a long time the spear tip of IAF's fighter fleet, the MiG-21 has held the line through many conflicts. C779 was flown by Wg Cdr BK Bishnoi, CO of No. 28 Sqn. "First Supersonics" on the attack on Tezgaon airfield and Government House in Dacca in Dec. 1971. (mehr von C779)
A476 Painted in the colors of the Thunderbolts, this is a new addition to IAF Museum Palam. IAF's aerobatic team formed under Wg Cdr PS Brar that was a joy to watch in its day. Thunderbolts were from No. 20 Sqn. "Lightnings", which flew the Hunter from 1959-97. (mehr von A476)
IX787 On display at IAF Museum Palam. This HT-2 of Training Command appears to have undergone restoration, judging from the fresh trainer yellow markings and neatly painted serial number. The HT-2 ab-initio trainer served the IAF for over three decades. (mehr von IX787)
HA623 Restored Tempest on display at IAF Museum Palam. It's great to see stencils on the fuselage and the chakra worn by RIAF aircraft from 1947-50 replacing the roundels. A total of 233 Tempests served the RIAF and IAF in No. 3 Sqn. "Cobras", No. 10 Sqn. "Winged Daggers", No. 4 Sqn. "Oorials", No. 7 Sqn. "Battle Axes" and No. 8 Sqn. "Eight Pursoots". Tempests were used in the 1947-48 Kashmir Operations. (mehr von HA623)
IA1012 This Mystere with an extra roundel on the front fuselage is to be found near a roundabout in Ghaziabad. The Mystère was inducted into No. 1 Sqn. “Tigers” in 1957, also equipping No. 3 “Cobras”, No. 8 “Eight Pursoots”, No. 31 “Lions” and No. 32 Sqn. “Thunderbirds”. Mystères participated in the 1961 Goa operation and wars of 1965 and 1971, till phased out in 1973. (mehr von IA1012)
K2760 Up close with the mainstay of the IAF's transport fleet, carrying senior Air Force officers to Aero India 2017. The noise from the Ivchenko AI-20 turboprop engines is something to remember as the aircraft approaches. Visible are the flare dispensers strapped to the fuselage. (mehr von K2760)