MiG-21 FL flies into IAF history

[FOX80]

Two pairs of MiG-21 FLs, India's first supersonic jet, took off with a deafening roar from the runway of the Kalaikunda air base at 9.45am for one last time on Wednesday, and flew into the history of the Indian Air Force after 50 years of long association.

The iconic jet that has been flown by nearly 3 out of every 4 fighter pilots since its inception in 1963, made its final pass in a four-aircraft box formation over the tarmac area.

A separate formation by three MiG-27 MLs roared over saluting the MiG-21s (Type-77) as Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne reviewed the parade on the ground commanded by Group Captain VP Singh, commander of the Operational Conversion Unit (OCU).

A MiG-21 FL bearing tail number c-1125 was towed out of the parade square to the tune of 'Auld Lang Syne', as wing walkers marched alongside.

Flight-Lieutenant L Nagarajan, the youngest OCU pilot, handed over the Form 700 - the document log of an aircraft - of the MiG -21 to Browne, symbolizing the curtains for the fighter aircraft.

Browne in his address called it a watershed moment in the IAF's history.

"Today's event marks a watershed moment in IAF's history as we reach the end of nearly five decades of remarkable operational service rendered by this iconic fighter."

Browne also released a coffee-table book and a commemorative postal stamp to mark the occasion.

 

[Soumitra]

These iconic aircraft served us well but they were very old and demanding. Salutefor a 50 year old association

 

[akshay gehlot]

Grwat aircraft but had a bad reputation due to crashes not because of its servicibility but because of lack of advanced jet trainer and using it in very large no. for a very long time

 

[nForce]

I have a feeling that this event was more like a publicity stunt.Half of the Indians reading this news will understand that the Mig-21 has been retired, but in reality, a variant of the Mig-21 has been retired and not the entire stock.
I think this event is being highly publicized just to tell the civilian population that IAF is phasing out this jet which has a pretty bad track record in the last decade.

 

[sudhir007]

MiG-21 FL pilots recount their love affair with the iconic IAF fighter

As the iconic MiG-21 FL flied into the annals of Indian Air Force (IAF) history, fighter pilots recount their 50-year romance with fighter jet. The MiG-21 FL was in the service of the IAF for over 50 years and conducted its last sortie on Wednesday at the Kalaikunda Airbase in West Bengal.
Their phasing out is the first part of the IAF's initiative to phase out all MiG-21 fighters. The first variants, the iconic delta-wing Type 77 combat aircraft, were airborne one last time and flew a box formation as their last sortie over Kalaikunda which also signalled the end of an era in India's military aviation history.

The iconic fighter designed in erstwhile USSR was inducted in the IAF in 1963. From its pivotal role in the 1971 war against Pakistan to Kargil three decades later, the MiG-21 has formed the bedrock for most of the IAF's operations over the last five decades. For MiG pilots Wednesday was an emotional day.

"This is the first fighter which I had flown. This is like obviously my mother," said IAF fighter pilot Nagarajan L.

"It is a mixed feeling, very proud moment for me as well as very nostalgic. I have been a part of squadron, commanding a squadron which has flown this aeroplane last and is phasing it out," said VP Singh, Commanding Officer, OCU, Kalaikunda Airbase.

Yet over the years frequent crashes leading to deaths of pilots and civilians alike earned the aircraft the nicknames such as the 'flying coffin' and the 'widow maker'. Not all, however, agree to that tag.

This aircraft especially, it was a pure manual aircraft. You can feel each and every happening, whatever is happening in the instruments or on the airframe, you can feel it on your body. You fly it with feel. So that feeling, you are getting detached from that feeling that is why people are feeling sad," said Fighter Pilot and Instructor Manav Kumaria.

The iconic aircraft would surely retain a special place in the hearts of the men and women in blue. But it is perhaps also true that mothballing the MiG-21 type 77 could bring closure to those grieving hearts of this country who lost their dear ones in these derogatorily termed 'flying coffins'.

Unfortunately due to repeated accidents, the MiGs are only remembered for their controversies, but former Air Vice Marshal K Khanna said the fighter must be saluted for serving the nation for over five decades. He said that MiG-21 FL was the fastest aircraft in its time and deserved Bharat Ratna.

 

[acetophenol]

MiG-21 Bisons will stay.

MiG-21 FL pilots recount their love affair with the iconic IAF fighter

As the iconic MiG-21 FL flied into the annals of Indian Air Force (IAF) history, fighter pilots recount their 50-year romance with fighter jet. The MiG-21 FL was in the service of the IAF for over 50 years and conducted its last sortie on Wednesday at the Kalaikunda Airbase in West Bengal.
Their phasing out is the first part of the IAF's initiative to phase out all MiG-21 fighters. The first variants, the iconic delta-wing Type 77 combat aircraft, were airborne one last time and flew a box formation as their last sortie over Kalaikunda which also signalled the end of an era in India's military aviation history.

The iconic fighter designed in erstwhile USSR was inducted in the IAF in 1963. From its pivotal role in the 1971 war against Pakistan to Kargil three decades later, the MiG-21 has formed the bedrock for most of the IAF's operations over the last five decades. For MiG pilots Wednesday was an emotional day.

"This is the first fighter which I had flown. This is like obviously my mother," said IAF fighter pilot Nagarajan L.

"It is a mixed feeling, very proud moment for me as well as very nostalgic. I have been a part of squadron, commanding a squadron which has flown this aeroplane last and is phasing it out," said VP Singh, Commanding Officer, OCU, Kalaikunda Airbase.

Yet over the years frequent crashes leading to deaths of pilots and civilians alike earned the aircraft the nicknames such as the 'flying coffin' and the 'widow maker'. Not all, however, agree to that tag.

This aircraft especially, it was a pure manual aircraft. You can feel each and every happening, whatever is happening in the instruments or on the airframe, you can feel it on your body. You fly it with feel. So that feeling, you are getting detached from that feeling that is why people are feeling sad," said Fighter Pilot and Instructor Manav Kumaria.

The iconic aircraft would surely retain a special place in the hearts of the men and women in blue. But it is perhaps also true that mothballing the MiG-21 type 77 could bring closure to those grieving hearts of this country who lost their dear ones in these derogatorily termed 'flying coffins'.

Unfortunately due to repeated accidents, the MiGs are only remembered for their controversies, but former Air Vice Marshal K Khanna said the fighter must be saluted for serving the nation for over five decades. He said that MiG-21 FL was the fastest aircraft in its time and deserved Bharat Ratna.

Do they give Bharat Ratna to non living things??????????????/