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Category: Database
Last Updated: Monday, 10 July 2017 06:57
Written by Webmaster
Hits: 47422

Another update to the Units and Appointments Database by Anchit Gupta.  Records in the the existing database total 4200+ entries

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No.2 Squadron - Photos from the 70s

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Category: The Last Quarter: 1972-99
Last Updated: Friday, 30 June 2017 02:19
Written by Gp Capt Deb Gohain
Hits: 10152

Group Captain Gohain was commissioned in the fighter stream of 110 Pilots Course on 2 Jun 1973. After initial training He was posted to Gnat squadrons and for next seven years or so served in Nos 22, 23 and 2 Squadrons. In 1982 he converted to MiG 21M and served in 37 and 17 Squadrons. he did two instructional tenures in MOFTU where he flew MiG-21FLs and later commanded 52 Squadron. He also commanded 273 SU, an ADDC as Group Captain. A qualified FCL and graduate of Staff College, he took a premature retirement from Air Force in May 2004.

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Roundels (Independence and Chakra)

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Category: Roundels
Last Updated: Thursday, 15 June 2017 03:16
Written by Webmaster
Hits: 14635

"Chakra" markings briefly adorned Indian Air Force aircraft in 1948 and after. The notifications and the history of these markings are described here.

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The Ajeet Trainer - Short lived and scantily used

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Category: Retired Aircraft Histories
Last Updated: Monday, 12 June 2017 13:23
Written by Wg Cdr A K Gupta (Retd)
Hits: 1837
Ajeet Trainer E2427

The HAL built Ajeet Trainer is one of the odd-ball aircraft in the IAF's history. Only two examples were inducted and they were introduced at the fag end of the career of a legendary fighter. Wg Cdr A K (Lui) Gupta goes over their short career in the IAF - which lasted less than four years! 

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Panther Red One : The Sequel

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Category: Book Projects & Announcements
Last Updated: Tuesday, 30 May 2017 00:51
Written by Webmaster
Hits: 1154

The much awaited sequel to the delightful "Panther Red One: Memoirs of a Fighter Pilot". The author Air Marshal S Raghavendran is the retired Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force. In this sequel, he chronicles his career where the first book left off. Covering the staff and operational command appointments, the Air Marshal holds no punches in describing the disconnect between the government bureaucracy and the Defence procurement and planning wings.

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Hunting Harvards in the Countryside

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Category: Jets and Growth 1948-64
Last Updated: Monday, 06 March 2017 04:13
Written by Sqn Ldr B N Kesavachandran (Retd)
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In the 1950s it was not uncommon for IAF aircraft to undertake "force landings" in the country side. Squadron Leader Kesavachandran narrates the story of an 'expedition' to document the evidence for a Court of Inquiry - much before the advent of GPS,  handheld cameras, digitial media and the social media.

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The sinking of N.R.P.Vega - a first person narrative

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Category: Liberation of Goa 1961
Last Updated: Monday, 27 February 2017 13:11
Written by Air Marshal P.M.Ramachandran PVSM AVSM SC VM.
Hits: 5253

The episode of blowing up at sea of a Portuguese Patrol Boat laden with explosives off Diu by IAF on 18 Dec 1961. First person account of the sinking of NRP Vega during the Diu Operations in 1961. Air Marshal P M Ramachandran, PVSM AVSM SC VM narrates his story of that eventful sortie from 18th December 1961.

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