Bharat Rakshak:Indian Air Force

MIG-21Bis of the Flying Lances

MiG-21Bis [C2113] somewhere over the Gujarat Coast. The aircraft sports the squadron markings of No.15 Squadron Flying Lances

MiG-21Bis [C2281] of No.26 Squadron "The Warriors"

MiG-21Bis [C2281] of No.26 Squadron "The Warriors" at Palam. The letters "SANU" on the nose denote the first name of the Commanding Officer of the Squadron at that time, Wg Cdr Sanu Kainikara

C2776 over the Himalayas

Yet again, the same aircraft, MiG-21bis [C2776] in a mottled green-yellow Camo Scheme flying over the Himalayas.

MiG-21s of the No.24 Squadron

A MiG-21bis [C2787] from the No.24 Squadron. The squadron now flies the powerful Su-30 Flanker.

Firing the Gasha cannon

A MiG-21bis [C2323], fires its twin-barrel 23mm GSh-23 gun during a live air exercise, in a desert environment.

Flying Daggers - the COs aircraft

The then CO of No.45 Flying Daggers Squadron, Wing Commander Zaki in a MiG-21bis [C2210].

Warrior returns

A MiG-21bis, from No.26 Warriors Squadron, adopting a three-tone green camouflage colour scheme, deploys its tail-brake parachute during landing.

MiG-21bis [C2312] "Mamba" at Pathankot

A well-camouflaged MiG-21bis [C2312] of No.3 Squadron "Cobras]" at Pathankot.

Chasing the LCA over Bangalore

An immaculate & clean MiG-21bis [C2781] in the skies over Bangalore. The aircraft was used as a chase by the ASTE during the LCAs first flight trials.

MiG-21bis from the Ankush Squadron.

A MiG-21bis [C2263] from No.21 Ankush Squadron, in colourful markings, used for air combat training. The squadron is generally based at Chandigarh.

Pre-upgrade Bison over the Himalayas

C2769 - prior to its upgrade - flying over the Himalayas

MiG-21bis from the Hawks Squadron

A two-tone [yellow and black] colour scheme of a MiG-21bis [C2316], from the No.24 Squadron, flying over the Himalayan mountain ranges.

MiG-21bis [C2788], from No.24 Hawks Squadron

A yellow-striped MiG-21bis [C2788], from No.24 Hunting Hawks Squadron, parked in a blast-pen.

MiG-21bis coming in to land at Bangalore.

A MiG-21bis [C2749], from the Aircraft & Systems Testing Establishment [ASTE], on the landing approach to Bangalore.

MiG-21 C2117 at Bangalore

An attractive MiG-21bis [C2117], in an all grey colour scheme, without any squadron markings.

Warrior before take off!

A weather-beaten MiG-21bis [C2776], from the No.26 Squadron, gets ready for take-off.

Oorials in the Sky

A pair of MiG-21bis [C2305 and C2819] flying over semi-arid terrain. The distinctive tail markings identify these two bis as aggressor aircraft. The aircraft belong to No.4 Squadron.

An unusually painted MiG-21bis at an aerobatic display.

An unusually painted MiG-21bis at an aerobatic display. This is one of the rarest schemes sported by a MiG-21. No information is available on its identity.

Warrior before take off!

Once again the same aircraft [C2776], albeit at a different angle.

TACDE-MiGs

Two MiG-21Bis aircraft of TACDE take off from Jamnagar on Sept 20, 1986. TACDE at that time was part of the ATW.