Bharat Rakshak:Indian Air Force

E1070 over Farnborough skies

A rare colour air-to-air photograph of an IAF Gnat. What is unusual about Gnat E1070 is its overall blue scheme. This same blue scheme was believed to have been worn by the first Gnat in IAF service illustrated above IE-1059. The photograph was taken over

Gnat E1070 in blue color scheme

Gnat E1070 in formation with HAL Kiran U703 over the skies of Farnborough in Sept 72 . Adrian Balch who was flying in a Handley Page Hastings captured this beautiful photograph.

Tiger Gnat E219

Gnat E219 sported a rare Tiger stripe paint scheme while in service.

First HAL built Gnat E245

E245 was the first indigenously produced Gnat from HAL. Seen here after its roll out from the production line.

A Gnat on display at HAL

HAL Gnat on display along with other types manufactured by them. A MiG-21FL of No.8 Squadron on the background right. A HAL Kiran (U698) on the left. A HAL Basant in the rear and a Vampire (Not visible) between them. Note that the usage of flower pots as

Gnats under the heat

Operational conditions in India, with a prevalence of high temperatures and sand & dust in the atmosphere, led to some early problems with the Gnat, but these were later overcome. Portable shades help to reduce cockpit temperatures while aircraft are

Gnat Line up - An enemy pilots nightmare.

An enemy pilot's nightmare was always to be faced with the Gnat when attacking Indian targets. This image shows a line up of 12 Gnats at a forward airfield in the early 1970s.

Ready to go: A Gnat on the ORP

Parked on the Operational Readiness Platform, a Gnat is protected by camouflage netting but is all ready to go.

Diamond Formation of Gnats

Four HAL-built Gnats rehearse for a Republic Day flypast over New Delhi. Two under wing fuel tanks are normally carried by the Gnat Mk.1, an increase in internal fuel capacity being one of the major advances planned for the Gnat Mk.2 or Ajeet.

The first of the Many! - Gnat IE1059

Folland Gnat IE-1059 was the first Gnat received by the Indian Air Force in 1957. The aircraft is seen at Chilbolton, U.K. shortly before it was flown to Delhi in the cargo hold of a Fairchild C-119G Packet. The aircraft had a more blunt nose as opposed t

The First Gnat! IE1059

Folland Gnat IE-1059 was the first Gnat received by the Indian Air Force in 1957. Copyright: Ray Deacon Collection

Gnat IE1061 at Kanpur

IE1061 with the AATU, Kanpur

Gnat IE1074 on the tarmac

Ground up view of a Gnat shows the under wing detail and the pitot boom on the starboard wing.

Gnat IE1202 (GT-018)

Folland Gnat IE1202 was the first aircraft to undertake a succesful dead stick landing - under the control of Flt Lt A J S Sandhu. The aircraft was later lost in crash in 1970

Gnat IE1244 before take off

Gnat IE1244 was one of the examples built prior to the 1965 India Pakistan War. Its history and fate are not known.

Gnat IE1246 in mid flight.

Gnat IE1246 deploys its 'Air Brakes' in mid flight.

Waiting on the ground

This unidentified Gnat with a serial IE12-- awaits on the ground at an unidentified airfield

E1070-U703

Gnat E1070 in formation with HAL Kiran U703 over the skies of Farnborough in Sept 72

Gnat1968

A Colour shot of a Gnat aircraft on display duty down Rajpath during the Republic Day 1968 parade.