Bharat Rakshak:Indian Air Force

1/48 Academy MiG 21 FL (Kukke's MiG)

Polly Singh

Indian Air Force ferried its first MiG 21, an F-13 (Izdeliya-74) on 23 May 1963 from Bombay to Chandigarh almost exactly 50 years ago. Since then it has operated roughly 750 Migs of nearly nine variants. In 1969 an aerobatic team of five Mig 21 FL (Izdeliya 77) was set up at Hindon. Drawing aircraft and crew from Nos 29 and 47 Sqns (the Scorpions and Black Archers respectively) the team became the “Scorchers”. Many western publications have shown these aircraft to be painted pink; however, they were painted orange in the typical pattern of contemporary Soviet MiG 21 and MiG 19 aerobatic teams.

Flt Lt KS “Kukke” Suresh Flt Cdr of 47 sqn was tasked for solo aerobatics on the MiG 21. His was the last ‘act’ at fire power demos over the Tilpat air to ground range after the “Scorchers’ and his display is still considered ‘legendary’. Kukke had just received the VrC (equivalent to the DFC) for his actions in the war with Pakistan in Dec 71. Then, assigned as an instructor on Hunters with the Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) Kukke’s unit with only four Hunters was thrown against an entire Pakistani Armoured regiment trying to sneak into India’s weak underbelly in the Rajasthan desert. In two and a half days the unit decimated the Pakistani Armour in a unique aircraft versus tank battle at Longewalla. On one occasion Kukke stunned by a tank’s main gun firing head on at him whilst in the dive, impacted the desert floor but limped back with a crushed jet pipe whilst getting only 180 Kts at full throttle.

Kukke went on to command a MiG 21 sqn and retired from the IAF due medical reasons. He sadly succumbed to cancer in 2004.

Kukke’s MiG was painted much like the Scorcher’s aircraft but with additional highlights to enhance the overall effect. A black and white chequerboard-like scheme was painted on the wings and tail and the IAF roundel on the nose was painted up as an eye. One anecdotal reference suggests that the port side was painted with a closed eye so that when the aircraft rolled past the crowd it would appear to wink at them. However I was chary to attempt that and kept the same eye on both sides.

The model is Academy’s PF a reasonable rendition of a MiG 21 (until and Eduard one comes along??). I used Vallejo acrylics and the ‘eyes’ are hand painted around Bright Spark IAF decals. The pilot is modified Italeri USAF F-5 B figure.

We miss you Kukke!!