I’ve often lamented the sorry state of India’s aerospace museums — and the @IAF_MCC museum at Palam has borne the brunt of my vitriol. No longer! So much has changed, and more is planned. I am excited for the future!
Starting with this sublime Lysander, bearing 1 Sqn markings.
Starting with this sublime Lysander, bearing 1 Sqn markings.
But today I focused on the jets. Near the Lysander stands this beautifully restored Thunderbolts Hunter (precursor to @Suryakiran_IAF)
Two Su-7s! One complete example lovingly restored in camo. The other is the tail section of Wg Cdr HS Mangat’s aircraft. Commanding No.32 sqn ‘Thunderbirds’ in the offensive air support role in 1971, he was hit by a Sidewinder but managed to recover the aircraft safely.
C779 isn’t the only MiG-21FL at the museum — here’s the other one, in an evocative striped paint scheme, similar to an aircraft operated by No. 29 sqn ‘Scorpios’ during 1971.
This Hawker Hunter gets two paint jobs. This side bears the markings of No. 14 Sqn ‘Bulls’ and the starboard bears the leaping cat of No. 23 Sqn ‘Panthers’.
“Eight Pursoot” squadron colours on this @Dassault_OnAir Mystere IVA. The bare metal finish is impeccable (no nasty silver paint by longer!) and the markings are completely accurate. The starboard side represents No. 1 Sqn ‘Tigers’.
Like the Hunter and Mystere, this @Dassault_OnAir Ouragan (aka ‘Toofani’ in @IAF_MCC service) represents two units — No. 29 Sqn ‘Scorpios’ on the port and No. 47 Sqn ‘Black Archers’ on the starboard side.
The icing though was this gleaming HF-24 Marut. Finally displayed as it should be, every bit as good as the one in Munich. Due to get squadron markings shortly (No. 31 sqn ‘Lions’).
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@DKCooper2 perhaps you can help us with this! There are two push-buttons, one red and one green, on the nose of the Marut, forward of the gun ports on the detachable part of the nosecone. No one could figure out what they might be for.
