[FlankerFury]

Originally Posted by BlackBeard

A very potent platform apparently, our friendly neighbour on our western border is/was also a user of the P3C, one got destroyed when the Taliban overran a naval airbase in Karachi...imagine..

Well, 2 were destroyed when TTP and Al Qaeda militants infiltrated PNS Mehran in 2011. US agreed to replace the lost airframes with new ones.

https://www.dawn.com/news/637216/us-...orion-aircraft

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by BlackBeard

I had read somewhere that the LanceR upgrade was inspired by our MiG21 Bison upgrade in the mid 1990's.

Yes, it wasn't as comprehensive as the Bison upgrade and unlike our upgrade which was for the MiG-21bis airframes, the LanceR upgrade for Romania's MiG-21MF fleet. It was to make their MiG-21MFs compatible with some Western weapons(Magic IIs, Python missiles and ability to carry LGBs) , modernise the cockpit and to have communication and IFF systems compatible with NATO standards.

Originally Posted by BlackBeard

I think ex-Dutch/Danish/Norwegian F16's are replacing the MiG21s.

All of Romania's 30 F-16s are ex-Norwegian AF F-16A/B Block 15 MLUs.

Originally Posted by BlackBeard

BTW, how do you manage your vast collection? I'm assuming you have a separate room if not a house to accommodate them....

No, but In a cramped, ugly display cabinet like this All my models posted in this thread and a few new ones (not posted yet) are there in this cabinet.







I wish upgrade it, but am too lazy to do it.

[BlackBeard]

Originally Posted by FlankerFury

Well, 2 were destroyed when TTP and Al Qaeda militants infiltrated PNS Mehran in 2011. US agreed to replace the lost airframes with new ones.

Yes, I was talking about the same incident, didn't know 2 AC were lost but uncle Sam has always had Pakistan's back..major non-NATO ally for the WoT and all that, so not surprising..like I was mentioning in the other thread about the AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles which were supplied around the same time to fight the Taliban apparently...

Originally Posted by skanchan95

No, but In a cramped, ugly display cabinet like this All my models posted in this thread and a few new ones (not posted yet) are there in this cabinet.

I wish upgrade it, but am too lazy to do it.

My..My..all that stash in one location is too tempting....

I was contemplating acrylic boxes for my models but its turning out to be too expensive, almost 5K for 1 box!
Next best option is an IKEA display cabinet(s) or custom made ones, lets see what I can manage.

[FlankerFury]

You have an amazing collection. There's airliners, combat aircrafts, drones, helicopters, Tanks, trucks, jeeps, civilian cars, submarine and a Maersk container(?).
Do the container panels open to reveal a cruise missile launcher?

Originally Posted by skanchan95

Attachment 2686475

Is that a J-20? Top left corner, over the Maersk container.

I almost mistook the F-102 (or is it the F-106?) for the Mirage III
It's incredible.

[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

1:72 HAL Ajeet/Gnat Mk.2 E1983, No. 2 Sqdn "Winged Arrows", Indian Air Force 1991

Congratulations on an excellent historical aircraft. And great building and painting by Basu Roy. It just looks so beautiful. Thanks for that story on the naming. New to me!! Very cute. Oh if we had mated with Ajeet to either the heat seeking Matra or the Advanced Atoll the Ajeet would have had its air-to-air capability enhanced so many times.

I'm hoping to post some IAF models soon. Getting back into business gradually after close to 2 years.

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by BlackBeard

I was contemplating acrylic boxes for my models but its turning out to be too expensive, almost 5K for 1 box!
Next best option is an IKEA display cabinet(s) or custom made ones, lets see what I can manage.

A custom build one is more ideal. You can get one build as per your requirements( height of compartments, lighting options, etc). The biggest challenge with these cabinets is making it dust proof and keeping it dust free - both nearly impossible in our conditions.

Originally Posted by FlankerFury

You have an amazing collection. There's airliners, combat aircrafts, drones, helicopters, Tanks, trucks, jeeps, civilian cars, submarine and a Maersk container(?).
Do the container panels open to reveal a cruise missile launcher?


Is that a J-20? Top left corner, over the Maersk container.

I almost mistook the F-102 (or is it the F-106?) for the Mirage III
It's incredible.

You have sharp eye

Yes, that is a Hobbymaster F-102(Link to the earlier post on the F-102 model (Scale Models - Aircraft, Battle Tanks & Ships).

There's an Israeli Mirage IIICJ in there as well.

The J-20 is in 1/144 Scale from AF1 Link to the post on the J-20 model (Scale Models - Aircraft, Battle Tanks & Ships)

The container model is a static one ( doors do not open) but it is quite nicely detailed for a Reefer container. It is on 1:87 Scale and had got it from Aliexpress 5-6 years ago. Link (The Scale Model Thread)

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

I'm hoping to post some IAF models soon. Getting back into business gradually after close to 2 years.

Can't wait to see you back in action on this thread

[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

1:200 Lockheed P-3C Orion A9-663, No.11 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia, 1986(IF200)

The Lockheed P-3 Orion is a four-engined, turboprop anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft developed for the United States Navy and introduced in the 1960s.

An all time classic. Lockheed had the knack of designing aircraft that would be capable of evolving to better and better versions and stay in production for ever - the P-3 Orion; the C-130 Hercules; the P-2 Neptune {in production from 1947 to 1979}; even the C-5 Galaxy first entered service in 1970 and is very much around after several mid-life upgrades.

This is a beautiful model. That nose makes the Orion so handsome in profile compared to the L-188 Electra from which it was developed.

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

1:200 Lockheed P-3C Orion A9-663, No.11 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia, 1986(IF200)

Nicely detailed model of a classic aircraft.

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

An all time classic. Lockheed had the knack of designing aircraft that would be capable of evolving to better and better versions and stay in production for ever - the P-3 Orion; the C-130 Hercules; the P-2 Neptune {in production from 1947 to 1979}; even the C-5 Galaxy first entered service in 1970 and is very much around after several mid-life upgrades.

This is a beautiful model. That nose makes the Orion so handsome in profile compared to the L-188 Electra from which it was developed.

Whenever I see model of a P-3 Orion I am reminded of Skanchan's P-3 model collection . Recently I visited the Moffett Field Museum in MountainView, California for the 3rd time. Its a tiny museum which has a collection models including dozens of P-3s which I think were based in the Moffett Field base sometime. They also have a lot of retired equipment that was used in the P-3s over the decades.

One P-3 had a bad landing and was put on display outside.



The huge hanger on the left once housed a rigid airship, USS Macon which was a flying aircraft carrier in the 1930s and was lost in a crash (like 3 out of 4 similar airships in the US armed forces at the time.)

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by Foxbat

Nicely detailed model of a classic aircraft.

Whenever I see model of a P-3 Orion I am reminded of Skanchan's P-3 model collection .

There's only one other P-3 in my collection (Hogan US Navy P-3C). The C-130s, though are another matter.

That also reminds me I have to do a shot of both P-3s together.

Originally Posted by Foxbat

Recently I visited the Moffett Field Museum in MountainView, California for the 3rd time. Its a tiny museum which has a collection models including dozens of P-3s which I think were based in the Moffett Field base sometime. They also have a lot of retired equipment that was used in the P-3s over the decades.

Well, you must make a post on that

[skanchan95]

1:72 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21PF Fished-D BC827, No.28 Squadron "First Supersonics", IAF, 1965

The first of two masterpieces by the Master himself- Basu Roy.

The Type 76 MiG-21PF [P = Perekhvatchik ("Interceptor"), F = Forsirovannyy ("Uprated")] was from the second generation family of the MiG-21. It was an all weather interceptor powered by a R11F2-300 turbojet engine and fitted with the RP-21 radar. Unlike the first generation MiG-21s however, it lacked an internal cannon.

In March 1965, the Indian Air Force got the Type 76 MiG-21PF variant. Six MiG-21PFs were acquired with serial numbers from BC822 to BC827. These served alongside six Type 74 MiG-21F-13s (BC816 to BC821) that were acquired earlier. These early MiG-21s served in the IAF's No. 28 Squadron, aptly called "The First Supersonics"

These MiG-21s took part in the 1965 Indo-Pak War. One Type 76 MiG-21PF was involved in a duel with a PAF F-86 Sabre, but both K-13s fired by the MiG-21PF pilot(Wg Cdr M S D Wollen) missed the F-86 and the lack of an internal cannon proved to be costly. On September 06, 1965 two MiG-21PFs(BC823 & BC 824) and a Type 74 MiG-21F-13(BC818) were destroyed on the ground at Pathankot air base during a raid by PAF F-86s.

After the war, the remaining MiG-21PFs were upgraded with R2L radar & R-11F2S-300 engine. This was to bring them in line with Type 77 MiG-21FL that was to become the main variant in IAF service. No. 28 & 29 Sqns were the only ones to operate MiG-21PFs.

I have a personal connect with MiG-21PF BC827 becasue many years ago, I correctly identified it as a MiG-21PF (it was previous thought to be a MiG-21FL)

MiG-21PF [BC827] at School of Artillery, Deolali, Nashik
























BC827 sometime after the 1965 war(with IAF roundel moved to the nose)

[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

1:72 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21PF Fished-D BC827, No.28 Squadron "First Supersonics", IAF, 1965

The first of two masterpieces by the Master himself- Basu Roy.

Sandesh, you are a bloody legend. hats off to you my friend. I shall shamefully state I would not be able to tell the subtle differences between a PF and and FL. Your devotion to this subject is out of this world.

The model looks superb with the exact paintwork and position of colours. Congratulations. Now I know why orders with Mr Basu Roy are getting delayed.

[skanchan95]

1:72 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21FL Fished-D C750, No.47 Squadron "Black Archers", IAF, 1971
The second of the two masterful early MiG-21s built by Basu Roy.

In 1966, IAF took the first big step when it contracted for the Type 77 MiG-21FLs. FL denoting Forsazh Lokator meaning Afterburner & Radar. 38 MiG-21FLs were manufactured in the USSR and another 197 were manufactured by HAL between 1966 & 1973.

Nicknamed as Trishul(Trident) by the IAF, the Type 77 MiG-21FL was a big improvement over the Type 76 MiG-21PF. The FL had a new R2L Radar, Radar warning Receiver & larger fuel capacity. A detachable GP-9 Gunpod that housed aa twin barrel 23mm GSh cannon was mounted on the center pylon. It also had a bigger tail fin than the PF and housed a brake parachute on the base of the tail fin (The PF's brake parachute was house in the ventral chord)

The MiG-21FL served with frontline IAF squadrons:
No. 1 Sqdn "Tigers"(1966-1986)
No. 3 Sqdn "Cobras" (1972-1980)
No. 4 Sqdn "Oorials" (1966-1980)
No. 8 Sqdn "Eight Pursoot" (1969 - 2010)
No. 20 Sqdn "Lightnings" (1996-1997)
No. 28 Sqdn "First Supersonics" (1966-1986)
No. 29 Sqdn "Scorpions" (1967-1980)
NO. 30 Sqdn "Rhinos" (1969-2002)
No. 45 Sqdn "Flying Daggers" (1966-1982)
No. 47 Sqdn "Black Archers" (1968-1986)
* TACDE, OCU and MOFTU were the other units the MiG-21FL served in

and played a pivotal role in India's victory in the 1971 war. The MiG-21FL also heralded the era of using the MiG-21 for Air-to-Ground role. 500 kg Bombs were delivered at Tilpat range in 1967. For the bombing role in 1971 war, they earned the nickname “RUNWAY BUSTERS”.

IAF MiG-21FLs are confirmed to have shot down four PAF aircraft during the 1971 war
1 . MiG-21FL flown by Flt Lt Jyendra Sukrut Raj show down a PAF F-86 on December 4, 1971
2. MiG-21FL flown by Flt Lt Bharat Bhushan Soni show down a PAF F-104 on December 13, 1971
3. MiG-21FL flown by Flt Lt Samar Bikram show down a PAF F-6 on December 16, 1971
4. MiG-21FL flown by Flt Lt Niraj Kukreja show down a PAF F-104 on December 17, 1971

While the MiG-21 undoubtedly emerged victorious over the much vaunted F-104, the clash with PAF's other potent supersonic fighter - the Dassault Mirage IIIEP was inconclusive. There was one reported engagement between an IAF MiG-21FL and a PAF Mirage IIIEP in the 1971 war with the MiG-21 firing its K-13s at the Mirage IIIEP, both of which failed to hit it.

The Type-77 MiG-21FL initially had 2 hardpoints under the wing for AAMs and 1 centerline for the drop tank/GP-9 gunpod. Sometime in 80s, it was modified to have 4 wing hardpoints for AAMs/Bombs. This greatly enhanced usability.Type-77 would serve the IAF for 47 years across 11 combat Sqns, the longest of any variants, ruling the eastern skies & was extensively used in type training post 1986.

C750- The Starfighter Killer
MiG-21FL Tail no. C750 was serving with No.47 Sqdn "Black Archers" based at AFS Jamnagar during the 1971 war.


On December 13, 1971, a formation of two PAF F-104As from No. 9 Sqdn "Griffins" was tasked to strike IAF airfield at Jamnagar. Wg Cdr Mervin L Middlecoat was to lead this mission with Sqn Ldr Tariq Habib as his No.2. The formation ingressed for the strike at low level, with the Starfighters configured with wingtip tanks and two Sidewinders under the wings. Close to Jamnagar, the formation pulled-up to 2-3000 feet with target offset to their right by 2-3 miles in order to line up for their strafing runs. For some reason, Middlecoat who was leading the strike banked to the left while target was on the right. Habib gave him a call to correct this. Repositioning for the strafing run resulted in formation spending another minute or two near the target area. After repositioning the formation was again going in for a strafing run, Middlecoat gave Habib a call saying that a missile has been fired at him. Habib cleared his six but did not see anything. Moments later while exiting and over the Gulf of Kutch, Habib got a call from Middlecoat saying that he has been hit and is ejecting. Habib inquired if he could make it to overland but he replied the negative. Habib saw Middlecoat ejecting and the Starfighter going into the water while inverted. At that moment, Habib noticed a MiG-21 to his right. As he pulled up to convert behind the MiG-21 his auto-pitch control malfunctioned and the aircraft nose started oscillating. After disengaging the APC Habib safely exited from the area.
Two IAF MiG-21FLs performing CAP over Jamnagar had intercepted the Starfighters while they were lining up for the strafing run. The lead MiG-21 flown by Flt Lt Bharat Bhushan Soni had fired an Atoll missile at F-104s which missed, but was able to close-in for a gun kill. The body of Wg Cdr M L Middlecoat was never recovered.

Bharat Bhushan Soni, VrC, VM, with his MiG-21FL:


The two pilots who clashed over Jamnagar - Flt Lt Soni on the left, Wg Cdr Middlecoat on the right:












The GP-9 gunpod on the centerline
















Chasing it's shadow

[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

1:72 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21FL Fished-D C750, No.47 Squadron "Black Archers", IAF, 1971
The second of the two masterful early MiG-21s built by Basu Roy.

In 1966, IAF took the first big step when it contracted for the Type 77 MiG-21FLs. FL denoting Forsazh Lokator meaning Afterburner & Radar. 38 MiG-21FLs were manufactured in the USSR and another 197 were manufactured by HAL between 1966 & 1973.
For the bombing role in 1971 war, they earned the nickname “RUNWAY BUSTERS”.

IAF MiG-21FLs are confirmed to have shot down four PAF aircraft during the 1971 war
1 . MiG-21FL flown by Flt Lt Jyendra Sukrut Raj show down a PAF F-86 on December 4, 1971
2. MiG-21FL flown by Flt Lt Bharat Bhushan Soni show down a PAF F-104 on December 13, 1971
3. MiG-21FL flown by Flt Lt Samar Bikram show down a PAF F-6 on December 16, 1971
4. MiG-21FL flown by Flt Lt Niraj Kukreja show down a PAF F-104 on December 17, 1971

While the MiG-21 undoubtedly emerged victorious over the much vaunted F-104, the clash with PAF's other potent supersonic fighter - the Dassault Mirage IIIEP was inconclusive. There was one reported engagement between an IAF MiG-21FL and a PAF Mirage IIIEP in the 1971 war with the MiG-21 firing its K-13s at the Mirage IIIEP, both of which failed to hit it.

On December 13, 1971, a formation of two PAF F-104As from No. 9 Sqdn "Griffins" was tasked to strike IAF airfield at Jamnagar. Wg Cdr Mervin L Middlecoat was to lead this mission with Sqn Ldr Tariq Habib as his No.2. The formation ingressed for the strike at low level, with the Starfighters configured with wingtip tanks and two Sidewinders under the wings. Close to Jamnagar, the formation pulled-up to 2-3000 feet with target offset to their right by 2-3 miles in order to line up for their strafing runs. For some reason, Middlecoat who was leading the strike banked to the left while target was on the right. Habib gave him a call to correct this. Repositioning for the strafing run resulted in formation spending another minute or two near the target area. After repositioning the formation was again going in for a strafing run, Middlecoat gave Habib a call saying that a missile has been fired at him. Habib cleared his six but did not see anything. Moments later while exiting and over the Gulf of Kutch, Habib got a call from Middlecoat saying that he has been hit and is ejecting. Habib inquired if he could make it to overland but he replied the negative. Habib saw Middlecoat ejecting and the Starfighter going into the water while inverted. At that moment, Habib noticed a MiG-21 to his right. As he pulled up to convert behind the MiG-21 his auto-pitch control malfunctioned and the aircraft nose started oscillating. After disengaging the APC Habib safely exited from the area.
Two IAF MiG-21FLs performing CAP over Jamnagar had intercepted the Starfighters while they were lining up for the strafing run. The lead MiG-21 flown by Flt Lt Bharat Bhushan Soni had fired an Atoll missile at F-104s which missed, but was able to close-in for a gun kill. The body of Wg Cdr M L Middlecoat was never recovered.

Bharat Bhushan Soni, VrC, VM, with his MiG-21FL:
Attachment 2690736

The two pilots who clashed over Jamnagar - Flt Lt Soni on the left, Wg Cdr Middlecoat on the right:
Attachment 2690735

Your narration is as masterfully written as Basu's artistice skill. congratulations on this new acquisition which literally took the IAF into the Mach 2 era and made it a modern & well equipped Air Force. Middlecoat's daughter connected with BB Soni many decades later via Facebook. The bombing of Dhaka's airstrip was so accurate that some Western journalists wondered if the Soviets had given us some kind of laser guidance system - this in 1971! We only had Eyeball Mark 1. Congrats again.

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

Sandesh, you are a bloody legend. hats off to you my friend. I shall shamefully state I would not be able to tell the subtle differences between a PF and and FL. Your devotion to this subject is out of this world.

Thank you Sir.

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

The model looks superb with the exact paintwork and position of colours. Congratulations. Now I know why orders with Mr Basu Roy are getting delayed.

Yes, the man's a genius and he outdoes himself with every model he makes! I believe he is very busy with model making. If you follow him on Instagram, you'll know. If you look closely at these models, you will notice subtle difference in colours between panels on the aircraft skin....which is incredible!

Great thing about him he is very graceful in accepting ideas and requests and goes that extra mile to make a great model look even greater with subtle details which would be barely noticeable!

For e.g I was not aware that the MiG-21PF and the FL used different colors in the cockpit.. I always thought the cockpits were bluish green on all early MiG-21s.

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

The bombing of Dhaka's airstrip was so accurate that some Western journalists wondered if the Soviets had given us some kind of laser guidance system - this in 1971! We only had Eyeball Mark 1.

Yes, the Westerners were not willing to believe that the same Soviet build jets that got thrashed badly at the hands of the Israelis and were rated to be inferior to their western counterparts could perform so well in battle. Just goes on it prove that it about the man behind the machine and not just the machine! In fact, there is a book titled Moonlight Marauders by Air Marshal Teshter Master which details the story of accurate strikes deep inside Pakistan by IAF MiG-21d and Su-7s during the 1971 war. The Americans believed that these fighters were guided by a Tu-126 Moss to and back from the targets. They could not believe that IAF fighters could strike Pakistan in pitch dark nights every night.


The two of them on a single display base (which actually was Basu's idea)





















A few Photoshop edits to make them look as as if they are actually flying





Tail fin - the easiest way to distinguish between a PF & an FL.

[skanchan95]

FLt Lt B B Soni's F-104 kill