PAF's No. 15 Squadron "Cobras" draw first blood

[air marshal]

PAF's No. 15 Squadron "Cobras" draw first blood
April 10, 1959

On April 10, 1959, Flight Lieutenant M. Yunus shot down an Indian Canberra on spy mission near Rawalpindi. Illustration by Gp Capt (R) S. M. Hussaini.

The first PAF jet fighter to shoot down an enemy aircraft was F-86F Sabre No 55-005 of No 15 Squadron, the unit also known as the "Cobras". Flying this aircraft, Flight Lieutenant M Younis downed an Indian Air Force Canberra while it was on a photo reconnaissance mission high over the Rawalpindi area on 10 April 59, an Eid day. Pilot Officer Rab Nawaz was the Air Defence Controller on radar for this mission.

 

[blackops]

1959 was there any problems going out then like in that time frame

 

[air marshal]

Flight Lieutenant M. Yunus who shot down IAF Canberra on April 10, 1959. PAF's No. 15 Squadron "Cobras" draw first blood. This incident of air violation is historically significant as it was PAF's first success against the IAF.

On April 10, 1959, Flight Lieutenant M. Yunus shot down an Indian Canberra on spy mission near Rawalpindi. The IAF pilots Sqn. Ldr. J.C. Sen Gupta (pilot) and Flt. Lt. S.N. Rampal (navigator) from the IAF's No. 106 Sqn., ejected and were taken into custody.

Indian Air Force Canberra on spy mission flying over Pakistan's territory and taking photos of what they would like to be their targets. IAF Canberra was flying at a height of more than 50,000 feet.

The first PAF jet fighter to shoot down an enemy aircraft was F-86F (serial# 55-005) of No. 15 Squadron. Flight Lieutenant M Younis downed an Indian Air Force Canberra while it was on a photo reconnaissance mission high over the Rawalpindi area on April 10, 1959, an Eid day.

Flight Lieutenant M. Yunus grabbed this opportunity and fired a burst from his 12.7 mm guns that struck the Canberra at an altitude of 47,500 feet and brought it down over Rawat, near Rawalpindi. Pilot Officer Rab Nawaz was the Air Defence Controller on radar for this mission.

 

[fatman17]

shd be shifted to the mil history section - thanks!

 

[JonAsad]

OK- i admit- this is the first time i hv read about this incident- any thing on Indian Pilot?-

 

[Windjammer]

OK- i admit- this is the first time i hv read about this incident- any thing on Indian Pilot?-

The IAF pilots Sqn. Ldr. J.C. Sen Gupta (pilot) and Flt. Lt. S.N. Rampal (navigator) from the IAF's No. 106 Sqn., ejected and were taken into custody.

 

[ice_man]

i think all airforce bases in pakistan have this picture up! its quiet a famous incident

 

[F86 Saber]

Rawat? that is like 30 miles from Islamabad.......How the heck did he get that far in the first place??

 

[DANGER-ZONE]

^ because of no "EYE IN THE SKY" and "KARAKORUM EAGLE" .
Man that was the old age, pilots of that time depends upon their eyesight more then electronic intelligence and Radar. besides we must have small or low quality ground radars.

 

[SQ8]

Rawat? that is like 30 miles from Islamabad.......How the heck did he get that far in the first place??

Previous incursions had gone deeper...
But thanks to a Mouse of a leader in Ayub Khan.. who was afraid of the consequences.. no action was ever taken to appease his American Masters.
Somehow in this case.. he took it after his self esteem seemed to be in danger in front of his advisers..

 

[Windjammer]

I read to the effect that the Canberra would fly at such a height that the PAF didn't have the capability to intercept them, remember the F-104s didn't arrive until 1962. The subject IAF aircraft, after completing it's run, as it turned to head back towards India, it's said to have suddenly lost height and that's when the chasing PAF pilot closed in and opened fire.

 

[SQ8]

I read to the effect that the Canberra would fly at such a height that the PAF didn't have the capability to intercept them, remember the F-104s didn't arrive until 1962. The subject IAF aircraft, after completing it's run, as it turned to head back towards India, it's said to have suddenly lost height and that's when the chasing PAF pilot closed in and opened fire.

There were other opportunities.. where the IAF could have been intercepted... nothing to do with height.. history isnt all true..
And while the F-86 could reach that height... delayed decisions.. and scared presidents would not let it.

 

[cobra309]

cobras always pledge to nation. 15 sqn zindabad