F-104 Alas the Badmash.

[Windjammer]

f-104 was inferior fighter to mig-21 in supersonic saga.almost a flop fighter.
it was effective in 1965 cuz there was no aircraft in IAF that match f-104,except mig-21 but they didnt use their few delivered mig-21 in the war.
a fuel drinking machine.

The F-104 was popularly known as Manned Missile, because of small thin wings, it was built for sheer speed to execute slicing attacks on Russian Strategic Bombers. The Delta wing Russian fighter had the advantage in maneuverability. However the F-104 served PAF well in high speed interception and strikes. As for IAF not using MIG-21s in 1965, it's because most of them were destroyed by PAF strike on Pathankot airfield.

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

f-104 was inferior fighter to mig-21 in supersonic saga.almost a flop fighter.
it was effective in 1965 cuz there was no aircraft in IAF that match f-104,except mig-21 but they didnt use their few delivered mig-21 in the war.
a fuel drinking machine.

F-104 was not at all user-friendly. Retired PAF pilots can attest to that. It had very unforgiving handling characteristics due to the short span of the wings.

It has had an appallingly poor safety record in use with some air forces but a relatively good one in others such as Pakistan Air Force --as we began to place huge emphasis and training on flight safety since mid 1960s.



Setting that aside, they served PAF well.....having flown over 360 flying hours (1965 + 1971 wars combined). Many major succeses are attributed to these aircrafts.

As you know, we have several on display throughout Pak-Zameen.




tail # 56-874 killed an indian Canberra in 1965 war......it went on to kill HF-24 marut in 1971. The aircraft is preserved at PAF Base here in Peshawar.




Starfighter 56-875 is displayed at PAF Academy in Risalpur.




56-879 is at PAF Masroor.

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

As for IAF not using MIG-21s in 1965, it's because most of them were destroyed by PAF strike on Pathankot airfield.

ahh yes the Tail Choppers

 

[Windjammer]

ahh yes the Tail Choppers

No dear, the Tail Choppers were busy in East Pakistan, the attack on Pathankot was carried out by No.19 Squadron under the command of Sajjad Haider.

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

han i know it was No 19 Squadron. Migs and Mysteres too =D

Sqdn 14 did DAMN well with the few sabres they had. But the ending was dismal, due to certain issues which we all know about. They put up one hell of a fight though till the end.

 

[Creder]

ab badmashian khatam bros....we're the underdogs now no point living in those glorious days

 

[Windjammer]

ab badmashian khatam bros....we're the underdogs now no point living in those glorious days

Rest assured dear friend, when the test arrives, i am sure we will not be disapointed.

 

[Imran Khan]

ab badmashian khatam bros....we're the underdogs now no point living in those glorious days

badmashi khatam nhi ho gee ye dekh hum ne nai badmash rakh liye hai.in this pic sir qamer say.we will fck with this f-16 if some one make mess with us

our new badmash

 

[Windjammer]

han i know it was No 19 Squadron. Migs and Mysteres too =D

Sqdn 14 did DAMN well with the few sabres they had. But the ending was dismal, due to certain issues which we all know about. They put up one hell of a fight though till the end.

PAF Strike on Kalaikunda@14 Squadron.

 

[Windjammer]

 

[Windjammer]

Discussed Earlier, the Pathankot Strike in which most of the MIG-21s were destroyed

 

[Solomon2]

I understand that one of the worst features of this aircraft was that the ejection seat blasted downwards. So if there was an engine problem at takeoff the pilot faced the choice of to either abort and risk perishing in an engine fire or trying to take off anyway and perform an immediate low-altitude roll - before the aircraft crashed - to eject safely.

 

[DavyJones]

@Windjammer - any link to the strike where most of the Mig 21 s were destroyed. I don't recall any such strike having taken place ! btw should'nt the thread topic say "alias" instead of "alas" ?

 

[Creder]

I wish i could share your optimism guys

 

[chindit]

Discussed Earlier, the Pathankot Strike in which most of the MIG-21s were destroyed

sajjad haider's book -> "wrong - we destroyed only two MiG-21s, not nine" .. funny thing is the cover shows a painting with ten migs burnign, while inside he says thats wrong claim.