Pakistan Air Force | News & Discussions.

[Windjammer]

Relics of a bygone era.

 

[razgriz19]

Relics of a bygone era.


View attachment 397099

I had no idea PAF operated these

 

[Bilal Khan (Quwa)]

I had no idea PAF operated these

They didn't, but the PAF was very close in receiving them. In the 1970s, the PAF requested A-7 Corsairs from the U.S., and the U.S. was willing to release them provided Pakistan doesn't move ahead with its nuclear weapons program. At least one was painted in PAF colours and readied for delivery. Pakistan said "no" to dropping the nukes and the rest is history ... e.g the U.S. said "no A-7s", the Soviets came to Afghanistan, the U.S. offered A-7s again, then F-5Es, then F-20s and F-16-79s, and then the F-18L and F-16.

 

[Raider 21]

They didn't, but the PAF was very close in receiving them. In the 1970s, the PAF requested A-7 Corsairs from the U.S., and the U.S. was willing to release them provided Pakistan doesn't move ahead with its nuclear weapons program. At least one was painted in PAF colours and readied for delivery. Pakistan said "no" to dropping the nukes and the rest is history ... e.g the U.S. said "no A-7s", the Soviets came to Afghanistan, the U.S. offered A-7s again, then F-5Es, then F-20s and F-16-79s, and then the F-18L and F-16.

F-5Es and A-10s. F-20 was evaluated much later after the F-16A/Bs entered service in PAF. The evaluation was done by Abbas "Mickey" Mirza. F-20 was offered with full license production. Eventually the program was cancelled, after both Northrop test pilots were killed during separate aerial demonstrations.

 

[Windjammer]

F-5Es and A-10s. F-20 was evaluated much later after the F-16A/Bs entered service in PAF. The evaluation was done by Abbas "Mickey" Mirza. F-20 was offered with full license production. Eventually the program was cancelled, after both Northrop test pilots were killed during separate aerial demonstrations.

In late 70s Carter administration offered 120 A-7s if Pakistan was willing to freeze it's nuclear programme, the deal fell trough, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan turned the tables, initially an F-20 painted in PAF colours was dispatched to Pakistan for evaluation, later F-16/79 was offered which was also refused for being underpower.
It's also said that when the first F-16s landed in Saudia during the ferry flight, PAF refused to accept them until they were equipped with their standard APG-66s.

 

[Raider 21]

In late 70s Carter administration offered 120 A-7s if Pakistan was willing to freeze it's nuclear programme, the deal fell trough, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan turned the tables, initially an F-20 painted in PAF colours was dispatched to Pakistan for evaluation, later F-16/79 was offered which was also refused for being underpower.
It's also said that when the first F-16s landed in Saudia during the ferry flight, PAF refused to accept them until they were equipped with their standard APG-66s.

F-16/79 was an export version that was rejected by almost everyone. Yes an F-20 Tigershark had come to Chaklala for an evaluation. As for the AN/APG-66, I am not sure about the refusal but I only know of that the USAF pilots handed the jets over at Saudi Arabia to PAF pilots, who were then responsible for the jets from then onward. If anything was to happen on the trip from US to Saudi Arabia, the USAF would take responsibility.

 

[khanasifm]

F5g or f20 along with a10 were evaluated after f16 as low cost option but eventually paf opted for f7p per paf book

 

[Bilal Khan (Quwa)]

F5g or f20 along with a10 were evaluated after f16 as low cost option but eventually paf opted for f7p per paf book

There was also the Sabre II, which would have basically been a lot like the F-20, e.g. similar radar, avionics, weapons and potentially even engine (GE F404). Feasibility issues and the U.S. embargo on China basically scuttled that program.

 

[fatman17]

Relics of a bygone era.


View attachment 397099

US was offering a 100 of these to forego our nuke program

 

[Windjammer]

F-16/79 was an export version that was rejected by almost everyone. Yes an F-20 Tigershark had come to Chaklala for an evaluation. As for the AN/APG-66, I am not sure about the refusal but I only know of that the USAF pilots handed the jets over at Saudi Arabia to PAF pilots, who were then responsible for the jets from then onward. If anything was to happen on the trip from US to Saudi Arabia, the USAF would take responsibility.

The US pilots ferried the jets from Fortworth to Saudi Arabia, however some PAF pilots also flew with them as GIBS thus it was first time the PAF pilots experienced the endurance of a transatlantic flight. Once the jets arrived in Saudia, PAF engineers discovered some issues with the radars thus the aircraft were stranded there for a few days until the matter was resolved.

 

[redgriffin]

Relics of a bygone era.


View attachment 397099

Always wanted to see the Corsair in Pakistani colours. Would've been a much better attack aircraft than the A-5.

 

[Windjammer]

Always wanted to see the Corsair in Pakistani colours. Would've been a much better attack aircraft than the A-5.

Yes they were good back then but unlike A-5 they were subsonic and single engine but a heavy payload.

 

[redgriffin]

Btw the Corsair saga is a perfect example of 100 piyaz bhi khana or 100 jootay bhi.
Pakistan wanted a good attack aircraft as a B-57 replacement. The A-7 fitted the bill. Deal was for circa 120 aircraft. Then at the same time were negotiating rather successfully with the French for a nuclear reprocessing plant (hint plutonium route to nuke bombs).
When the Carter administration came in, it held hostage the Corsairs against scrapping of the reprocessing plant deal.
We didn't budge, hence Corsairs deal scrapped. Eventually the US pressure proved too much for the French & they scrapped the reprocessing plant deal as well.
Hence "pani bhi na piya, glass tora 12 anay bill".

 

[Raider 21]

The US pilots ferried the jets from Fortworth to Saudi Arabia, however some PAF pilots also flew with them as GIBS thus it was first time the PAF pilots experienced the endurance of a transatlantic flight. Once the jets arrived in Saudia, PAF engineers discovered some issues with the radars thus the aircraft were stranded there for a few days until the matter was resolved.

From MacDill AFB at Florida to be exact. The jets were posted there for a few hours of testing and then followed by the first batch training on the new Pakistani bound jets.

 

[redgriffin]

Yes they were good back then but unlike A-5 they were subsonic and single engine but a heavy payload.

And had better attack avionics.