Airliners-India.com

Kabir · Member Joined: 24 Oct 2008 Posts: 791 Location: DEL

ALWARA (LUDHIANA): After three decades of "formidable" service with the IAF, the Russian-made MiG-23BN combat fighter aircraft on Friday was
phased out at a ceremony at the airbase here.

The Air Force's 221 squadron was the last unit to operate the ground attack aircraft that did not witness much action in its entire service, except for patrol roles during 'Operation Meghdoot' in Siachen in the mid 1980s and during the 1999 Kargil battle.

Presiding over the ceremony, Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major said when IAF was formally retiring one of its "very formidable" assets, he was overwhelmed by an indescribable feeling — pride tinged with sadness.

"We know that aeroplanes, like air warriors, can't go on for ever. While there is thunder and pride in their prime, they fade away with quiet dignity when the time comes," he said.

Describing the "swing-wing" MiG-23BN as "the most powerful single-engine fighter in the world," Major said it was of a revolutionary design with a variable wing sweep and air intake, and a very complex weapon delivery system, that was fairly advanced for its times.

"It gave the IAF a tremendous boost in its capability, and we had to get used to the tremendous roar of its R-29 engine. They also played havoc with the surfaces of our runways," he said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/MiG-23BN_retires_from_Indian_Air_Force_service/articleshow/4234064.cms?TOI_latestnews

ssbmat · Member Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Posts: 1710

It was quite a capable aircraft, when flown in the hands of a skilled pilot. It was the equivalent of the F14Tomcat (except that this was twin engined). Of course, Tomcat was entirely built around the massive AIM-54 Phoenix missile system.

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

...again, a slightly inaccurate report from the ToI. The BN version was
the most common in the IAF - with more of a ground attack, or a
bomber role, than that of a fighter, or interceptor. The fighter/interceptor
version of the Mig-23 which the IAF had (the MF version), was quite different, technically. The report seems to have mixed up the two, in
parts.
Cheers, Sumantra.

Kabir · Member Joined: 24 Oct 2008 Posts: 791 Location: DEL

heh CNN IBN did a tribute to the Flogger and showed the MiG 29 for more than half of that tribute.

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

Yes, Kabir - as has been pointed out many times in this forum,
such errors and inconsistencies hold across media organisations,
and nations. Sad, but true! And all this must pain you a lot, since you
represent a premier media organisation in aviation. We are sure lucky
to have you on this forum, for your informative articles, expert analyses,
and comments, in general - thank you!
With warm regards,
Sumantra.

HamiltonAir · Member Joined: 25 Dec 2006 Posts: 937 Location: Bangalore

Sad to see this plane go. I just found a video of the Mig-23 on youtube, just turn on yur speakers n woofer to the max, music to my ears Very Happy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NJc6QqKf38
_________________
HamiltonAir

747-237 · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 4:39 pm Post subject:

Pardon the ignorance, but does this also mean that the IAF also no longer flies the MiG-27 ? Sometimes the 27 is counted as a 23 variant, & since the IAF operated the 27 (AFAIK), I was wondering if they still count that separately; and if that's still part of the active inventory.

shivendrashukla · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 7:53 pm Post subject:

Although MiG 27 may be a very close derivative of the MiG 23, in all operational purposes, MiG 23 and MiG 27 are separate. MiG 27's continue to remain in service.

Cheers
Shivendra

ssbmat · Member Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Posts: 1710

747-237 · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:37 pm Post subject:

ssbmat · Member Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Posts: 1710

Dont worry, I was just joking..

T'would feel funny not to have the Mig-27..a big hole in our offensive capabilities.