Only a few aircraft can boast of compelling a surrender, and the MiG-21 is undoubtedly one of them. While its role as India’s workhorse fighter, especially its historic attack on Government House in Dacca, is well-documented, its involvement in flypast displays often goes unnoticed.
Republic Day Flypasts
In November 1963, soon after becoming the first MiG-21 squadron in the Indian Air Force, the 28 Squadron geared up for a 4-aircraft display at Republic Day 1964. This significant event, however, posed challenges. Pilots struggled with the discomfort of full-pressure suits, which impeded their movement and visibility, particularly in the scorching North Indian summer.
Regrettably, this resulted in a tragic mid-air collision on December 21, 1963, causing the loss of two valuable aircraft. As a result, pressure suits were abandoned, except for high-altitude missions. This choice had a ripple effect, causing the MiG-21 to remain away from displays until 1966.
In 1966, a significant milestone occurred during the Republic Day Flypast when a supersonic formation graced the skies. This impressive spectacle marked the MiG-21’s debut in the flypast and featured four MiG-21s and four HF-24s.
MSD Wollen, who had previously been involved in the 1963 mid-air collision, was now the CO of 28 Sqn, led this display. He also led the much larger 20 aircraft display during the 1967 Republic Day flypast.
The IAF pilots were experimenting with the aircraft, Air Chief Marshal Krishnaswamy, then with 28 Sqn recounts –
We often tried to do some aerobatics in close formation and reached the stage of doing the loop – in ‘dry regime’. But that was not exciting. The radius of the loop was large. We then maneuvered in reheat, using air-brakes to control speed; the leader called use of reheat and air-brakes – that was pre-planned. We accomplished 4 aircraft in a diamond formation doing formation aeros with re-heat.
In 1968, the Republic Day flypast featured an impressive formation of 32 MiG-21s. However, in 1969, this spectacle reached even greater heights with an astonishing display of 44 MiG-21 aircraft. The USSR premier Alexei Kosygin was the chief guest, representing the largest gathering of a single aircraft type in the Indian Air Force. Leading this formation was Wg Cdr Melville Andrew Woodfall, who served as the commanding officer of the 29 Squadron at that time. These were usually Box formations of four aircraft, flying at intervals of 4 seconds.
The grandeur of the Republic Day flypast continued to captivate spectators until 1972. There was one exception in 1970 when adverse weather conditions forced the event’s cancellation. However, during the rehearsals for the 1970 flypast, a harrowing incident occurred near Rashtrapati Bhavan—a second mid-air collision. One aircraft’s pilot miraculously nursed it back to base, while the other tragically crashed at Buddha Jayanti Park.
In 1971, the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Air Command at the time, Minoo Engineer, led the flypast in a striking red MiG-21 during the Republic Day celebrations. He executed a pull-up maneuver before the dignitaries, leaving a lasting impression.
Austerity Days
After 1972, the era of elaborate flypasts and the prominence of MiG-21s in aerial displays gradually declined. Republic Day displays were suspended from 1986 onwards, and the MiG-21 only sporadically appeared until then. When Republic Day displays resumed in 1996, but exclusively on multi-engine aircraft, marking the end of the MiG-21’s participation.
In 1982, 20 MiG-21s formed a wide frontage formation spelling out the letters “I A F” (in tandem) during the Republic Day flypast. This recreation recalled an image last seen in 1951, well before the MiG-21 era. Earlier in 1979, an attempt at such a formation was made when 19 MiG-21s from 37, 101, and 108 Squadrons rehearsed over Janpath. During the rehearsals, one aircraft suffered a bird strike. The formation had to be canceled, highlighting the complexities of low-level displays for a single-engine fighter like the MiG-21. The image from that rare formation, though, survives to this date.
Republic Day flypasts defined aerial extravagance in India. In contrast, flypasts at the Red Fort during Independence Day commenced in 1947 but paused until their revival in 1997. Air Force Day flypasts, historically subdued, transformed in the late 1990s, peaking with over 100 aircraft participating in 2023.
Air Force Day
In 1999, the MiG-21 made a triumphant return, leading a three-aircraft “missing man” formation for the Air Force Day flypast. In 2001, it received the honor of escorting a Hunter in a three-aircraft Vic formation during its farewell flight. From 2001 to 2022, it sporadically appeared on Air Force Day celebrations, usually as part of a three-aircraft Vic formation.
The MiG-21 made a notable comeback on two occasions. In 2013, the Operational Conversion Unit at Tezpur, responsible for training MiG-21 pilots, disbanded, and the longest-serving Type-77 (MiG-21 FL) fleet retired. During this time, a poignant 4-aircraft formation took flight.
In 2019, the Chief of Air Staff, BS Dhanoa, led a solemn 3-aircraft “missing man” formation over Bhatinda, the home base for the 17 Squadron during the Kargil War. This tribute paid homage to the warriors of the Kargil War on its 20th anniversary.
Versatile Display Profile
The MiG-21 often performed at Investiture ceremonies, Fire Power Demonstrations, President’s Colors presentations, and Squadron Balbos. Wg Cdr AK “Lui” Gupta recounts from his tenure as Flight Cdr of 15 Sqn at Bhuj in the mid-1980s
After completing the Squadron Balbo, where I was last aircraft in astern position, increased speed at the time of last run in along the runway with full reheat and pulled up to perform a vertical charlie. Late Joe Bakshi used to do vertical Charlie during his low level aerobatics display in Chabua with 47 sqn in the early 1980s quite remarkably.
It even had its dedicated aerobatics team. Known as the ‘Scorchers,’ the MiG-21 formation team was born in 1971 by combining aircraft and pilots from the 29 (Scorpions) and 47 (Archers) Squadrons. The four-aircraft team sported a vibrant red livery and was under the leadership of Wing Commander HS “High Speed” Gill, who served as the Commanding Officer of the 47 Squadron.
Their inaugural performance at Tilpat was a resounding success. Gill at the helm orchestrating a thrilling spectacle of low-level aerobatics, including inverted flypasts, Twinkle Rolls, loops, barrel rolls, and eight-point rolls. Tragically, HS Gill lost his life in the 1971 War while attempting a daring attack on the Badin Radar.
An iconic moment from the 2019 Aero India air show stands out. Gp Capt Nirmalya Dasgupta, executed a breathtaking vertical Charlie maneuver, captured in a frame by Angad Singh. This image has since become emblematic of the MiG-21’s prowess and agility.
When the MiG-21 returns to the skies at the 2023 Air Force Day, sharing airspace with the Rafale, it marks the grand finale of six remarkable decades of formation flying. Indian Air Force pilots deserve credit for expanding this aircraft’s operational capabilities, originally conceived as a high-altitude interceptor. Despite some design challenges, it will remain in the IAF’s pantheon of all-time great aircraft. It’s only appropriate that we bid it a farewell worthy of its final Swan Song performance.
I thank Air Chief Marshal Krishnasmay, Air Marshal BD Jayal, Air Marshal Avinash Joshi, Wg Cdr Vasudeva, and Wg Cdr AK Gupta for their input.
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