IAF HELICOPTERS

Only 6 Mi-35s (out of 2 squadrons worth) have been upgraded so far and this example clearly is'nt one of them. Interestingly, the cannon turret has been made more flexible by slaving the same to the HMS on the upgraded version and improving the gimball, the conventional one having comparatively limited movement. Note the missile command guidance pod (right) and the gun sight (left), below the nose. The type will receive the Nag ATGM when it becomes available. 




An Mi-8 'Pratap' (Z-2390) from the No.112 'Thoroughbreds' Helicopter Unit (HU). 




Although it's replacement in the form of the HAL Dhruv has already entered service, the extremely versatile HAL Chetak (license built Sud Aviation Alouette-III) continues to be the mainstay of the IAF's light helicopter fleet. Some Coast Guard Chetaks are also based at the same airfield. This example (Z-408) is from the IAF's Helicopter Training School at Hakimpet. 




HAL Chetak Z-1006 circled the area around six times, the time spent on the ground each time not exceeding a few seconds. This exotic example bears an olive green scheme.




Chetak Z-1808 kicks off the Sept.6 flypast over Marina by showering flower petals on the crowd. Although Chetaks are a common sight over India, the local crowd got pretty overexcited when this one appeared.




One of two "Vic" three-ship Chetak formations, bearing the IAF and Indian national flags.

IAF TRAINERS - I

The HAL HPT-32 Deepak is the IAF's basic trainer and provides for the stage-I ab-initio training role. Between 1983 and 1998, HAL's Transport Aircraft Division at Kanpur, produced a total of 142 HPT-32s.






The HAL HJT-16 Mk.1 Kiran is one of two Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) types used by the IAF. These aircraft are used for Stage-II and Stage-IIA training. The type has been in service since 1968 and is soon to be replaced by the HAL HJT-36 Sitara. Most of the Kiran's aft fuselage is taken up by a rather long exhaust outlet. For easy servicing, the fuselage can be disassembled into two separate halves.




A "Vic" three-ship formation of Kiran Mk.1 IJTs (serials of involved aircraft were U-724, U-723, and U-730).

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