How We Treat Our PAF Killers

Heartbreaking. The top photo is from today’s Times of India — an Indian Air Force Dassault Mystere-IVA dying a slow death at the Rashtriya Sainik Board (RSB) compound in North Delhi. The second photo (from The Indian Express, October 21), is an Indian Air Force Folland Gnat (IE-246 — though this number is apparently somewhat problematic) being hauled back to its rightful position in front of Vayu Bhawan, the IAF Headquarters building. Is there a better way to move the aircraft? Kills you a little bit seeing it this way.

Photos Copyright (1) TOI & (2) The Indian Express

20 thoughts on “How We Treat Our PAF Killers”

  1. Now we can't store all of these relics and they need to be scrapped but I am disappointed to see the aircrafts that are on display rusting. Its not that difficult or costly to maintain them. Give them a rust proofing paint every 3-4 years and a new top coat and they are good. Also private collection should be encouraged to save a few more veteran heroes.

  2. shiv,even in DMSRDE compound (DRDO lab)a dassult mystre-4 is rusting in park even they have not placed any description plate .i have recognized because i knew about the model the plane is even in worst condition than the photograph you have shown & even the scientists who works there knows nothing about it.

  3. Create a Museum. People can go there on weekends and learn something about our armed forces at least. I bet some large industrial house like TATA's or M&M or L&T or ALL which get large, fat contracts from MoD can at least sponsor a piece of land for a decent museum.

  4. Geez, the photo of the Mystere is depressing. Very few Mysteres survive, and this one is downright pathetic.

    The Gnat, I am not so much concerned there appears to be 50+ of them around the country and the count keeps going up all the time..

  5. @Jagan: Depressing indeed. I actually saw this Mystere at this spot a year or two ago, but thought it was in transit to some other spot. Just crumbling now. What a pity.

  6. No offense to anyone, but these WERE the planes that helped us win wars but they are obsolete now.
    So many people are dying of hunger and even animals are mistreated so why care for junk old planes?
    The planes did there job when they were in service and now they just junk. We should promptly re-cycle the metal and concentrate on starting new chapters like Tejas LCA, AMCA and FGFA.

  7. We could donate these venerable fighters to institutions like schools/HAL or IAF museums, to at least inculcate an interest in the air force/air force history among children or public at large. And then we speak that people at large has a scant interest in such issues. I remember my school (Air Force Bal Bharati, New Delhi) had/still has a Gnat fighter right at it gate..just like they have at the Vayu Bhavan. Pity the rest of them are ending up like this! hope IAF or the MoD steps into to rectify this disrespect to our "war veteran" fighter planes..

  8. When there is no respect for the personnel who fought for India in those wars, the state of those aircrafts is predictable

  9. This is incredable india boys….you have an ability to turn beauty into an ungly thing…its part of the culture…

  10. In US, i've seen some pretty good looking n well maintained aircraft)like F4, F84s,etc) sitting in small towns(5-10k population). i hope we can learn something frm them n keep maintaining our stuff…

    Sincerely
    Sai

  11. I am always amazed at how the "uncultured" "west" preserves its warbirds – flying or static – as compared to us "cultured" guys. Why -w e even smuggled out an Me109 right under the noses of the IAF and others about 5 years ago!!!

  12. Last time I heard we uncultured Indians were planning to handover billions of dollars for airplanes, creating 30000 jobs for the cultured lot in US. And the cultured lot in the US would in turn handover our billions of dollars to the uncultured lot in Pakistan! Well well, how do you like that?

  13. hi,
    i went through all the blogs…some comments…firstly..there's a museum in place for all ppl to go n visit..though its in delhi..good idea to create few more in some other cities…that weay some more planes wud see good shine on them.
    secondly, it snot that hard to get an obsolete aircraft for display..one just has to approach the airforce..not many approach..
    thirdly, its not only airforce who's supposed to maintain them..wat bout a helping hand by local govt/NGOs?not a bad idea..is it?
    next…one has to transfer them by road sometimes…for that the ac may have to be partially dismantled…dosen't mean it can never be brought back to original shape n glory…

  14. i am not saying airforce/MoD is not to be blamed…yes they too are blameworthy..but onus is no completely on them..its a combined responsibility of everyone even remotely involved..so lets all accept that everyone has faltered at some point or other..n jus try n give them back their glorious days…

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