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Based on lessons learnt in the Sep 65 war with Pakistan, the
Indian AF selected the SU-7 to fill a much felt gap in the close support and
interdiction roles, hitherto carried out by the Hunters and Mystere IV As.
Entering sqn service in 1968, the SU-7 finally equipped some six sqns.
In the Dec 1971 war with Pakistan, the SU-7 stood out as a close support
and interdiction aircraft. Taking
the brunt in the crucial armour holding battles of Chamb and Fazilka, the SU-7
also suffered the maximum casualties and damage. Over zealous pilots carrying
out multiple passes in a dense ack –ack and small arms environment, coupled
with a modest fuel capacity led to many losses. By the end of the war, it was
the aircraft with the maximum number of holes per square inch.
That, many aircraft were recovered; with significant damage was a
testimony to its robustness. One aircraft was recovered with most of the tail and
empennage shot away and its two tail chutes deployed and on fire.
Another being recovered with most of a Pak Sabre launched AIM-9A embedded
in its tail pipe. Ultimately IAF SU-7s flew a total of 2577 sorties in 14
days. Their solitary night forays
even confounded (then) Col Chuck Yeager, on deputation as air advisor to
Pakistan. One SU-7 even shot down a
‘capping’ Pak Mig-19 whilst pulling up for a photo run over Risalwalla
airfield.
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| A
SU-7 with its hastily applied camo peeling off, lands after a mission
during the 1971 war.Note the ‘wrap around’ camouflage. |
The last SU-7 was finally retired in 1984. A much maligned
aircraft by many ill informed ‘experts’, the SU-7 will be remembered for its
sheer power, maneuverability and punch.
This is a KP kit built OOB except for the paint scheme.
All Su-7s were received silver and were painted with washable paints
generally dark earth and dark green (very RAF 1940s style), or in the Hunter
scheme. The paint rapidly peeled
off and lent a very weathered look. I
hope my model captures some of that.
Polly
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| Sqn
pilots lounge on a silver Su-7 washed and cleaned up after the war. |
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