Bikaner, Vainness vans lined up on the tarmac and movie crew with cameras waited for that excellent body to seize MiG-21 jets roaring throughout the skies of Bikaner Nal Air Drive Station for the taking pictures of upcoming Bollywood film “Love And Conflict”. The second marked the jet’s final operational flight forward of its retirement subsequent month.
The airbase doubled up as a set for the Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed movie the place the MiG-21 will play a decisive function. “Love And Conflict” stars Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. The plot particulars of the film are nonetheless beneath wraps however there are experiences that it is a love triangle set towards the backdrop of conflict.
As soon as described as a “rocket with wings”, the Indian Air Drive’s MiG-21 fighter jets made their final operational flights on the Nal Air Drive Station in Bikaner on August 18 and 19, a month forward of the formal retirement ceremony to be held in Chandigarh on September 26.
Air Chief Marshal A P Singh himself flew solo sorties of the ageing supersonic jet final weekend with the occasion marking the start of the top of a six-decade affiliation with the MiG-21.
“It is an incredible plane to fly, very agile and maneuverable, and it has been the workhorse of the IAF for the reason that Sixties. However now it’s time to transfer on to newer platforms just like the Tejas and Rafale,” mentioned Air Chief Marshal Singh.
Wing Commander Jaideep Singh, IAF spokesperson, underscored the MiG-21’s legendary function in previous wars.
“Essentially the most notable was the assault on the Governor’s residence in Dhaka on December 14, 1971, which turned a turning level in that conflict,” he mentioned.
The formal phasing out of the Russian-origin plane will happen in Chandigarh on September 26, the place the IAF will maintain a ceremonial farewell to the jet that outlined generations of fighter pilots.
For individuals who witnessed Nal’s airstrip this weekend, nevertheless, the second was surreal: a slice of aviation historical past taking part in out in actual time with Bollywood concurrently making an attempt to immortalise it on display screen.
The MiG-21 could quickly retire from service, however its twin presence within the IAF’s proud historical past and within the celluloid retelling of India’s 1971 victory ensures that its roar will echo far past the skies.
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