Combat Pilots of the Subcontinent - FAQ


This page is designed to anwser some of the most frequently asked questions regarding air combat in the Sub Continent. This is set up to dispel certain myths as well as convert certain others into fact.

1. Who was the first Indian Pilot to score a Kill?
2. Who is the top scoring Indian Pilot?
3. Which airforce among India and Pakistan got its first kill first?
4. How many aircraft did Param Vir Chakra awardee Fg Off N S Sekhon shoot down?
5. Who is the top scoring PAF Pilot?

6. Which are the "best" air combat incidents that can be termed as "classic"?


1. Who was the first Indian Pilot to Score a Kill?

The anwser depends on the conflict on which the question is based. Usually Sqn. Ldr. Trevor Keelor is said to be the first Indian Pilot to get a kill. He is the first if you consider combat after Independence. Indian pilots opened up their scores as far back as in the first world war when Flt Lt Inder Lal Roy shot down more than Nine German aircraft. In the Second World War, Fg Off J C Verma remains the only pilot to be granted an air combat kill - A Japanese Oscar fighter SD while he was flying a Hurricane fighter. Keelor is credited with the first kill by the Independent Indian Air Force.  Recent research indicates that It may not be Keelor but Flt Lt V S Pathania who scored the first air combat kill after Independence.

2. Who is the top scoring Indian Pilot?

Officially, The top scoring pilot is Wg Cdr Vinod Kumar Neb, VrC and Bar, who is credited with two kills, One from 65 and one from 71. Two other pilots are also credited with twin kills in their citations, Wg Cdr F J Mehta VrC and Air Marshal P S Pingale VrC, but it is generally accepted that it was an inaccurate war time assessment. One pilot who may not have been offically credited but certainly is a contender is Air Cmde A T Cooke VrC.

3. Which airforce among India and Pakistan got its first kill first?

Its the Pakistani Air Force which got its aircombat kill first, and contrary to public opinion it is not in the 1965 conflict but in 1959 when an IAF Canberra that strayed into Pakistan was shot down by Flt Lt. Yunus in a Sabre. The PAF also drew first blood in the 65 War on the first day itself when Sqn Ldr S A Rafiqui shot down a Vampire fighter bomber.

4. How many aircraft did Param Vir Chakra awardee Fg Off N S Sekhon shoot down?

None, Sekhon damaged two of the Six attacking aircraft, one of them badly, but none of the attacking PAF Aircraft were downed.

5. Who is the top scoring PAF Pilot?

There are actually two of them. Sqn Ldr M M Alam with Four Hunters as kills from the 65 War, Flt Lt Saiful Azam with One Gnat from the 65 War and Three Israeli kills from the 67 Conflict is the other contender. Coming a close second is Sqn Ldr S A Rafique who has two Vampires and One Hunter as his kills from the 65 War.

 

6. Which are the best aircombat incidents that can be termed as classic fights?

In my view the following are the classic "dogfights" of the Indo-Pakistani Wars.

1965

a.  Aircombat over Halwara on 6 September 1965 between Three Sabres and Two Hunters, which were reinforced by another two Hunters later on.
b.  The Second PAF Raid on Kalaikunda of Four Sabres which was intercepted by Two Hunters of No.14 Sqn.
c.  The First Mystere Raid on Sargodha which was intercepted by One Starfighter.
d.  The Second Hunter Raid on Sargodha of Five Hunters in which Two Hunters were downed by Sqn Ldr Alam.
e.  The Two Hunters Vs Two Sabres dogfight over Halwara on 15th September in which One Sabre and One Hunter were downed.

1971

a.   The first aircombat over Dacca in which Three Hunters were intercepted by Four Sabres. (One Sabre was downed)
b.   The interception of No.27 Hunter's raid on Murid by a F-6 on Dec 4th. (One Hunter was shot down)
c.   Interception of the raid on Sakesar by Two F-6s. (Two Hunters were shot down)
d.   Aircombat over Srinagar between Six Sabres and One Gnat.
e.   Aircombat over Jamnagar between One F-104 Starfighter and One MiG-21
f.    Aircombat over Jamnagar between Two Starfighters and Two MiG-21s.
g.   Aircombat over Pasrur between One MiG-21 and One Sabre (MiG-21 was shot down)



 

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