Air Force Station, Tambaram [Flying Instructor's School]

Tambaram Air Force Station on the outskirts of Chennai houses the Flying Instructor's School (FIS). The FIS was originally raised in the north in Ambala in 1948 and moved to its current location in 1954. Till then Chennai (Then Madras) saw aircraft only at St Thomas Mount, from where a flight of Blenheims and Wapitis of the erst while Coastal Defence Flights (CDF) used to fly missions during World War Two.

Initially equipped with Harvards, the FIS started using HT-2s which it used till 1989 in thier Lycoming - Reengined avatar. Currently the FIS uses HPT-32s and HJT-16 Kirans.

Folland Gnat IE-1078 seen at Tambaram AFS in artificial Camouflage scheme. Note the two hard points and droptanks. Pic Courtesy : B Harry

Atleast two warbirds are in existence at FIS. One of them is a HAL Assembled Folland Gnat IE-1078. This aircraft is a veteran of the 1965 India Pakistan war and was part of No.23 Squadron based at Pathankot. Though it is not confirmed, it is assumed that this aircraft took part in a some aircombats with F-86 Sabres during that time. One of the period photographs from that era show a Pilot Scramble at Pathankot, this picture is quite popular and has been reproduced in many publications.

THEN AND NOW: IE-1078 seen at Pathankot during a pilots scramble during the 1965 India Pakistan War. The same aircraft is now seen in the garish camo scheme at the Open day in Tambaram. Note the MiG-21 in the background with the Winged Daggers badge painted on the fin.

IE-1078 however today is painted in a garish yellow-brown-green Desert style camouflage scheme that was never seen on Gnats. The aircraft has been seen on display on many 'Open House' days held at Tambaram. The Gnat has been painted with the label 'Ajeet' on both sides of the nose. Though it is quite clear that it has only two hardpoints under the wings and is most likely a Gnat that was never upgraded to Ajeet Standard.

A Word of caution here, it has been noted that sometimes the IAF changes serial numbers on warbirds for historical context. The only way to confirm that IE-1078 is indeed the same aircraft is to verify its original Folland Gnat construction number.

This MiG-21 FL was seen at the Air Force Day Celebrations at Tambaram Air Force Station in 2001. Though it was thought to be a temporary visitor at that point of time, its second appearance at the recent open house day at FIS confirms that the aircraft is a permanent resident of Tambaram AFS. The presence of the intake cover and pitot tube protection covers indicate that this could be an instructional airframe. Sainik Samachar

Another view of the MiG-21 shows that the cockpit is empty without the usual ejection seat in place. Overall the condition of the aircraft seems to be very good. Pic Courtesy : B Harry

The second airframe at Tambaram is an unidentified MiG-21FL. This aircraft's first photo was published in Sainik Samachar and at that time it was believed to be a flyer. However subsequent photos sent by Harry indicate that it is either an instructional airframe or a gate guardian. The aircraft does not have an ejection seat in the cockpit, nor a serial painted. The 'Winged Daggers' emblem is painted on the fin of the MiG.

The Camouflage looks brand new and the aircraft sports an intake cover as well as protective covers for the pitot tube and other surfaces. This level of overall maintenance indicates that the MiG could be an instructional airframe.