Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), Kamra - - World's 3rd Largest Assembly Plant: The Backbone of Aviation Engineering in Pakistan

The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (commonly abbreviated PAC) is a facility used to service, assemble and manufacture aircraft for the military of Pakistan. Located at Kamra, located in Attock District in the mountainous north of the Punjab, Pakistan. It is the world's third largest assembly plant.

Presently, the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra comprises of four factories which are spread over an area of 10 square kilometers. The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, in short PAC, started with three main Ministry of Defence projects designated P-721, P-741 and P-751. The first two digits show the year of project approval and launch, the third digit is a serial designator. PAC has become a center of excellence in aviation engineering based on more than 30 years of experience in Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of fighter aircraft, their components and engines.

In the year 1972, PAC started with the MRO of F-6 aircraft of Chinese origin and subsequently progressed towards MRO of Mirage III & V aircraft and ATAR 09C engines, F100-220E engines modules of F-16 aircraft, J-69 engines of T-37 aircraft, T-56 engines of C-130 aircraft and avionics upgrades of fighters aircrafts of Pakistan Air Force.

F-6 Rebuild Factory:


F-6 Rebuild Factory (F-6RF), formerly known as P-721, is primarily dedicated to the overhaul and parts manufacture of Chinese aircraft in service with the Pakistan Air force (PAF). The factory is capable of overhauling and parts manufacturing for the Shenyang F-6 (now retired by the PAF), Nanchang A-5 and F-7 combat aircraft, as well as the Shenyang FT-5 and FT-6 jet trainer aircraft.

Mirage Rebuild Factory:


The Mirage Rebuild Factory (MRF), formerly known as P-741, is dedicated to the overhaul of French origin military aircraft in service with the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), the Dassault Mirage III and Mirage V combat aircraft. Overhaul and manufacturing services were utilized by other countries with French Mirage aircraft in service. This factory also grew to service and overhaul the Pratt & Whitney F100 turbofan engines belonging to the F-16 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft of the PAF.

Aircraft Manufacturing Factory:


Aircraft Manufacturing Factory (AMF), formerly known as P-751, is dedicated to heavy military aircraft manufacturing. The MFI-17 Mushshak basic trainer aircraft built under license for use by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and Pakistan Army aviation wing. This factory project managed the aircraft modification and development venture that resulted in the MFI-395 Super Mushshak basic trainer, based on the MFI-17 Mushshak. Development of the K-8 Karakorum (also known as Hongdu JL-8) intermediate/advanced jet trainer was done in cooperation with Hongdu Aviation Industry Group of China, with AMF manufacturing parts for the aircraft. The JF-17 multi-role combat aircraft (also known as FC-1), a joint project between China and Pakistan, is now being manufactured by AMF. The MFI-17, MFI-395, K-8 and JF-17 are now in service with the (PAF). AMF also designs and manufactures unmanned aerial vehicles for uses such as target practice.


Manufacture of sub-assemblies for the JF-17 light-weight multi-role fighter began on 22 January 2008, while serial production of the fighter began on 30 June 2009.


On August 20, 2009 the PAF announced that it would begin production of its own unmanned aerial vehicles in collaboration with Italian company Selex Galileo. Production of the UAV, named Falco, was to begin soon.

Kamra Avionics and Radar Factory (KARF):

The Radar Maintenance Centre (RMC), was established in 1983 to overhaul and rebuild ground-based radar systems. In 1989, RMC was expanded to become Kamra Radar & Avionics Factory (KARF). KARF has the facilities to assemble and overhaul airborne as well as ground-based radar systems, electronics and avionics. Currently the only ISO 9002 certified facility among PAC, the factory was involved in upgrading the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Chengdu F-7P interceptor fleet by replacing the original Italian built FIAR Grifo-7 radar with the more capable FIAR Grifo-7 mk-II radar, which was assembled under licence by KARF. More recently, radar production involved the license assembly of the latest upgrade variant of the FIAR Grifo-7, the Grifo-7MG radar, which arms the Chengdu F-7PG combat aircraft of the PAF. In mid 2009 it was reported that KARF personnel had completed training on printed circuit board assembly machines supplied by U.S. company APS Novastar, which would be used to make circuit boards for combat aircraft avionics.

As PAC’s capabilities become competitive in the region, commercial ventures from national and international companies are also being undertaken.

Pakistan Air Force's Contingency Plan Ready to Counter Any Threat - - Air Chief Marshal Briefed About PAF's Ongoing Exercises Called "High Mark 2010"

Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman said on Saturday a contingency plan was ready to counter any threat to the country’s security and made it clear that any misadventure by the adversary would invite a ‘massive reaction’.

Speaking at a briefing here at Air Headquarters, he said Pakistan did not harbour aggressive designs against any country, but was capable of beating back any aggressor.

He said Pakistan believed in peace with honour and observed that peace cannot be maintained from a position of weakness.

In reply to a question about the threats of surgical strikes inside Pakistan by India in case of another Mumbai-like terror attack, the PAF chief said “the neighbours know that in case of a sneak attack by them, reaction will be coming within hours”.

He said India would not be able to penetrate deep inside Pakistan’s territory, and the most they would do in such a case would be to choose an area near the border for a hit-and-run operation.

He said when the President House received a hoax call from ‘the Indian foreign minister’ after the Mumbai episode, the Pakistan Air Force identified certain targets across the border.

Air Marshal Qamar Suleman said permission from the government for replying to any aggression had been obtained and preparations made for a matching response.

He said India would not be able to defeat Pakistan in a conventional war.

He said the High Mark 2010 was not aimed against any country, but aimed at evaluating capabilities in an environment where dimensions of threat were changing warranting new concepts. He said the exercise was different in nature from the previous ones because the other two services were also actively taking part in it.

He noted that a future war would be swift and intense and said that is why the high tempo operation with a component of time sensitive targeting was being undertaken.

He said the budget for the exercise had been managed by savings as a result of 20 per cent reduction in flying from June, without asking for additional funds for the mega event from the Government.

Responding to question, he indicated that there was no plan to set up an air base in Azad Kashmir saying that the base in Skardu was sufficient to meet operational requirements of the PAF.

The Air Chief said Pakistan would start receiving 18 F-16 planes paid for it years back from June and the process would be completed by December. He disclosed that the United States had agreed to provide another 14 block 52 F-16s to Pakistan shortly. He said the existing fleet of F-16s would be upgraded in Turkey from September. He said all the F-16s would be upgraded to block 52 by 2014.

He said he said he never wanted a deal with the US for purchase of drones since it would be very expensive, but said it would be welcomed if sensors were provided by the US. He said Pakistan develops its own surveillance drones and would invest in research and development to make its own armed drones if a need was felt.

Earlier Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Plans) Air Commodore Javed Ahmad briefing reporters on the concept of High Mark 2010 said the primary target was to put to test the high state of combat readiness while gearing up all supporting units and validate the lessons learnt to improve deployment tactics.

He said since international, and domestic situation impinges upon the security calculus, the near realistic exercise was in line with the transformation in PAF’s concept of operations. He said new acquisitions had been operationalised in minimum possible time to take part in the exercise that will continue till the mid of May.

Part 16: Pictorial History of Pakistan Air Force From the Brush Strokes of Hussaini - - 1978-1987 and the Afghan Conflict (P-1)

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: Jun-87

Artwork Located:
Office of the AOC Northern Air Command

Description:
Aircraft on Air Defence Alert (ADA) during a cockpit stand-by on a hot summer day at Chaklala.

These specially equipped F-6s cannot be seen anywhere in the world other than the PAF. The pilot is wearing an American helmet and is sitting on the Martin Baker (British) ejection seat. The aircraft is fitted with specially manufactured Pakistani drop tanks for long range operations. The circuitry has been modified by Pakistani technicians to make it capable of firing the deadly American Sidewinder missiles. The electronic countermeasure system fitted in the aircraft is of French origin and the auxiliary power unit which gives quick start to the aircraft on order for scramble, is of Chinese make. This aircraft has been turned by the PAF engineers into a highly destructive weapon, and used very effectively by the pilots throughout. Note the locally manufactured umbrella over the cockpit.

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 8-Jul-76

Artwork Located:
Air Headquarters Officers Mess

Description:
In the rough summer seas off Karachi an H-43B Huskie helicopter from PAF Base Masroor carries out a memorable rescue at sea. The Huskie scrambled on an SOS call from Merchant Vessel "Latakia"', an Egyptian ship foundering in the Arabian Sea. All on board the "Latakia" were winched up safely before it sank. Egyptian and Pakistani newspapers gave wide coverage to this challenging rescue mission.

The H-43 aircrew :

Pilot
Wing Commander Hamid Masood

Copilot
Flight Lieutenant Ansari

Crew Chiefs
Warrant Officer Shaban
Chief Technician Fateh

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date:

Artwork Located:
Presented to the Chief of Army Staff (1996)

Description:
The painting shows a formation of A-5s attacking an enemy convoy near a battlefield. Although the A-5 is restricted strictly to visual roles, it is equipped with western avionics and provides Pakistan with a tactical strike capability it needs today. The configuration of the PAF's A-5s differs considerably from that of their Chinese counterparts, because several design features have been introduced at the request of the PAF.

Size: 6ft x 4ft Oil

Date: 17-May-86

Artwork Located:
Ministry of Defence

Description:
The painting shows Squadron Leader A Hameed Qadri of No 9 Multi Role Squadron of F-16s having a close look at the SU-22 which has just turned into a ball of fire after being hit by his AIM-9L missile while his No 2 Squadron Leader Yousuf Chaudhry is trying to get behind the other SU-22. The encounter took place at 16,000 feet over Parachinar, during the Afghan War, 1979-1988.

Part 15: Pictorial History of Pakistan Air Force From the Brush Strokes of Hussaini - - 1968-1977 and the War of '71 (P-7)

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 1971

Artwork Located:
"Army Staff College, Quetta"

Description:
During the 1971 War, different types of fighters from some friendly countries were temporarily transferred to the PAF. Of these groups, a formation of three F-5As with PAF markings are shown here entering the Pakistani territory. The pilots who ferried the F-5s:

Squadron Leader Tahir Kheli Zaigham
Flight Lieutenant Ai~ad Bilal Khan

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 17-Dec-71

Artwork Located:
Headquarters Air Defence Command

Description:
The last aerial encounter of 1971 War turned out to be a dog-fight between a supersonic MiG-21 and the relatively slow and much older F-86 Sabre. The F-86 flown by Flight Lieutenant Maqsood, Amir emerged as the victor and the Indian Mig-21 pilot Flight Lieutenant Tejwant Singh who ejected after being hit, was taken prisoner. Squadron Leader Rab Nawaz was the Radar Controller for this interception.

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 1968

Artwork Located:
Chief of the Air Staff's Conference Room

Description:
The French Mirages are high-speed, all weather, delta wing, long range fighter-bombers which can also be employed in the interceptor role. The Mirages entered service with the PAF in 1968. In the 1971 War, these aircraft were effectively used for day and night air defence as well as offensive roles. The Mirage has a maximum speed of Mach 2.2 and a service ceiling of 54,000 feet. The painting shows PAF Mirages releasing cluster bombs during a low level attack.

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date:

Artwork Located:
"Air Headquarters Officers Mess, Islamabad"

Description:
Dissimilar Air Combat Training is an essential feature of a Pakistani fighter pilot's training. The painting shows an F-6 of the Combat Commanders' School manoeuvring against two PAF Mirages in simulated air combat. The main objective of the Combat Commanders' School is to provide fighter pilots with comprehensive courses in combat leadership and advanced fighter tactics.

Part 14: Pictorial History of Pakistan Air Force From the Brush Strokes of Hussaini - - 1968-1977 and the War of '71 (P-6)

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 14-Dec-71

Artwork Located:
Presented to the Chief of Army Staff (1992)

Description:
During a major assault in the Shakargarh area on 14 December 1971, PAF fighters were called in for air support. The painting shows one of the supporting F-6s bearing down on enemy armour, while another one has just pulled off. The aircraft belonged to No 23 Squadron. Apart from being effective in the air defence role, the F-6s (introduced into the PAF in 1966) provided valuable air support to Pak Army in the 1971 War.

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 14-Dec-71

Artwork Located:
National Defence College

Description:
A flight of F-6s (Chinese built Mig-19s) from No 11 Squadron was on a search and destroy mission over the Shakargarh salient when Flight Lieutenant Aamer Ali Sharieff spotted four manoeuvring Mig-21s, much superior in performance to Aamer's F-6. Quickly sliding into the blind zone of the trailing Mig-21, Aamer launched his Sidewinder. The Mig-21 burst into flames and crashed.

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 15-Dec-71

Artwork Located:
Office of the Commandant Combat Commanders School

Description:
F-86E of No 19 Squadron Masroor, gets behind an IAF Hunter in the Thar desert. Within a few seconds the Hunter went down in flames.

Pilot : Flight Lieutenant Farooq Qari

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 16-Dec-71

Artwork Located:
"Army Staff College, Quetta"

Description:
F-86s from No 19 Squadron strike a battalion of Indian Army in the Thar desert. The napalm and strafing attacks were led by Flight Lieutenant Aliuddin.

Part 13: Pictorial History of Pakistan Air Force From the Brush Strokes of Hussaini - - 1968-1977 and the War of '71 (P-5)

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 14-Dec-71

Artwork Located:
Private Collection

Description:
The pilot of the Gnat going down in flames, Flying Officer Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon, was posthumously given the Param Vir Chakra, India"s highest gallantry award. Nirmaljit had taken off behind his group from Srinagar (in the background) to intercept the approaching air strike of four F-86s with two escorts. Before being shot down with a gun burst by Flight Lieutenant Salim Beg Mirza (leader of the escort F-86 pair), Nirmaljit was claimed by the IAF to have scored hits on two of the six F-86s but in fact all of them had returned to Peshawar without a scratch. The painting shows Salim and his wingman in the foreground. Two of the four strike F-86s can be seen at a distance, attacking their targets at the Srinagar air base, through the bursting ack ack shells.

Strike Element

Wing Commander S A Changezi
Flying Officer H K Dhotani
Flying Officer Amjad Endrabi
Flying Officer Maroof Mir

Escorts
Flight Lieutenant Salim Beg Mirza
Flying Officer Rahirn Yousefzai

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 13-Dec-71

Artwork Located:
Private Collection

Description:
Preparing to launch a piercing attack towards Hyderabad, the Indian Army was stopped in its tracks astride the KhokraparChor railway line. The air campaign involved several missions and a mix of combat aircraft from Masroor Air Base. The painting shows one of these missions that employed 5 F-86s and 4 T-33s. It was led by Group Captain Wiqar Azim seen here in the F-86. At some distance are the T-33s that were led by Wing Commander Asghar Randhawa. The lone escort was flown by Flight Lieutenant Kamran Qureshi.

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 12-Dec-71

Artwork Located:
National Defence College

Description:
Timely photo reconnaissance about where the enemy was gathering his armour provided precious intelligence on which the Pakistan Army developed its own battle plans. The painting depicts such a mission during the 1971 War. The high speed cameras in the photo recce Mirage-II1RP, flown by Squadron Leader Farooq Umar (foreground) brought back that afternoon's scene at the Mukhtasar railway yard. Indian tanks were loaded and ready to move towards the Pakistan border. In the background is the escorting Mirage, flown by Wing Commander Hakimullah (later CAS, PAF).

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: Dec-71

Artwork Located:
Private Collection

Description:
Devoted and skilled technicians have always represented the backbone of all combat operations of the PAF. Here they load gun ammunition and refuel an F-86E of No 18 Squadron. The squadron provided extremely useful air support to Pakistan Army during the war, specially in the Chamb Sector.

Part 12: Pictorial History of Pakistan Air Force From the Brush Strokes of Hussaini - - 1968-1977 and the War of '71 (P-4)

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 11-Dec-71

Artwork Located:
Office of the Assistant Chief of Air Staff Plans

Description:
Two F-104 Starfighters flown by Wing Commander Arif lqbal and Squadron Leader Amanullah are seen carrying out a surprise attack on an IAF desert base at Utterlai. An IAF HF-24 fighter is seen destroyed on the taxi track, after a gun attack by Squadron Leader Amanullah. The second of the two HF-24s, scrambled to intercept the starfighters, was shot up by Wing Commander Arif Iqbal, also by gun attack.

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 10 Dember 1971

Artwork Located:
"Army Staff College, Quetta"

Description:
Mirages from 5 Squadron Sargodha strike IAF Base Pathankot. Apart from the damage inflicted in the technical area by the bombing runs of the formation, the leader Squadron Leader Akhtar Rao (seen in the foreground pulling away after firing his guns) also destroyed two Hunters lining up for take off.
Escorts:

Strike Force:

Squadron Leader Aftab Alam
Squadron Leader Arif Manzoor
Squadron Leader Akhtar Rao (Leader)
Flight Lieutenant Shafique Haider
Flight Lieutenant Farooq Zapata
Flight Lieutenant Hameed Malik

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 7-Dec-71

Artwork Located:
PAF Art Collection

Description:
As a fierce ground battle raged in the Shakargarh salient below, 4 F-6s from Sargodha challenged 5+ intruding SU-7s of the IAF. Soon, one of the SU-7s began to disintegrate under a burst of 30 mm shells from the F-6 formation leader, Flight Lieutenant Atique Sufi. In the melee that followed, Flight Lieutenant Mushaf Mir sent one more SU-7 down. The remaining SU-7s quickly retreated as they were pursued by the other two F-6 pilots, Flying Officers Salim Arshad and Riaz Sarwar.

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 7-Dec-71

Artwork Located:
Office of the AOC Southern Air Command

Description:
The painting shows the two-seat B-57C bomber trainer (No 846) of No 7 Squadron on a daylight raid against the Indian Army units massing up along the Khokrapar-Chor railway line leading into Hyderabad. Affectionately nicknamed "Baba"', the B-57 followed its bombing attacks by several strafing runs on the freight wagons lined up below. "Baba" and its two F-86 escorts from No 19 Squadron (top left) stayed over the target for over 30 minutes. A series of such missions from Masroor Air Force Base forced the enemy to abandon its planned offensive.

B-57 Aircrew

Flight Lieutenant Shabbir A Khan (Pilot)
Squadron Leader Shoaib Alam Khan (Navigator)

F-86 Escorts

Flight Lieutenant Mushtaq A Laghari (Leader)
Flight Lieutenant Khalid Mehmood Khalid (No 2)

Part 11: Pictorial History of Pakistan Air Force From the Brush Strokes of Hussaini - - 1968-1977 and the War of '71 (P-3)

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 5-Dec-71

Artwork Located:
Office of the DG Air Intelligence

Description:
On the night of 4 December 1971, Indian Osa missile boats attacked the Pakistan Navy, hitting a destroyer and a minesweeper southeast of Karachi. The menace of Indian missile boats was a very serious threat not only to the Navy but also to other Pakistani ships in the Arabian Sea and in the Karachi harbour. Pakistan retaliated by causing extensive damage through a single B-57 attack on Okha naval base in India. The bombs scored direct hit on fuel dumps, ammunition dump and the missile boats jetty. The missile boat attacks on Pakistani naval installations ceased thereafter.

The Pilots

Pilot Navigator
Flight Lieutenant Shabbir A Khan
Flight Lieutenant Ansar

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 4-Dec-71

Artwork Located:
National Defence College

Description:
Flight Lieutenant Sajjad Noor being rescued after ejecting from his disabled F-86 during the last dog-fight of No 14 Squadron over Dhaka. Noor had parachuted down across the river Buri Ganga, close to an Indian Army unit that was advancing toward Dhaka. An Alouette helicopter was immediately airborne and the downed pilot was picked up in a daring rescue - in which Helicopter Pilots PAF ground combatteres exchanged fire with the enemy troops that were trying to capture Noor.

The Pilots

Squadron Leader Sultan Khan
Flight Lieutenant Hamid Masood
On board Guards Airmen of the GC Wing, Dhaka

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 4-Dec-71

Artwork Located:
Chief of the Air Staff's Office

Description:
A Mianwali F-6 meets an IAF Hunter at dusk over lake Khabakki near Sakesar. The Hunter was gunned down, its pilot ejected and was taken POW. The F-6 was piloted by Flight Lieutenant Qazi Javed.

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 4-Dec-71

Artwork Located:
Air War College - PAF Faisal

Description:
Flight Lieutenant javed Latif destroys an IAF SU-7 over the railway line near Faisalabad. In the background is Flying Officer Riffat Munir, giving a chase to another SU-7. The F-6s belonged to No 23 Squadron deployed at Risalewala during the war.

A Trip to PAF Museum, Karachi - - Full of Fun, Enjoyment and Information About Past, Present and Future of Pakistan Air Force (PAF)

Today I'm going to share a beautiful evening; we spent at PAF Museum, Karachi. It was a hot day of July; but suddenly clouds came from somewhere and it made the afternoon worth of outing. The plan was made to have a trip to PAF Museum. All preparations were done in a hurry and flew towards the destination, PAF Museum.

On reaching there; it was just not too amazing that everybody from Karachi is out for some kind of outing because of a beautiful afternoon and even joyful evening.

Just entering the PAF Museum

Kids were just surprised and over-excited to see big aircraft around them.

PAF gallery at PAF Museum was just presenting glorious history of Pakistan Air Force. Few representatives were also present there to satisfy the curiosity of the visitors. Everybody was taking keen interest in the aircrafts and other air-war related armory.

Pictorial history of Pakistan Air Force (PAF)

A statue, behind the ambitious kid, with PAF Uniform.

Model of JF-17 Thunder, I think, and a Helicopter.

Trip to PAF Museum ..... to be continued

Part 10: Pictorial History of Pakistan Air Force From the Brush Strokes of Hussaini - - 1968-1977 and the War of '71 '65 (P-2)

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 4-Dec-71

Artwork Located:
Private Collection

Description:
Flight Lieutenant Salim Beg Mirza of No 26 Squadron destroys an IAF Hunter near Pimple Hill, west of the Peshawar runway. The Indian pilot did not survive.

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 4-Dec-71

Artwork Located:
"Army Staff College, Quetta"

Description:
The 1971 India-Pakistan War in the West began on 3 December 1971 and Pathankot airfield, located at the junction of Punjab and Kashmir, became the lynch-pin for all crucial land and air operations. It was bombed and pinned down by the PAF Mirage aircraft during the day and by the B-57s at night. The painting shows Pathankot airfield camouflaged with nets and camouflage paint, due to which the details merged very well with the surrounding terrain and were difficult to spot from the iisual distance by an attacking pilot. Here Squadron Leader Farooq Umer is manoeuvring and aligning his Mirage fighter recce aircraft to photograph this heavily defended IAF airfield after an earlier air strike by the PAF.

Visible at the beginning of the runway are two Indian aircraft burning on the main runway. Clearly visible on the parallel taxi tracks (on the left of the main Runway) are three grey patches indicating the points at which the taxi track has been freshly repaired, to recover from the damage caused by PAF strikes of the previous day.

Size: 28in x 40in Oil

Date: 1971

Artwork Located:
Presented to the President of Pakistan (1984)

Description:
A highly versatile and capable cargo aeroplane, PAFs C-130s have carried out many crucially needed tactical airlift, supply drop and para-trooping missions in support of Pak Army during both the 1965 and 1971 Wars. In peace time they have been used extensively for disaster relief and other humanitarian missions.

The painting depicts a Commando Assault in the midst of a battlefield during the 1971 War in East Pakistan.

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 4-Dec-71

Artwork Located:
Office of the Deputy Chief of Air Staff Operations

Description:
The last encounter

Proud to Be Pakistani - - Creating History: First Batch of Four Female Pilots Inducted in Pakistan Air Force (PAF)

Pakistan Air Force created history on March 30, 2006 when four females: Saba Khan, Nadia Gul, Mariam Khalil and Saira Batool received their flying wings after three and a half years of intensive training, breaking into an all-male bastion of Pakistan's armed forces. Indeed it was a red-letter day for feminists all over the world. Both the national and the international media gave extensive coverage to the event. Even the recipient of the coveted "Sword of Honour" got ignored in the melee. Nearly all the National dailies carried on their front-page the coloured pictures of the newly commissioned female pilots in their flying regalia occupying the cockpit of a T-37 jet trainer at the PAF Academy. At least four of the five leading English newspapers carried editorials, lauding the achievement.

Source: Bollywoodsargam

Part 9: Pictorial History of Pakistan Air Force From the Brush Strokes of Hussaini - - 1968-1977 And The War of '71 (P-1)

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: Nov-71

Artwork Located:
Private Collection

Description:
Three F-86Es returning to their home base at Masroor after a training flight.

Size: 3ft x 8ft Oil

Date: 15-Apr-71

Artwork Located:
Office if tge Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee

Description:
This was a joint services operation carried out at Bhairab Bazar where the largest and the only leftover reserves of food grain were preserved in the silos. The silos were located at the bank of the river and were occupied by the Indian infiltrators. The storage was recaptured after a well coordinated attack by the three forces. The Pak Navy brought the army troops in the small makeshift boats, mostly with outboard engines and fitted with machine guns. (The larger boats could not operate in this area because of the shallow water). The F-86s from No 14 Squadron Dhaka strafed and rocketed the strong hold of the enemy, while the army moved forward. The army heliborne contingent was led by the late Brigadier Tariq Mehmood, affectionately known as "T. M.", who was then a Major.

Mission Leader Squadron Leader Abbas Khattak
No. 2 Flight Lieutenant Khalid Mehmood Khalid
No. 3 Flying Officer Shafqat Mehmood
No. 4 Flying Officer Qazi Javed

Size: 6ft x 4ft Oil

Date: 4-Dec-71

Artwork Located:
Vice Chief of Air Staff's Office

Description:
The painting depicts Flying Officer M Shamsul Haq destroying one of the 4 SU-7s attacking Tejgaon airfield with his wing man Flying Officer Shamshad giving chase to a second SU-7. This is the beginning lof the greatest air battle of the day - led by Flying Officer Shams with the very young but spirited Flying Officer Shamshad on his wing immediately after they were scrambled at 0845. just as their wheels were locking up, 2 of a flight of 4 approaching SU7s fired their rockets at the F-86s, which were barely 200 ft above the trees. Shams broke into them and shot down one of the nearer pair of Sukhois with a Sidewinder, cheered by the squadron airmen watching from below. The remaining SU-7s turned tail but seconds later, Shams and Shamshad were directed by the Controller towards 4 approaching IAF Hunters. In the ensuing air battle, both pilots downed a Hunter each with their guns. Shamshad then returned to land but Shams spotted another Hunter over Tejgaon and fired his second Sidewinder at such close range that before its guidance system could take over, themissile streaked straight into the Hunter's tail pipe and blew up the engine. The Indian pilot's descent by parachute was in full view of many ground observers around the airfield. But now Shams, who had no ammunition left, was in trouble; he was suddenly surrounded by 4 Mig-21s which began to attack him in turn, driving him into a tight corner. The quick-thinking Shams immediately whipped into a max-rate steep turn at treetop height, with the Dhaka TV tower in the centre of it, jinking wildly as he turned. The Migs' attack pattern was effectively disrupted and, short of fuel, they soon exited the scene.

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 26 Feburary 1971

Artwork Located:
PAF Art Collection

Description:
The painting shows a jet Provost trainer of the British Royal Air Force - piloted by Pakistani Flight Cadet Saeed Ahmad - as it passes over the RAF College, Cranwell, from where Saeed would soon get his wings. On graduation day, he became the first Asian cadet pilot to win the coveted'Battle of Britain Aerobatics Trophy' at the world's oldest flying institution. By a rare coincidence, he received the trophy from another Pakistani, Air Marshal A Rahim Khan, C-in-C, PAF who had been requested to review the graduation parade. The Air Marshal was in England at the time on a goodwill visit, touring various RAF establishments.

Part 8: Pictorial History of Pakistan Air Force From the Brush Strokes of Hussaini - - 1958-1967 and the War of '65 (P-3)

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 1-Sep-65

Artwork Located:
Officer's Mess Headquarters 10 Corps

Description:
PAF scored its first victories in 1965 on 1st September when four Indian Vampire fighters which were attacking Pakistani troops in Chamb were shot down by two F-86 Sabres flown by Squadron Leader Sarfaraz Rafiqui and Flight Lieutenant Imtiaz Bhatti, two by each pilot. No Vampires were seen again for the remainder of the 1965 War. Controller on radar during this interception was Flight Lieutenant Farooq Haider from Sakesar.

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 3-Sep

Artwork Located:
Office of the AOC Central Air Command

Description:
Squadron Leader Brijpal Singh Sikand, Commander of an Indian fighter squadron, surrenders to a PAF F-104 in combat. The painting shows him landing his Gnat fighter at Pasrur, a Pakistani airfield near Gujranwala. The F-104 was flown by Flight Lieutenant Hakimullah who became the air chief two decades later. Sikand was taken prisoner and later rose to be an IAF Air Marshal. This encounter was the most unusual event of the 1965 Air War.

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 6-Sep-65

Artwork Located:
Air War College - PAF Faisal

Description:
Dawn over Wazirabad. Flight Lieutenant Aftab Alam Khan in an F-104A Starfighter destroys a Mystere IV and damages another, to mark the start of the India-Pakistan war. India launched the war over West Pakistan with an attack by a formation of four Mystere IV aircraft. The Mysteres crossed the international border to attack a Pakistani train near Wazirabad. Flight Lieutenant Aftab Alam Khan was on a routine morning combat air patrol in the Chamb/Mangla area. He was directed by the Controller at Sakesar, Flight Lieutenant Farooq Haider, to intercept the intruders. First contact with the enemy was made as the F-104 passed head on through the Mystere formation. In the ensuing combat at tree top level, he skillfully outmanoeuvred the opponents to destroy one Mystere and damage another. The remaining members of the formation managed to slip away in the poor light conditions, only to tell the tale of the "dreaded F-104 and the deadly Sidewinder". Apart from being the first encounter to start the war in earnest, the engagement was also significant in other respects. It marked a new era of dog-fighting at very low altitude. It was also the first combat kill by any Mach-2 aircraft, and the first missile kill for the Pakistan Air Force.

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: Sep-61

Artwork Located:
Presented to the Chief of the British Royal Air Force (1992)

Description:
In 1961, Flight Lieutenant Hameed Anwar, a young PAF Officer on exchange posting with the British Royal Air Force, brought distinction to his parent Service by being selected as a member of the RAF's official display team. Hameed, a veteran of the PAF's own formation aerobatic team, was eagerly welcomed into the "Blue Diamonds".

The painting shows the team of sixteen Hawker Hunters performing at the Farnborough Air Show.

Size: 12ft x 4ft Oil

Date: 2nd Feburary 1958

Artwork Located:
Air Headquarters Officer's Mess Islamabad

Description:
2nd February 1958 was a significant day in the history of aviation as well as that of the Pakistan Air Force. On that day, for the first time a formation of 16 fighters (F-86 Sabres) performed a loop during an air display at Masroor Air Base at Karachi. The painting is partly symbolic, depicting the leading elements of the 16 "Falcons" (their call sign) taking off from the runway at Masroor. In the background is an impression of the 16 Sabres in immaculate formation as they looked after having joined up, climbing vertically for a loop. The team was led by the renowned fighter pilot and wartime leader of the Air Force, Wing Commander M Z Masud, who was later awarded Hilal-e-Jurat in the 1965 War.

The Team

Wing Commander M Z Masud
Squadron Leader Nazir Latif
Squadron Leader S U Khan Ghulam Haider
Squadron Leader S M Ahmad Aftab
Squadron Leader Ahmad M Sadruddin
Flight Lieutenant Sajjad Haider
Flight Lieutenant A U Ahmad
Flight Lieutenant Hameed Anwar
Flight Lieutenant Muniruddin Ahmad
Flight Lieutenant M Arshad
Flight Lieutenant Jamal A Khan
Flight Lieutenant A M K Lodhie
Flight Lieutenant Wiqar Azirn
Flight Lieutenant M L Middlecoat

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 1965

Artwork Located:
Auditorium Gallery - Air Headquarters

Description:
Squadron Leader Muhammad Mahmud Alam emerged from 1965 War as Pakistan's top scoring fighter ace. The painting shows him in his favourite F-86 F-35-NA with the victory tally marked alongside the aircraft. (Nine kills and two probables). Squadron Leader Muhammad Mahmud Alam, Commander of No 11 Squadron in 1965, was already a notable leader and highly experienced pilot. He also excelled in gunnery competitions - a skill that no doubt contributed greatly to his becoming the first and only jet ace in one mission. This Pakistani Squadron Commander established a combat record which has few equals in the history of jet air warfare.

Flying an F-86F Sabre over the battle lines on September 6, Alam
first engaged a flight of IAF Hunters. In the ensuing dog-fight, he scored two kills. On September 7, he led an intercept mission against IAF Hawker Hunters that were attacking Sargodha airfield. When the six Hunters broke, Alam loosed a Sidewinder missile at their "'tail-end Charlie". The missile quickly found its mark and blew the Hunter out of the sky. The Hunter pilots also saw the F-86s, and all five broke left in a line-astern formation, crossing in front of Alam's guns. Alam then performed a virtuoso, but well-dQcumented feat of gunnery by shooting down four of the Hunters in rapid succession. In action again on the 17th, Alam bagged another brace of Hunters to bring his final score to nine confirmed kills and two probables.

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 10-Oct-65

Artwork Located:
Entrance - Directorate of Plans

Description:
No 24 Squadron of the PAF operated the GD/ Martin RB-57Fs, the highly specialised ultra high altitude reconnaissance aircraft. Their enormous 122 ft wing span earned them the name of 'Droopies'. The RB-57F could cruise comfortably at 80,000 ft out of the reach of any fighter or SAM of that time. They were in PAF service during the 1965 War and overflew most of the IAF airfields at heights up to 67,000 ft or more. During one of the post-war reconnaissance missions, the 'Droopy' shown in the painting was badly damaged by 3 Russian supplied SA-2 SAMs. The aircraft was hit when it lost some height over Ambala during a turn towards its home base. The fragments of exploding SAMs around the aircraft caused major structural damage and almost knocked out the vertical stabilizer and one of its auxiliary turbojets, which hampered its accurate flight. Despite the intense enemy activity, the skilful handling of the situation both by the pilot and the navigator made it possible for the aircraft to land back at Peshawar. The aircraft skidded along the runway with its nose wheels jammed before it came to a final halt.

The Pilots

Pilot Navigator Squadron Leader Rasheed Meer
Flying Officer Sultan Malik

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: Nov-65

Artwork Located:
Private Collection

Description:
The painting shows a pair of No 15 Squadron Sabres near the K-2 peak. The tail fins of the squadron F-86Fs carry the unit's emblem - a cobra poised to strike. Until the Base Commander ordered it off the air base, a fully grown cobra mascot and its basket were kept for a time in the flight commander's office, and fed by volunteer pilots.

Size: 2ft x 3ft Oil

Date: 20-Dec-65

Artwork Located:
Officer's Mess PAF Sargodha

Description:
The first two F-6s (Mig-19s made in China) arrive at Sargodha Air Base. The pilots flew over the Karakorams directly from the Chinese airfield at Hotian. The F-6 carried VHF radios, Soviet style instruments and many pieces of equipment that were strange to the PAF pilots and technical hands. The Pakistani markings were not yet painted and the pilots wore leather helmets and throat mikes. Many officers and men of Sargodha gathered near the runway to watch the landings.

Pilots

Squadron Leader M Sadruddin
Flight Lieutenant Khalid lqbal