KITS 05/2021

No. 5121, Pham Tuan, 921st Fighter Regiment, Noi Bai AB, Democratic Republic of Vietnam, December 1972

MiG-21MF coded 5121 is currently displayed in the museum of the Vietnam People’s Air Force in Hanoi. Reportedly, on December 27th,

1972, Pham Tuan flew this aircraft when he shot down an American B-52 taking part in bombing operations during the Linebacker II offensive. It would be the only MiG-21MF kill over a Stratofortress, but American sources claim the bomber was lost to a SAM.

Pham Tuan would later become the only Vietnamese astronaut. He was a crewmember of Soyuz 37 and orbited the earth 142 times in the

Salyut 6 station. For his accomplishments, he was awarded high Vietnamese commendations, and was one of a few foreigners to be awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union.

No. 9712, 9th Fighter Regiment, Bechyně, Czechoslovakia, 1989 - 1993

This aircraft had the serial number 969712, and was built in 1974, and subsequently delivered to Czechoslovakia. It served with the 4th Fighter Regiment at Pardubice till May 1989, at which time it was transferred to the 9th Fighter Regiment. Here, it flew with the Bechyne coat of

arms on the left side of the nose. After the Velvet Divorce, this aircraft was assigned to the Slovak Air Force, and is currently in the collection

of the air museum at Trencin, Slovakia. The aircraft carries a camouflage scheme as originally delivered from the Soviet Union.

No. 127, 812th Training Air Regiment, Kharkov Higher Military Aviation School of Pilots, Kupyansk Airfield, Soviet Union, August 1991

This aircraft, adorned with a sharkmouth and eyes, served with the 812. UAP (812th Training Air Regiment) operating within the structure

of the Kharkov higher training facility. This was one of the aircraft that were displayed for the leadership during the open house on

August 18th, 1991.

INFO Eduard - May 2021

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