KITS 10/2021

263rd Independent Reconnaissance Air Squadron, Soviet Air Force, Kabul Airfield, Afghanistan, 1981

Following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, recce aircraft appeared at local airfields. The 263rd Independent Reconnaissance

Air Squadron (ORAE) moved to Afghanistan in early January 1980 and found its home at Bagram and Kandahar air bases. The

squadron began to fly their aircraft from Kabul in late April 1980 and stayed there till 1984. The depicted MiG-21R was one of the

recce aircraft that operated from this air base. The camouflage scheme was created to match the appearance of the local landscape. Many Soviet aircraft flown in Afghanistan were equipped with chaff and flare dispensers. These could be carried by this

specific aircraft as well, however this are not visible in photographs.

353rd Reconnaissance Air Squadron, Yugoslav Air Force, Zelyava Air Base, Yugoslavia, 1971

The Yugoslav Air Force purchased a dozen MiG-21Rs from the Soviet Union. These were delivered either in 1968 or 1969 and

served under the local type designation L-14I. The first user of Aircraft 26104 was the 126th Reconnaissance Squadron that flew

all of the Yugoslav MiG-21Rs. This Squadron was a part of the 204th Fighter Air Regiment. The next users of this aircraft were

the 352nd and 353rd Reconnaissance Squadrons prior to being scrapped at Kraljevo. The white lightning appeared on the nose

during 'Sloboda' military exercise in 1971.

Air Test Department, Czech Air Force, Caslav Air Base, Czechoslovakia, 1994

The appearance of the MiG-21R No. 1501 (s/n 94R001501) changed many times during its service in the Czechoslovak and Czech

Air Force. Delivered in natural metal finish, it served in that form until general overhaul when a green and brown camouflage

was applied. The black and white checkerboard on the rudder and triangles on the nose were painted afterwards. The aircraft

was delivered to Czechoslovakia in January 1969 and was flown by the 47th Reconnaissance Air Regiment till 1993. In 1994, after

overhaul, it was flown by the 28th Fighter-Bomber Air Regiment for a short period and then used by the Air Test Department

(also known as 'Stress Flight') during late 1994 and 1995. The 47th Recce Air Regiment unit badge – a jackal head – is painted on

the port side of the nose. The nickname of ground personnel member DOKTOR is painted on the canopy frame. Currently, the

aircraft is preserved in Prague-Kbely Air Museum.

INFO Eduard - October 2021

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