Some really fine images of IAF MiG 25s. Koku Fan and Air Forces Monthly published some of these pictures in 1991. Reproduced here with the kind permission of Swiss photographer Peter Steinemann. Here we have some of Peter's recent scans of his old slides. Having scanned a few negative strips myself (see my Luftwaffe blog) I know what a time-consuming process this can be, so thank you Peter! Peter writes;
".. The MiG-25s in Indian Air Force service were a little camera shy during their active service. Six MiG-25R reconnaissance aircraft (serial KP351 to 356) together with two MiG-25U conversion trainers (serials DS361 and 362) arrived in India in mid-1981 and formed No.102 "Trisonics" Squadron after they were re-assembled with Soviet assistance. As the Squadron name suggests, the arrival of these aircraft propelled the IAF into the trisonic era. Two additional MiG-25R arrived most likely some years later of which KP3106 was one. They were based at Air Force Station Bareilly until their retirement in May 2006, but became the A flights from No, 35 Squadron "Rapiers" in 2003. Six air frames still exist today and are on display at various locations in India, but most (if not all) are unfortunately no longer in the original paint schemes..."
Great images, beautifully shot, and such an absolutely awesome subject - the photos certainly capture the 'brutish' nature of the Foxbat. Probably my favourite Soviet Cold War jet.
