Pakistani F-104G

[comrade harps]

Lockheed F-104G Starfighter
a/c 662, No. 17 Air Superiority Squadron, PAF Base Peshawar, Pakistan Air Force
3 September 1977



Disappointed by the support provided by SEATO and the United Nations during its 1965 war against the non-UN state of India, Pakistan left both organisations in 1967. However, Pakistan remained a member of the Central Treaty Organisation (CENTO) and during the 1970s became increasingly reliant on Iran for technical military support.




Lockheed supplied 120 F-104G Starfighters to the Pakistani Air Force during the 1960s. By the mid-70s this force was in crisis. Depleted through attrition, suffering from low survivability and in dire need of deep overhaul and updates, Pakistan established the Starfighter Rebuild Factory at the  Pakistan Aeronautical Complex for overhauls and spares and looked for secondhand Starfighters to add numbers to their inventory. 




Significant help came from fellow CENTO member, Iran. Iran Aircraft Industries (IAI) had assembled, then built, over 300 F-/RF-/T-104Gs from the mid-1960s and continued production into the 70s with the F-104P. A significant Starfighter maintenance and repair capability was built by IAI to support Iran's inventory, this being exported to Pakistan through a series of spares, training and technology transfer agreements.

Between 1974 and 1976 Iran sold 38 overhauled, secondhand Starfighters to the PAF, including 31 F-104Gs, 4 TF-104Gs and 3 RF-104Gs. This aircraft, with side number 662, has been identified as one of the ex-Iranian AIr Force examples due to its Iranian-standard desert camouflage. It is believed to have been delivered to Pakistan in 1976.



It is seen here as photographed before a combat mission on 3 September, 1977. Growing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan resulted in both nations supporting guerrilla and terrorist groups against each other during the 70s. In late August, 1977, Kabul-backed terrorists mounted a series of attacks against Pakistani border police stations and conducted bombings of civilian targets in border towns. In response, Pakistan mounted Operation Saif, a series of simultaneous attacks against "command, control and communications facilities and base and training camps" in Afghanistan on 3 September.



PAF Starfighters were heavily involved in these attacks, performing pre- and post-strike photo-reconnaissance, attack (with bombs and rockets) and air superiority missions. No. 17 Air Superiority Squadron provided offensive counter air, performing top-cover escort and establishing barrier combat air patrols (BarCAPs) to protect the F-104G and Mirage F.1A attackers and various helicopters involved with the insertion and extraction of airborne assault and special forces troops involved in the operation.



662 was flown on an afternoon  BarCAP mission during Operation Saif by Flt. Lt. Yousuf Ahmed, who engaged (with his wingman) 2 Afghan F-5A Freedom Fighters that attempted to disrupt the Pakistani incursion. Firing his 2 AIM-9F Sidewinders (Australian rebuilt AIM-9Bs with improved electronics and seeker head), Flt. Lt. Ahmed shot down the lead F-5A. The (unknown) Afghan pilot ejected and is believed to have survived. His wingman made a hasty and successful retreat. This was the only air combat during Operation Saif.

[Weaver]

That looks good, and a well thought-out back story too.

[PR19_Kit]

F-104s are pretty difficult to paint in a bad looking scheme, and that one looks terrific. 

[NARSES2]

She does look good in that scheme 

[zenrat]

F-104s are pretty difficult to paint in a bad looking scheme, and that one looks terrific. 

That's almost a challenge...

Looks good Comrade.