Remarks: Still in the old original IC livery. Now that her sister ESC bears the new Air India livery, shouldn't be too long before we see ESE too in a new coat. Also, is the commander operating the overhead panel or shielding his eyes from the sharp sun?
Remarks: Having missed its usual early 06:30 departure slot, MME had to wait for the queue to clear before pushing back. Her nose wheel is cradled in the TBL (tow bar less) tractor of ground handler Globe Ground, the only user of TBL tractors in Bangalore.
Remarks: First photo of a MiG-27 on JP. The MiG-27ML fighter bomber is an export version of the MiG-27M developed for the Indian Air Force. Since 1988 it is manufactured at Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), Nashik (near Mumbai) and is dubbed "Bahadur" (brave). In January 2002, the IAF commenced a Service Life Extension Programme (SLEP) for 40 of its MiG-27ML aircraft. The HAL Aircraft Upgrade Research & Design Centre (AURDC) prepared two prototype "upgrade" aircraft. The first was tail number TS640, re-numbered to TU640 (reflecting upgrade), made its maiden flight on 25 March 2004. It is pictured here in its now fading celebration paint scheme.
