Love is in the air: IAF veteran recalls romance with now-retiring MiG-21

After years of service, IAF to retire legendary Soviet-origin plane today

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It was love at first sight, the sun shining on her “majestic, dazzling beauty”, leaving him wondering - was he good enough for her.

To hear Wing Commander Avinash Chikte (Retd) talk about the MiG-21 is to revisit an old sweetheart, full of grace, challenging and oh so unforgettable.

On Friday, the Indian Air Force will retire the legendary Soviet-origin plane that was the backbone of its combat fleet for six decades in an elaborate sendoff in Chandigarh. As the fighter jets streak through the skies for that one last time, Chikte is also getting ready to bid his adieu.

It has been 43 years since Chikte first set his eyes on what he describes as a “magnificent flying machine’.

He was just 21 at the time and remembers every detail.