As the above logo suggests all but 2 paintings below are by A Hussaini of PAF

September 1965

The war with India in 1965 presented not only a challenge but also a test of PAF's hitherto much-praised abilities. It took on an adversary five times larger. What followed for the next fortnight is now aviation history. Many stories and several books have been written about the scintillating performance of PAF pilots during that conflict. These paintings depict some of the actual combats

First encounter of 1965 war resulted in destruction of 4 IAF Vampires at the hands of Rafiqui & Co

The ball of fire in the background is an IAF Mystere which tried to get to grips with this Saber

 

The unsung heroes of the war. Camera fitted T-33 were extensively used for reconnaissance missions without fighter escort.

 

Hunter hunted by the Saber

 

F-104 fighter takes out its first despatch of '65'

 

Starfighter scores another hit

 

F-104 gave Pakistanis the night intercption capablity. This resulted in the misfortunes of this IAF Canberra over Pakitan - pilot ejected and became POW.

 

One of the most daring innovations by PAF was this two seater F-104B flying over IAF airfields upside down at Mach 1+ speed with 'co pilot' using hand held camera during a 'photo recce' mission!

 

Sabers wreck havoc at Gurdaspur rail yard with these war ammo ladden trains. The fireworks were reported widely by other PAF crews. Note the wing damage from the expluding ammo.

 

Battle of Chowinda is know for the clash of the armour but it was the Sabers of the PAF which turned the tide in Pakistan's favour

 

Sabers Attacked Amritsar Radar with rockets and guns

 

Pak Army was given close air support to avert several potential Indian breakthroughs.

 

One of the most devastating strikes by the PAF during the 65 war was the successful attack on the Indian forward airbase at Pathankot. Note the brand new Mig-21 helplessly caught in their pens

 

The most significant PAF successes on the Eastern front was by these Dacca based Sabers which led a daring surprise attack on IAF airfield at Kalai Kunda to decimate the neatly parked Canberras.

 

Another Innovative PAF patent was to use the giant Hercules transport as heavy night bomber with devastating effect.

 

This special RB-57 'Droopy' reconnaissance version of the B-57 took several SAM hits and still managed to get back to Peshawar.

 

One of the war trophies for the PAF was the Air Arrest of an IAF Gnat (see elsewhere on this site) The Starfighter circling above made the 'arrest'

 

And here is the very aircraft in my arms!! The captured Gnat has been part of PAF museum for 35 years.

 

British Artist Vic Carls imortalises M M Alim's historic battle against the IAF Hunters over Sargodha.

 

Vic Carls canvass reflection of the battle at Chowinda where PAF Sabers wrecked havoc upone Indian Armour.

 

M M Alim's famous saber over Sargodha. Note the Indian Flags just under the cockpit denoting his score in 65.

  

 

Victory rarely comes without a price. One of the most popular Aces of 65 war, Sarfraz Rafiqui goes down, outnumbered by Hunters and handicapped by a Jammed gun.

 

A B-57 takes Ack Ack hit while attacking IAF airfields. Pilot and his navigator ejected to spend rest of the war as POWs.

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