| title (item) | field_cer_web | field_cer_navbox | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soko J-21 Jastreb |
As of the summer of1991, the mass of visual reconnaissance and power-demonstration sorties over Croatia were assigned to units flying the J-21 Jastreb, a light striker armed with three internally installed 12.7mm Browning M3 machine guns in the nose. Underwing hardpoints enabled the installation of a total of two 100kg or 250kg bombs and up to six 5-inch HVAR (5in/127mm) unguided rockets. J-21 serial number 24130 was assigned to Mostar-based 240th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Squadron at the time, and is shown as armed with a L57-17MD pod for 57mm S-5K unguided rockets: this was the – shorter – Yugoslav variant of the ubiquitous Soviet-made UB-16-57 pod, which was sometimes carried without its aerodynamic front cover, for quicker re-load. While involved in routine exercises in August, this unit flew regular combat sorties in September 1991, and was not only one of the first to remove the large white tactical numbers from the noses of its jets, but also one where this work was done with particular care. (Artwork by Tom Cooper)