picture 206767

The IAF acquired a total of 24 Il-76MD Gajraj transports in the mid-1980s, which were assigned to No. 25 and No. 44 Squadrons. Both units became heavily involved in running the air bridge to Sri Lanka in support of the IPKF. Their aircraft brought the three T-72 MBTs of the Indian Army to Palali AB in October 1987. All had the top surfaces of their fuselage painted in white, a thin blue cheat line, and wings, horizontal stabilisers and lower portions of the fuselage painted in grey. Their introduction to service marked the start of the application of the service title on IAF transports: in Hindu on the port left and in English on the right/starboard side of the fuselage. (Artwork by Tom Cooper)