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Which is the first IAF plane to get an Indian name?

Last updated on: May 10, 2006 14:49 IST
Know the Indian Air Force

Which IAF aircraft was the first to acquire an 'Indian' Name?
Take the Rediff News Quiz and find out how much you know about the IAF.

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1. The IAF recently retired the 'Super Spy' MiG-25R aircraft. When these aircraft first entered service in 1981, the IAF had given it an Indian name. What is it?
a. Baaz
b. Vajra
c. Garuda

2. Remember the legendary battles between Rana Pratap and Emperor Akbar in the 16th century? In today's IAF, Rana Pratap and Akbar fight for the same side -- what do we mean by that?
a. Rana Pratap and Akbar are famous war heroes in the IAF.
b. Rana Pratap and Akbar are the names of IAF helicopters.
c. Rana Pratap and Akbar are codenames for IAF forward airbases.

Wrong! Try again.
Wrong! The correct answer is B. The IAF named its Mi-8 helicopter Rana and its subsequent upgraded version, the Mi-17 Pratap. The world famous Mi-24 Hind Attack helicopter is called Akbar. But much before Rana, Pratap or Akbar had arrived on the scene, the IAF had the Chetak, its name for the Indian-built version of the Allouette III helicopter. Chetak was Rana Pratap's horse.
Correct! The correct answer is B. The IAF named its Mi-8 helicopter Rana and its subsequent upgraded version, the Mi-17 Pratap. The world famous Mi-24 Hind Attack helicopter is called Akbar. But much before Rana, Pratap or Akbar had arrived on the scene, the IAF had the Chetak, its name for the Indian-built version of the Allouette III helicopter. Chetak was Rana Pratap's horse.

3. Trishul and Vikram are names for the same make of aircraft in the MiG family. What aircraft are we taking about?
a. MiG-23
b. MiG-29
c. MiG-21

Wrong! Try again..
Wrong! The correct answer is C. The Trishul is the name for the earlier MiG-21M variant, while the Vikram is the name for the MiG-21 Bis.
Correct!
Trishul is the name for the earlier MiG-21M variant, while the Vikram is the name for the MiG-21 Bis

4. Which aircraft was the first in the IAF to acquire an 'Indian' name?
a. Vajra
b. Toofani
c. Ajeet

Wrong! Try again..
Wrong! The correct answer is B. Toofani was the name given to the French-built Dassault Ouragan fighter inducted by the IAF in 1953. Ouragan in French means 'Hurricane' in English and Toofan in Hindi.
Vajra is the French built Dassault Mirage 2000 which was inducted in 1985.
Ajeet is the name for the Indian-built enhanced version of the Folland Gnat Fighter.
Correct! Toofani was the name for the French-built D assault Ouragan fighter inducted by the IAF in 1953. Ouragan in French means 'Hurricane' in English and Toofan in Hindi.
Vajra is the French built Dassault Mirage 2000 which was inducted in 1985.
Ajeet is the name for the Indian-built enhanced version of the Folland Gnat fighter.

Earlier Quiz: What is a Bison?

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Compiled by: Bharat Rakshak