Background: During this short and bitter war, PAF Starfighters tangled with Indian MiG-21s on three separate occasions and faired poorly each time. On 12 December, two F-104s attempting a low altitude, high speed strafing attack on an Indian airfield were bounced by two MiG-21s. One Starfighter immediately broke off, escaping at supersonic speed while the other foolishly went into a tight circling break turn. The lighter MiGs easily hung on through the turn and when the F-104 leveled out to run, the lead MiG fell in behind and shot it down with cannon fire. On 17 December, another strafing attack resulted in a near identical situation; on this occasion, one F-104 was first damaged by an Atoll missile and then finished off by cannon fire. The other escaped as before. Later that same afternoon, two Starfighters met two MiGs escorting some HF-24 Maruts head-on and initiated a low altitude dogfight. The MiGs split, one going high, and the F-1 04s did likewise. The low MiG quickly outturned the low F-104 getting on its tail. The other Starfig hter flashed past the high MiG, then rolled over and dove after the low MiG now pursuing his wingman. This allowed the high MiG to roll down onto his tail. The diving Starfighter fired its cannon at the low MiG but missed and shortly thereafter both F-1 04s were hit and destroyed by Atoll missiles salvoed by the pursuing MiGs. In each of these engagements, the F-1 04s either failed to spot the attack in time, or made the mistake of battling on the MiG-21 s' terms. The American-made, high altitude, high energy interceptor with small wings, unsuited to dogfighting, tried to beat the lighter, more agile MiGs at low altitudes in turning duels. They deserved to lose. Perhaps you can do better? Set Up 1: The Bounces! (1st and 2d engagements) Maps: A B Set Up 2: The Fair Fight! (3rd engagement) Starfighter-Fishbed Duels! Game Length: 15 game turns. Notes: 1. The F-1 04s are silver, the MiGs camouflaged. In set up #1 the MiGs begin unspotted, in set up #2 all a/c are spotted. 2. F-104 loads: stations 1,5= AIM-9B IRM, station 3= 600L FT. MiG Loads: stations 1, 3= AA-2A Atoll IRM, station 2= GP9 (GSh-23) gunpack.  3. In set up #1 the Starfighters may not change speed or altitude and may only use EZ turns and slide maneuvers until the MiGs are spotted or game turn 3 begins, whichever comes first. 4. Optionals: Fuel: (set ups 1, 2) F-104 start= 250, 300. Bingo= 220, 140. MiG start- 200, 150. Bingo= 40, 100. Pilot Quality: All R, roll for attributes, no characteristics apply. All are considered European quality for initiative. Back to Table of Contents -- Air Power # 20 Back to Air Power List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1992 by J.D. Webster This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com