15 May 1992 Capt.Ivica Ivandic defected with this MiG-21bis to Croatia. MiG-21bis '102' - nick-named 'Osvetnik Dubrovnika' ('Avenger of Dubrovnik') was the former '17235' of the JRViPVO. In service with the HRZ it was left in the original Light Grey (FS36373) overall finish, with radome and dielectric panels painted in Olive Drab (FS16165). The aircraft wears also the insignia of the - then - 1st Squadron HRZ - black knight helmet with shield in Croatian national colours - and the town arms of the historic City of Dubrovnik, which was heavily damaged by Serbian air and artillery strikes, in 1991. It is believed that this is the sole survivor of the original three HRZ MiG-21s, acquired through defections of JRViPVO pilots, in 1992. Note that the insignia of the 1st Squadron HRZ was subsequently kept in this form when the unit was renumbered into 21st Squadron.
Croatia
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Military
102
ex-17235, c/n.2741
Ivandic Ivica
The painting scheme before squadron insignia applied.
Croatia
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Military