Mongolian transport types seemed to have led a ‘limbo’-like existence between the military and the civilian services. Parachutists entering an Antonov An-2. Whilst carrying a ‘civilian’ suffix to its identity, the aircraft appears dark or even camouflaged and carries a winged badge of sorts beneath the cockpit.

Hand-over ceremony of a Kamov Ka-26 Hoodlum in the late 1960s. This machine served with the BIT border guards. Il-14 behind.

Apart from an unknown quantity of transports, the MPA Air Force is believed to only have four genuinely military-marked Mi-8 Hips operational. These include No 3194 seen airborne during the summer of 1994. The national marking may have been applied over a Soviet star, implying a basic repaint.

Three Mil-24s in front of the hardened shelters at Nalaih. Personal observation could reveal no trace of a runway and no taxiway system could be found, leading to the conclusion that the base was only designed for helicopter operations. Substantial numbers of four-exit hardened shelter hubs were to be seen - perhaps the Soviets built the base for a full helicopter division.

Mi-24 Hind ‘Yellow 02’ on the PSP-like surface at Nalaih, Mongolia, during the summer of 1994. While there were claims that one was kept operational for training and the examples seen looked in good condition, they are all thought to have been withdrawn from service in 1993. Eight Mi-24s may be seen in the distance.

Classic pose showing pilots talking tactics in front of a camouflaged Mongolian MiG-21PFM, pre 1990. There is clear evidence of the call-sign number having been overpainted and only the faintest evidence of the ‘Zoyombo’ (in red) on the fin. Interestingly, the PVD (pitot) boom carries the number ‘1401’ in white.

Side view of MiG-21PFM ‘Red 007’, clearly showing the national marking, without the red star, by late 1990. All of the surviving MiGs were mothballed in 1993 and are unlikely ever to fly again.

Earliest photographic evidence of the ‘Zoyombo’ national marking, carried on the fuselage of Yak-9Us and a UT-2,1946.

This An-24 was one of a number delivered to MIAT - Mongolian Airlines. The MPA Air Force is said to have had between six and 24 An-24s but there seems to be much confusion as to how many were actually operated as many of the reports are thought to have referred to deliveries to MIAT, which was operated by the military until 1982.

The jet age. Inspecting a MiG-15UTI, 1969. The top of the ‘Zoyombo’ national marking can be discerned on the fin, above the head of the character second right.