igor113

The HF24,when it was being developed,was one of the most elegant(the only other competitor as far as streamlining and beauty was the British Hunter) and futuristic fighters of its time.Unfortunately no one was willing to give the technology in so far as the engines were concerned. The countries which had the technology(USA , USSR , Great Britain) had their own axe's to grind and declined to assist India. How could a third world nation develop a fighter?? and that to without their permission???!!! The endeavour of Dr Kurt Tank went in vain as finally a cash and technology strapped India had to make do by putting twin Orpheus engines( the only available engines with India since the Indians were license producing the British Folland Gnat)in the HF 24.With Dr Wehrner Von Braun the story was different ---once the Americans 'captured' him , they opened Fort Knox so that he could put a man on the Moon!!