02/02/2022
Remembering the world record set by PAF “Falcons”. On February 2, 1958, a formation of 16 PAF F-86 Sabre aircraft performed a loop for the first time during an air display at Masroor Air Base, Karachi. Wing commander Zafar Masud led his team of pilots to this remarkable feat and set a world record at the Pakistan air show.
On February 02 1958, prominent political and military leaders gathered at Masroor Base (previously known as Mauripur) in Karachi, to watch the spectacular air show of the Pakistani fighter pilots. King Mohammad Zahir Shah (Afghanistan), President Iskander Mirza (Pakistan), Commanders-in-Chief of Iran, Iraq and Turkey, ambassadors of various countries, Pakistani Federal Cabinet Ministers, civil and military elite, and other notable individuals attended the show.
At approximately 9:30 am, 16 F-86 Sabres, led by the renowned pilot Zafar Masud, flew in formation and performed a precise diamond-shaped loop. The team that performed this remarkable feat was known as “Falcons”. It was indeed a perfectly accomplished feat of flying. The pilots, who had been preparing for weeks together, thus set a world record and received international acclaim.
British aviation magazine “The Aeroplane” praised the performance in its issue on February 14, 1958. It was a proud moment for the Pakistan Air Force as well as the aviation community of Pakistan as a whole. Pakistan Air Force applauds Masud and his team for setting this world record, which brought tremendous honor to Pakistan and the PAF.
