Hero Pham Tuan’s Mig21 becomes “national treasure”

A Mig 21 aircraft that was flown by hero Pham Tuan to shoot down B52’s in 1972 and the tank T54B that participated in the attack to the Independence Palace on April 30, 1975 have been recognized as "national treasures."

VietNamNet Bridge – A Mig 21 aircraft that was flown by hero Pham Tuan to shoot down B52’s in 1972 and the tank T54B that participated in the attack to the Independence Palace on April 30, 1975 have been recognized as "national treasures."

These two treasures are on display at the Vietnam Military History Museum at 28A Dien Bien Phu, Hanoi.

The MiG-21 aircraft, number 5121, was a fighter aircraft of Regiment 921, Division 371 of the Air Force from July 1972. On the night of 27/12/1972 (the tenth day of the Dien Bien Phu on the air campaign), this aircraft, flown by hero Pham Tuan, departed from Yen Bai airport.

On the airspace of Son La province, Pham Tuan detected a B52 and asked for permission to attack. He quickly passed the fence of fighters of the enemy and followed the B52 then attacked them with two missiles.

The second B52 in the team was shot down. Pham Tuan flew his aircraft back to Yen Bai airport and landed safely. In addition to shooting down a B52, this Mig21 also shot down four other aircraft.

Another national treasure is the T54 tank, number 843, which led a team of tanks to attack the Saigon Presidential Palace (now the Palace of Independence) on April 30, 1975.

The Soviet-made tank, with 12.7mm gun, is now on display in a formal position in the museum.

The Vietnam Military History Museum also has many other valuable artifacts such as the Jeep number 15 770, which entered the Independence Palace on April 30, 1975.