I remember hearing rumors that departing Grumman engineers or IAF personnel loyal to the Shah sabotaged the software interface for the AIM-54s.
Software interface in 1980? Did they shuffle the punchcards or something?
I remember hearing rumors that departing Grumman engineers or IAF personnel loyal to the Shah sabotaged the software interface for the AIM-54s.
I'm not saying Ill take what Reconjoe had to say hook line and sinker without some references, but is it really THAT hard to believe that China, or Russia for that matter were / are making replacement parts for the Iranians?
Iran has its own manufacturing capability for sure, and they could be doing it all themselves... but considering the relationships that they have had, mostly with Russia though I think China as well, I wouldnt be at all surprised to hear Reconjoe's post substantiated.
But how many of them crashed in the desert?Two out of 79. That's a lot of parts.
But how many of them crashed in the desert?
Wouldn't it be in the best interest of Russia and China not to manufacture parts for them since then they would might buy more planes from them (notice to other fighter jet in the background during the segment? And why would they be so keen on getting parts from retired US F-14's if they already had a steady supply?
Don't underestimate Iranian ingenuity or resourcefulness, they may not be a world power but they have kept a good chunk of the Air Force we sold them still flying 30 years after we cut them off. And don't underestimate the utility of a hangar queen either, I saw only two Tomcats flying in that whole video. Two out of 79. That's a lot of parts.
Less than 77.
That MiG-21 is probably 10 years older than the Tomcats.
Im not advocating one scenario over another. I'm simply saying it wouldnt be surprising to me at all..........but for now I wouldn't be surprised,
in fact I would almost expect parts to be coming from a variety of sources to include US, Russia and China.
F-7, forgot about the ChiCom knock-offs
What ever happened to all those Iraqi jets that scooted to Iran in Gulf War I?