[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

I vote for all of them.

More than an Ajeet, i would urge you to go for a Gnat. The Ajeet was more or less an improved Gnat with two additional pylons. The Gnat's history with the IAF begs for a dedicated model. A model with a Sabre killing Gnat serial number would be icing on the cake.

Still would love to see Tejas first from your list.

Thus far I was thinking of making it a Indian indigenous only squadron. But you & Foxbat bring up an interesting point of including some famous aircraft like a Sabre killing Gnat or a MiG-25 or continuing the thought chain the first aircraft (Hawker Seahawk) to do a carrier landing on INS Vikrant. Where the Gnat goes the choice could be between Denzil Keelor ( who was my neighbor when I was a kid) or Sekhon who won the PVC. BTW I procured the C-17 in IAF colours after seeing yours!

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

Thus far I was thinking of making it a Indian indigenous only squadron. But you & Foxbat bring up an interesting point of including some famous aircraft like a Sabre killing Gnat or a MiG-25 or continuing the thought chain the first aircraft (Hawker Seahawk) to do a carrier landing on INS Vikrant. Where the Gnat goes the choice could be between Denzil Keelor ( who was my neighbor when I was a kid) or Sekhon who won the PVC. BTW I procured the C-17 in IAF colours after seeing yours!

I better dig into that Gnat book mine to see if serial numbers of either of those famous Gnats could be found.

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

BTW I procured the C-17 in IAF colours after seeing yours!

The same Hogan 1/200 one? It has fantastic details. Only sorepoint is that the serial number is missing.

1:100 McDonnell Douglas RF-4E JASDF 501st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
The RF-4E Phantom II was the unarmed reconnaissance version of the F-4E. It was designed strictly for export, and never served with the USAF. However, RF-4Es did carry USAF serial numbers for administrative purposes.

The RF-4E combined the reconnaissance systems of the USAF RF-4C with the J79-GE-17 engines and much of the airframe of the unslatted F-4E. Like the F-4E, the -17 engines of the RF-4E were later brought up to -17C standard and have been made smokeless.

The West German Luftwaffe was the RF-4E's largest and first customer.Subsequently, Israel, Iran, Greece, Japan and Turkey were supplied with RF-4Es.The RF-4E was an unarmed aircraft and carried sensors, cameras and jammer pods for self defence. Some RF-4E were wired for bombs giving it secondary attack capability and Sidewinders for self defence.

Iranian and Israeli RF-4Es saw a a lot of action in the wars their air forces fought. There are some legendary stories and photos bought back by Iranian RF-4E crews, photos taken during flybys of Saddam's palaces, Iraqi airbases, SAM/AAA sites and most of Iraq's national assembly in Downtown Baghdad at low level. Raids by Iranian F-4 crews managed to disrupt a NAM summit in Baghdad, which was then moved to Delhi.

JASDF RF-4E
Fourteen unarmed reconnaissance versions of the F-4EJ were built by McDonnell and delivered to the JASDF between November 1974 and June 1975. They were designated RF-4EJ. They were virtually identical to the USAF RF-4C, with the only differences being the deletion of certain equipment such as the radar homing and warning suite. Because of the limited number of RF-4EJs required, there was no licence production of this variant in Japan.The RF-4EJ was operated by the 501st Tactical Reconaissance Squadron and the squadron's emblem is the American cartoon character Woody Woodpecker wearing a bowtie.


Some Mitsubishi manufactured F-4EJs which were upgraded to "Kai" standards were converted into RF-4EJs(cameras carried in the centerline station on a LOROP camera pod) and they retained the F-4EJ's internal gun, making it the only RF-4 variant to have a an internal gun.

The JASDF serials of the RF-4EJs were as follows. In the Japanese system of serial numbers, the first digit is the final digit of the year of delivery, the second digit identifies the aircraft type (7 for the Phantom).The last four digits are the manufacturer's serial number.
McDonnell RF-4EJ-56-MC Phantom 47-6901/6905
McDonnell RF-4EJ-57-MC Phantom 57-6906/6914

Three separate camera bays in the nose were designated Stations 1, 2, and 3, and carried a variety of cameras and sensors.

the Forward station carried a forward oblique or vertical KS-87 camera
the Low Altitude station could carry either
a left or right oblique KS-87 camera
a trio of vertical, left, and right oblique KS-87 cameras
a KS-72 could replace a KS-87 in the 30-degree oblique position
a KA-56 low-altitude camera
a vertical KA-1 camera

the High Altitude station normally carried either
a single KA-55A high-altitude panoramic camera in a stabilized mount
a single KA-91 high-altitude panoramic camera in a stabilized mount
two split vertical KS-87 cameras
a KC-1 mapping camera
a T-11 mapping camera

The RF-4E could also carry the HIAC-1 LOROP camera [originally developed for the RB-57F] in a large G-139 centerline-mounted pod mounted on the fuselage centerline.





Note the side looking port camera port just in front of "905"






The nose underside which has various camera and sensor ports modelled


In the "Alone, Unarmed,Unafraid" combination - No weapons, just three drop tanks and an AN/ALQ-131 ECM pod (on the port side wing, inner weapon station).




Note the side looking starboard camera port just in front of "905"


Samurai Phantoms!!! F-4EJ in 1/80 scale and the RF-4EJ in 1/100 scale


THe difference is nose shape - On the left, F-4E nose which houses the M61A1 Vulcan cannon. On the right RF-4E nose which houses cameras and other sensors.


The real RF-4EJ 47-6905 of JASDF 501st TRS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH6_Pd2kgUE

[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

I better dig into that Gnat book mine to see if serial numbers of either of those famous Gnats could be found.

Sounds like a useful thing to do:-)

1:100 McDonnell Douglas RF-4E JASDF 501st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron

Excellent addition to your growing and vast fleet of Phantoms of all variants. Hold on to them. 40 years from now they will be collector's gems. Beautiful. There is something of the F-4's looks that spell rugged beast. Thank you for the detailed notes you provide with your photo shots. Always a pleasure to read. Maybe you should put all your F-4 models on display and share a photo with your leading-edge slat friends. Congratulations.

MiG-23 Flogger; 1:72; Plastic, unknown brand

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 [NATO reporting name: Flogger] is a variable-geometry fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau of the Soviet Union. It was the first attempt by the Soviet Union to design look-down/shoot-down radar and one of the first to be armed with beyond visual range missiles. Production started in 1970 with over 5,000 aircraft built. Variable geometry wings were in fashion on some aircraft designed in the 1960s and 70s but fell out of favour in later designs as wing technology got more advanced. In a VG not only do you need to make a heavy loaded wing move you also got to make sure that the single pivot can take all the stresses that the fixed wing could. Those weight penalties weighed against VG wings and it is unlikely we will see them anytime soon on military aircraft again.

The basic design was also used as the basis for the Mikoyan MiG-27, a very capable dedicated ground-attack variant.

The Soviets adopted a variable sweep wing capable of three sweep angles at 16, 45 and 72 degrees to better adapt the fighter to supersonic speed and good low speed handling and short take-off runs. The penalty is the weight of the mechanical and hydraulic sweep machinery. Compared with the MiG-21 that preceded it and the MiG-29 that succeeded it the MiG-23 demonstrated superior low-and-slow handling, poorer dog fight maneuverability, very steady low altitude flying and outstanding acceleration and rocket like climb. In fact in the 1970s and into the 1980s while it was outclassed in maneuverability no Western fighter, including the F-14, F-15, F-16 and F-18 could match the MiG-23 in sustained acceleration and high speed flight.

India, the last major user retired its MiG-23's in 2009.

Length: 51 feet
Wingspan: With wings spread: ~46 feet
With wings swept: ~25 feet
Max. takeoff weight: 18,000 kg
Powerplant: 1 × Khatchaturov R-35-300 afterburning turbojet
Dry thrust: 8550 kgf
Thrust with afterburner: 13,000 kgf
Maximum speed: At altitude: Mach 2.35 (~2,875 kmph)
At sea level: Mach 1.14 (~1400 kmph)
Service ceiling: 18,500 m (~60,000+ feet)
Initial Rate of Climb: 240 metres/second

The MiG-23 was a steady aerodynamic platform. In 1989 a MiG-23 pilot ejected over Poland due to what he thought was a technical failure in the aircraft. But the engine kept running and the aircraft flew in a straight gently climbing flight path across Poland, East Germany, West Germany and finally crashed in Belgium after running out of fuel! Sadly it killed a teenager on the ground. When NATO jets were scrambled they were shocked to see an empty cockpit.

[FrozeninTime]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

MiG-23 Flogger; 1:72; Plastic, unknown brand


The basic design was also used as the basis for the Mikoyan MiG-27, a very capable dedicated ground-attack variant.

pit.

Where do you buy this Gem from sir?
I have searched internet only to find hobby master model which is very expensive ( after adding shipping charges) or some plastic models which need assembly.

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

MiG-23 Flogger; 1:72; Plastic, unknown brand

Congratulations. That is a great looking Flogger.

That model is by a brand called Altaya Models. I have 1/72 F/A-18E and F-4D from the same brand, which i bought from DBJets.

Is the ventral fin under the engine exhaust housing foldable, or is it been fixed in that position(not movable)?

I believe that Paint scheme and markings on that model are of JG.9, the sole operator of MiG-23MF/ML in the LSK(East German Air Force). Unike other Warsaw Pact countries and countries buying equipment from USSR, which often received downgraded equipment, the LSK always received fighters of the same standards as the ones operated by the Soviet Air Force. Because the LSK was at the forefront of the Cold War, which could have gone hot at any time.

I am on the lookout for an Iraqi/Syrian MiG-23ML or a Soviet MLD...the most capable Air defence variant among the Floggers, evolved from the MiG-23MF and it was the model which stood straight on the tarmac like the MiG-27(instead of a stooped stance of the MiG-23M/MS/MF).

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

India, the last major user retired its MiG-23's in 2009.

The MiG-23MF was the first IAF fighter to have limited BVR capability with the R-23R (AA-7A Apex) SARH missile. I believe the MiG-23MF was acquired as a knee jerk reaction to F-16 acquisition by our pesky neighbour on the western border and it was an ill-advised acquisition(though I have read that the MiG-29 at that time of MiG-23 MF acquisition wasn't ready/available for export and they didn't have much choice). While the second squadron - 223 'Tridents' converted to the MiG-29, 224 'Warlords' sqdn remained a MiG-23MF squadron till they were numberplated in 2009. They were re-raised on Jaguars(IS/IT) soon after.

Sadly, one our famed Sabre killers from the 71 war, then Wg Cdr Roy Andrew Massey, CO of 224 Sqdn was killed in a MiG-23MF crash in the early 80s.

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

1:100 McDonnell Douglas RF-4E JASDF 501st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron

Another Phantom to your collection and an excellent informative writeup

As requested by Narayan please post a picture of all the Phantoms in your collection.

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

Sounds like a useful thing to do:-)


MiG-23 Flogger; 1:72; Plastic, unknown brand

Narayan my Foxbat is feeling lonely and needs company. Please tell us where you procured this from? As stated in FrozeninTime, economical Russian models are hard to come by and shipping costs for Diecast ones are pretty expensive as well as customs duty.

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by Foxbat

As requested by Narayan please post a picture of all the Phantoms in your collection.

I will soon.

1:200 Hogan F-14A Tomcat Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force - The Persian Alicats
The last great Air War was that between Iran and Iraq (1980-1988). Two titanic air forces armed with advanced fighters took part in aerial battles on a scale that will hopefully never be repeated. The Iranian air force was equipped with the McDonnell F-4D/E and Northrop F-5A/B/E/F, but the undisputed master of the skies was the Grumman F-14A Tomcat which apparently downed over 150 Iraqi aircraft.

Iranian Alicat patch


Background
Iran, under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, was an US ally. Iran being a kingdom during the Shah's reign, the air force was known as the Imperial Iranian Air Force(IIAF). The Shah was a former Iranian Air Force pilot. The Shah was fascinated with flying and the technical details of aircraft. He directed more money to the Imperial Iranian Air Force than any branch of the armed forces, and his favourite uniform was that of the Marshal of the Imperial Iranian Air Force.

Under him, Iran acquired the most sophisticated US fighters, helicopters, transports other and military equipment. Being a US ally, Iranian airspace was constantly and illegally overflown by Soviet MiG-25s. Iran did not have anything in its inventory to tackle the threat of Soviet MiG-25 reconnaissance flights( it had F-4D/E and F-5A/B fighters). In 1972, the Shah though his Air Force Chief, showed interest in buying the Grumman F-14 tomcat to primarily take on Soviet MiG-25 overflights, to become IIAF's primary interceptor and supplement the F-4D/E fleet. The Shah was well aware of the Tomcat's potent AWG-9 radar and AIM-54 Phoenix combination and was hell bent on acquiring the Tomcat for the IIAF, inspite of the problems with the F-14A TF30 engines. In 1973, A private air show was put on for the Shah at Andrews air base during his visit where the F-15 & F-14 faced off. The F-15 flew first flown by a USAF pilot and performed spectacular manuevers. The F-14A, flown by Navy flight crew , took off at about half the runway length used by the F-15, thereby demonstrating its ability to fly from semi-damaged/destroyed runway. The aggressive Navy pilots performed a barrel roll immediately after take off at 100 feet and flew inverted, they even performed an extremely slow flyby at 95 knots, all in a bid to impress the Shah.

In 1974, a contract was signed for 30 F-14A Tomcats with associated spares, weapons, engines and personnel training. Later that year, 50 more F-14As were ordered, taking the total upto 80. The Shah, wanted even more US built fighters and showed interest in acquiring the F-16A and F-18L(land based variant of the F/A-18). A contract for the F-16 was apparently signed(Letter or Intent for 160 F-16A/Bs was issued).There were also talks to acquire E-3A AWACS for the IIAF. But the order could be executed, the Shah was deposed and F-16s were diverted for an Israeli order.

A brand new airbase was built in Iran for the F-14s(Khatami Air Base near Esfahan, Iran). IIAF F-14 Pilots, RIOs and ground crw trained in the US. The first two F-14A were delivered to the IIAF in January 1976. Iranian F-14s were based at air bases in Esfahan and Shiraz. US instructors and technicians were based in these two air bases for training IIAF F-14 crew. In 1977, an Iranian F-14A armed with a full load of Phoenixes, Sparrows and Sidewinders intercepted a Soviet MiG-25R over Iran at 65000 feet at Mach 2+ and managed to achieve a full lock on. After this overflights by Soviet MiG-25s stopped. BY 1979 79/80 F-14As were delivered. the 80th Tomcat was in the US undergoing modifications for fitment of a refueling system to support refueling by flying boom system on an aerial tanker. BY 1979, about Iranian pilots and RIOs were fully operational on the Tomcat.

Shah's Exile & the fate of the Alicat and its crews
The Shah was overthrown in 1979 and the hardline Islamic Ayatollah Khomeini, who returned from exile, seized power. Such complex systems required specialized training and support, an arrangement which would not last long under the new Islamic regime. Iran’s new regime and the US began a sour relationship. Following the ’79 hostage crisis, a weapons embargo was in place. The last and 80th F-14A was never delivered and was retained by the US.

The F-14 was particularly potent, but also particularly hard to maintain- how long it could remain combat ready cut-off from technical support and new spares was a pressing question. Soon after, just like all branches of Iran's armed forces, the IIAF was re-named as IRIAF(Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force). The new regime viewed the US trained flightcrews of the IIAF/IIAA with a great level of mistrust(indeed most of them were pro-Shah). Many of the senior and experienced pilots, RIOs, WSOs were arrested and jailed. Some were forced into early retirement and some even executed. As a result, the air wings of Iran suffered. Most senior officers of Iran's armed forces faced trial and some were even executed. This led to some outrage within the Air Force and a coup attempt was even made by the pro-Shah camp. The plan called for a force of 30 to F-4s to bomb the Ayatollah's residence, government buildings and weapon depots. But the plan was compromised just hours before it was to be executed. More than 300 officers and crew were arrested and many executed. In July 1979 , the Shah died of cancer in the US, with him ending the aspirations of the pro-Shah camp to get rid of the Islamic regime that took over Iran.

Alicat in Combat
When Iraq invaded Iran in 1980, the IRIAF did not have enough pilots, RIOS, WSOs and technicians to fight the war. th new regime did not have any choice but to free the jailed crew after a brief "re-education" camp. Almost all of them, seeing their country in danger, flew for the same people who had threatened to execute them. Thus began the saga of the F-14 in Iran, which continues till date.

Against this onslaught from a numerically superior enemy, the "new" IRIAF found itself with a rapidly-declining stockpile of weaponry and spare parts. The IRIAF’s force of American-built F-4s, F-5Es and F-14s was pitted against Iraq’s Soviet MiG-21, 23 and 25s and French Mirage F1s. The MiG-25 was the fastest fighter in the world, and was manned by Iraq’s elite fighter pilots- and was a daunting opponent. In the attack role, Iraq had the Super Etendard (armed with the AM39 Exocet) and the rugged Su-20 and 22s. Lack of US support meant the Air Force suffered. Many F-14s were cannibalized to keep the few flyable F-14s operational. Many F-14s were forced to fly armed with sidewinders and guns only and had relied on GCI for intercepts. Nevertheless, inspite of the problems, Iran's F-14s did a fabulous job of protecting Iran's skies. Inspite of being arch -enemies after the Iranian revolution under the Ayatollah, Iran did receive F-4 spare parts and weapons from Israel. F-14 and other aircraft spare parts and possibly weapons were received from the US through other sources. Not elaborating it further, as the post will get political.

The first confirmed kill by an IRIAF F-14A during the Iran–Iraq War occurred before the formal start of hostilities: on 7 September 1980, an IRIAF F-14A destroyed an Iraqi Mi-25 Hind helicopter using its internal 20mm Vulcan cannon. Six days later, Major Mohammad-Reza Attaie shot down an Iraqi MiG-21 with an AIM-54 Phoenix while flying a border patrol( the world's first AIM-54 kill). A single AIM-54 fired in July 1982 by Captain Hashemi may have destroyed two Iraqi MiG-23s flying in close formation.The use of AIM-54s was only sporadic during the start of the war, most likely because of a shortage of qualified radar intercept officers, and then more frequently in 1981 and 1982—until the lack of thermal batteries suspended the missiles’ use in 1986.There were also rumours that suggested that Iran’s Tomcat fleet would be upgraded with avionics derived from the MiG-31 “Foxhound”. However, IRIAF officials and pilots insist that the Soviets were never allowed near the F-14s, and never received any F-14 or AIM-54 technology. Also, the AIM-54 missile was never out of service in the IRIAF, though the stocks of operational missiles were low at times. Clandestine deliveries from US sources and black market purchases supplied spares to top up the Phoenix reserves during the war, and spares deliveries from the USA in the 1990s have also helped. Furthermore, an attempt was made to adapt the MIM-23 Hawk surface-to-air missiles that were also a carry-over from the pre-revolution period, to be used as air-to-air missiles for the F-14; at least two F-14s have been successfully modified to carry the hybrid weaponry.

All in all, the IRIAF was said to have launched possibly 70 to 90 AIM-54A missiles, and 60–70 of those scored. Of those, almost 90 percent of the AIM-54A missiles fired were used against Iraqi fighters and fighter-bombers. Only about a dozen victories by AIM-54s were claimed to be against fast, high-flying targets such as the MiG-25 or Tu-22 ‘Blinder’.

One IRIAF pilot distinguished himself in combat by becoming the all-time top scoring F-14 ace. Major Jalil Zandi is credited with shooting down eight Iraqi aircraft. He is additionally credited with three probable kills, bringing his total to 11 air victories. These include four MiG-23s, two Su-22s, two MiG-21 and three Mirage F1s. He is the most successful F-14 Tomcat pilot worldwide.

^^ Then, Major Jalil Zandi in front of his steed

The second most successful IRIAF F-14 pilot was Shahram Rostami. With six definite aerial victories, against three MiGs and three Mirage F1s, he qualifies as a flying ace and holds the record for the second highest score of any F-14 Tomcat pilot behind fellow serviceman Jalil Zandi.

Another notable Iranian pilot was Major Rahnavard, who on 16 February 1982 is reputed to have shot down four Iraqi fighter jets in two separate encounters over Kharg Island. Records indicate that two of his confirmed kills were Mirage F1s.

By the end of the war, IRIAF F-14s had shot down 150+ Iraqi aircraft. One F-14 was confirmed lost to an Atoll fired by an Iraqi MiG-21. Other than that, no F-14s seemed to have been lost in air combat(soem were lost to ground fire and accidents).

IRIAF F-14A 3-6079, 82nd Tactical Fighter Squadron(Desert Paint scheme)
F-14s were delivered to Iran in this paint scheme.








Weapon load : 2 X AIM-9J sidewinders, 2 X AIM-7F Sparrows, 4 X AIM-54A Phoenixes, 2 X 100 gallon F-14 drop tanks.


The real F-14A 3-6079




F-14A 3-6079 was probably the most successful Tomcat in Iranian service is 3-6079, the last F-14 delivered to Iran (the 3-6080 was held back in the USA for testing purposes when the revolution in Iran swept the Shah from power, and never delivered). Initially after delivery the aircraft was put in storage, but then returned to service with the 82nd TFS in September 1980 - still wearing the title 'IIAF' and without the national flag applied on the fin. Soon afterwards 3-6079 was used for downing of one Iraqi MiG-21 and a MiG-23. On 9 February 1988, when it was used by 1st Lt. Qiyassi for downing three Iraqi Mirage F.1EQs during two subsequent engagements within two hours..

IRIAF F-14A 3-6024 (Modern two tone Blue Paint scheme)
Some Iranian F-14A were Painted in this scheme in the late 80s(IRIAF MiG-29s have this paint scheme also)






The real F-14A 3-6024 in two tone blue paint scheme. 3-6024 became famous already early in its career, while still in service with the IIAF: it was one of two Tomcats that intercepted a Soviet MiG-25R high over the Caspian Sea, in October 1978, and tracked it for two minutes as the Soviet pilot was giving his best to escape.


The Alicats




One of the books in my personal library that I am very proud of - a treasure trove of information on the Iran-Iraq Air War, particularly Iranian F-14s.


Had Operation Eagle claw gone ahead as planned and an air war had taken place between the US and Iran, the Tomcats in opposing air arms would have clashed.




Iran remains the only user of the F-14 Tomcat. Iran currently has about 42 F-14 with two of them having been upgraded to F-14AM standards. Following the US Navy's retirement of its Tomcats in 2006, Iran sought to purchase spare parts for its aircraft.In January 2007, the U.S. Department of Defense announced that sales of spare F-14 parts would be suspended over concerns of the parts ending up in Iran. In July 2007, the remaining American F-14s were shredded to ensure that any parts could not be acquired. Despite these measures, Iran managed to significantly increase its stocks of spare parts, increasing the number of airworthy Tomcats, although as it did not manage to obtain spare parts for the aircraft's weapon systems, the number of combat ready Tomcats was still low (seven in 2008) In 2010, Iran requested that the U.S. deliver the 80th F-14 it had purchased in 1974, but delivery was denied after the Islamic Revolution. In October 2010, an Iranian Air Force commander claimed that the country overhauls and optimizes different types of military aircraft, mentioning that Air Force has installed Iran-made radar systems on the F-14. In 2012, the Iranian Air Force's Mehrabad Overhaul Center delivered an F-14 with upgraded weapon systems with locally sourced components, designated F-14AM. Shortages of Phoenix missiles forced them to look for alternatives. Attempts to Integrate Russian missiles failed. An alternative was the use of modified MIM-23 Hawk missiles to replace the Tomcat's Phoenixes and Sparrows, but as the Tomcat could only carry two Hawks, this project was also abandoned, and the Fakour-90 missile, which used the guidance system of the Hawk packaged into the airframe of the Phoenix, launched. Pre-production Fakour-90s were delivered in 2017, and a production order for 100 missiles (now designated AIM-23B) was placed in 2018, intending to replace the F-14s AIM-7E Sparrow missiles.

In November 2015, Iranian F-14s had been reported flying escort for Russian Tu-95 bombers on air strikes in Syria against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant

[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

1:200 Hogan F-14A Tomcat Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force - The Persian Alicats

Dear Sandesh, this is a coup. Not one but two. Grumman should give you a certificate for being the most loyal F-14 fan. Thank you for that detailed write-up of a war ignored by the West but which as you rightly point out was the last air war fought by comparable large adversaries. Your note is informative and a pleasure to read. Congratulations on your growing stable.

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

Dear Sandesh, this is a coup. Not one but two. Grumman should give you a certificate for being the most loyal F-14 fan. Thank you for that detailed write-up of a war ignored by the West but which as you rightly point out was the last air war fought by comparable large adversaries. Your note is informative and a pleasure to read. Congratulations on your growing stable.

One more from Grumman....

1:200 Hogan Grumman EA-6B Prowler United States Navy VAQ-142 "Grey Wolves"
I had been looking for an A-6 Intruder to add to my collection. When I came across an EA-6B Prowler/Electronic Intruder, I went for it as it was an evolution of the A-6 Intruder. The Prowler is also the last of the legendary ‘Grumman Iron’ family of tactical fighters and attack aircraft. Now, with its retirement, only the E-2 Hawkeye represents the Grumman (now Northrop Grumman) brand on American aircraft carrier decks.

Squadron : US Navy 142th Electronic Attack Squadron {VAQ-142 'Grey Wolves"}
Machine number: NL 520
Navy Bureau Code: 160437 [paint scheme painted in 2007]







Model armed with 3 X AN/ALQ-99 EM pods, 1 X AGM-88 HARM and 1 X 1100L drop tank








CVWP's Aircraft. CVWP= Commander, Electronic Attack Wing Pacific(COMVAQWINGPAC).






The real 160437

Grumman EA-6B Prowler, Bureau Number 160437, modex 520 “Shark Mouth” of VAQ-142 in the November of 2007. The Grey Wolves painted up 520 with a disruptive camouflage scheme of mixed greys. To make the aircraft even more distinctive, she carried dark green external fuel tanks, a red and white shark mouth and nose art of a cartoon wolf wearing a shirt with the name “War Pig” on it peeing on an F/A-18(the aircraft which they eventually converted to the EA-18G Growler")


The Northrop Grumman (formerly Grumman) EA-6B Prowler is a twin-engine, four-seat electronic warfare aircraft derived from the A-6 Intruder airframe. The EA-6A was the initial electronic warfare version of the A-6 used by the United States Marine Corps and United States Navy(used the same airframe as the A-6A). Development on the more advanced EA-6B began in 1966. An EA-6B aircrew consists of one pilot and three Electronic Countermeasures Officers, though two ECMOs are sufficient on missions. It is capable of carrying and firing anti-radiation missiles (ARM), such as the AGM-88 HARM missile.

The Prowler has been in service with the U.S. Armed Forces since 1971. It has carried out numerous missions for jamming enemy radar systems, and in gathering radio intelligence on those and other enemy air defense systems. From the 1998 retirement of the United States Air Force EF-111A Raven electronic warfare aircraft, the EA-6B was the only dedicated electronic warfare plane available for missions by the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marine Corps, and the U.S. Air Force until the fielding of the Navy's EA-18G Growler in 2009. Following its last deployment in late 2014, the EA-6B was withdrawn from U.S. Navy service in June 2015. The USMC plans to operate the Prowler until 2019.

The biggest difference in appearance between the EA-6A and the A-6A is that the former has a pod compartment at the top of the vertical stabilizer. The pod compartment is used to accommodate the 30 antennas used by the ALQ-86 receiver/detection system.


Tail No. 147865 : EA-6A
Tail No. 160432 : EA-6B

The Original A-6:


In addition, the air brake faces on the wing ends of both sides were also cancelled.

In addition to the ALQ-86 in the pod compartment, other electronic warfare equipment is also mounted on the pylons of the wings on both sides of the pod type.

These devices include:
‧ALQ-76 interference system
‧ALQ-55 communication interference system
‧ALQ-41 interference wire spreader
‧ALQ-31 interference system
‧ALQ-51 Interference System
‧AN/ALQ-99 interference system

The EA-6B significantly improved the original design, lengthened the fuselage and placed the electronic design space.
The EA-6B has two engines with the wing in the middle of the fuselage. It is based on the improvement of the A-6 intruder attack aircraft.
It is designed to allow it to take off from an aircraft carrier.
It is fully equipped for electronic warfare and can perform advanced electronic interference activities at long distances and all weather.

Forward it has a equipment box with a cavity with additional aeronautical equipment on its vertical tail.

The EA-6B’s mission is to use its ALQ-99 pods to project heavy electromagnetic radiation into enemy communications and radar systems; to “jam” them so that the amount of interference and confusion they generated made their gear unusable. In that role the Prowler has proven remarkably capable.

In 1988 the aircraft added the AGM-88 High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) to its repertoire; adding a “Hard-Kill” option to its bag of tricks. With its wide-band receiver system and highly trained crew the Prowler proved to be among the finest ARM shooters in the world, even more so after retirement of the Air Force’s F-4G Wild Weasel.

Despite the aircraft’s age, the platform has been vital to operations in the CENTCOM region with its ability to jam ISIS communications and radio-controlled IEDs, and suppress Syrian/Russian air defense systems. The jet has served in every major aerial conflict since Vietnam. It wasn’t until operation Odyssey Dawn, the effort that ousted Gaddafi in 2011, that its successor, the EA-18G Growler, took over the electronic attack reigns. Still, the venerable Navy jet kept fighting till its very last cruise, and saw the aircraft fly combat support missions against ISIS as part of Operation Inherent Resolve. Many allied aircraft and soldiers vulnerable to SAMs, AAAs and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) would not have come home from combat missions without the Prowler’s electronic jamming umbrella, something that the EA-6B crews have been very proud of.

The United States Marine Corps is down to one final Prowler squadron, Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 2, or VMAQ-2 "Death Jesters", which is slated to return home in early November from its final deployment.

The squadron is set to “cease operations” in March 2019.

VMAQ-2 EA-6B over Iraq in 2004

General characteristics
Crew: four (one pilot, three electronic countermeasures officers)
Length: 59 ft 10 in (17.7 m)
Wingspan: 53 ft (15.9 m)
Height: 16 ft 8 in (4.9 m)
Wing area: 528.9 ft² (49.1 m²)
Empty weight: 31,160 lb (15,130 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 61,500 lb (27,900 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney J52-P408A turbojet, 10,400 lbf (46 kN) each
Performance

Maximum speed: 566 knots (651 mph, 1,050 km/h)
Cruise speed: 418 kt (481 mph, 774 km/h)
Range: 2,022 mi (tanks kept) / 2,400 mi (tanks dropped) (3,254 km / 3,861 km)
Service ceiling: 37,600 ft (11,500 m)
Rate of climb: 12,900 ft/min (65 m/s)
Wing loading: 116 lb/ft² (560 kg/m²)
Thrust/weight: 0.34

Armament
Hardpoints: 5 total: 1× centreline/under-fuselage plus 4× under-wing pylon stations with a capacity of 18,000 pounds (8,164.7 kg) and provisions to carry combinations of:
Missiles: Up to 4× AGM-88 HARM Anti-radiation missiles (2x typically carried)
Other: *** Up to 5× 300 US gallons (1,100 L) external drop tanks
Up to 5× AN/ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System (TJS) external pods
AN/ALE-43(V)1&4 Bulk Chaff Dispensing System pod
AN/AAQ-28(V) Litening targeting pod (USMC only)

EA-6B Collision on the Flight Deck of USS Enterprise
In August 1998, there was a horrific crash on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. The clip below was filmed aboard USS Enterprise off the U.S. East Coast on Nov. 8, 1998 when an EA-6B Prowler, BuNo. 163885/’AC-503′ of VAQ-130, US Navy, based at Whidbey Island, Washington, collided with an S-3B Viking, BuNo. 159733 of VS-22, US Navy.

As the tragic footage shows, the Viking was struck on the deck by the EA‑6B during night landing practice: you can clearly see the S-3 perform the arrested landing and then Prowler touch down on a “foul-deck” (this is the technical term used when there is traffic on flight deck and approaching aircraft would have to be waved-off). Based on reports, the Prowler was waved-off when it was too late and could not complete the go around.

Both aircrews ejected. One of the Viking crew members was quickly located entangled by his parachute in the antennae complex of the carrier’s command island. The other Viking crew member was scooped up from the frigid ocean water not long thereafter. But the night wasn’t a good one for the Prowler crew. All four aboard – Lieutenant Commander Kurt W. “Gumby” Barich, 35, of Oak Harbour, Washington, and Lieutenants – Junior Grade Brendan J. “Duff” Duffy, 27, of Annapolis, Maryland; Charles E. “Woody” Woodard, 26, of Herndon, Virginia; and Meredith C. “Pop” Loughran, 26, of Sanston, Virginia; were lost. The body of LtJG Duffy was found that night, but even with the assistance of two other Navy ships in the search the remaining three were never found.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahd56SNNH9k

[skanchan95]

Honouring the requests by Narayan Sir & Foxbat, here are the pics

The F-4s:
1/200 F-4B US Navy VF-111 "Sundowners" (Lt. Garry Weigand and Lt.(JG) William Freckleton)
1/100 F-4C USAF 433rd TFS "Satan's Angels", 8th TFW "Wolf Pack", Ubon Air Base, Thailand 1967 (Col. Robin Olds's F-4C)
1/72 F-4D USAF 555th TFS "Triple Nickel", 432nd TFW, Ubon Air Base, Thailand 1972(Capt Steve Ritchie's F-4D)
1/80 F-4EJ Kai JASDF 301st TFS
1/100 RF-4E JASDF 501st TRS






Hogan 1:200 Fighter collection
1/200 US Navy EA-6B VAQ-142 "Grey Wolves"
1/200 US Navy F-14D VF-2 "Bounty Hunters"
1/200 US Navy F-14A VF-111 "Sundowners"
1/200 US Navy F/A-18E VFA-195 "Dambusters"
1/200 US Navy F-4B VF-111 "Sundowners"
1/200 Indian AF Su-30MK No.24 Sqdn "Hawks" Republic Day paint scheme
1/200 Israeli AF F-16D Brakeet 101st Squadron
1/200 F-14A IRIAF Desert paint scheme 82nd TFS
1/200 F-14A IRIAF Two tone blue paint scheme 83rd TFS




Hogan 1:200 US Navy Fighter collection




Close up of the noseart on the EA-6B : A wolf peeing on an F/A-18

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

1:200 Hogan F-14A Tomcat Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force - The Persian Alicats

Wow two more Tomcats that too both in an exotic livery ! Congratulations You are a bigger Tomcat fan than I am.

I find the 150-1 kill ratio for the Tomcat very hard to believe and its the first time I am hearing such numbers. According to neutral sides both sides greatly exaggerated their success and hid their losses.

Here are Iranian victories according to Wikipedia (not the best source):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...%80%93Iraq_war

There are about 96 claims in total for all types of aircraft.

Iraqis claimed to have shot down about 11 F-14s in aerial combat:
http://www.acig.info/artman/publish/article_404.shtml

Originally Posted by skanchan95

In November 2015, Iranian F-14s had been reported flying escort for Russian Tu-95 bombers on air strikes in Syria against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant

They purchased the F-14s to shoot down Soviet Mig-25s and later escorted Soviet aircraft with the same F-14s

The EA-6b is another rare model, are all of these from DBjets ? Is it possible to message me the prices ?

Thanks for the Phantom pics. Personally I feel all the models should be of one scale(like your 1:200 fighter collection) or perhaps you can collect two scales ( 1:200 for passenger aircraft and maybe 1:72 for fighter aircraft, I find it odd for a smaller scale model to be displayed next to a larger scale).
Would like to know your thoughts and Narayans.

[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by Foxbat

Narayan my Foxbat is feeling lonely and needs company. Please tell us where you procured this from? As stated in FrozeninTime, economical Russian models are hard to come by and shipping costs for Diecast ones are pretty expensive as well as customs duty.

This came from DB jets. Make is Altaya. Cost was about Rs 2500/- or so. I requested him to clean up his whole stock and check for an An-12 and the MiG-23 and An-12 came out. Even he had forgotten about them! This was about 3 months back.

Originally Posted by skanchan95

1:200 Hogan Grumman EA-6B Prowler United States Navy VAQ-142 "Grey Wolves"

Wow. Another classic. You are really dressing up your collection. This is one I have my eyes on. An airplane classic where airplanes go. Congratulations. And thanks for all that information.

Originally Posted by skanchan95

Honouring the requests by Narayan Sir & Foxbat, here are the pics

Beautiful picture skanchan95. What's with the pissing bit

Originally Posted by Foxbat

Thanks for the Phantom pics. Personally I feel all the models should be of one scale(like your 1:200 fighter collection) or perhaps you can collect two scales ( 1:200 for passenger aircraft and maybe 1:72 for fighter aircraft, I find it odd for a smaller scale model to be displayed next to a larger scale).
Would like to know your thoughts and Narayans.

I try to stay at or above the 1:200 range so 1:36 to 1:200. I like the aircraft model to be in the 6" to 12" range give or take a little. Also if there is an aircraft you really want with specific colours then sticking to a size becomes a challenge. Also inside a glass showcase models of different sizes can be juxtaposed more artistically both horizontally and vertically. To each his own.

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by Foxbat

Wow two more Tomcats that too both in an exotic livery ! Congratulations You are a bigger Tomcat fan than I am.

Thank you. Top Gun had a lot to do with my love for the Tomcat. Adored its moniker of 'The Fleet Defender'. There were so many flight sims based on the Tomcat as well.

Originally Posted by Foxbat

I find the 150-1 kill ratio for the Tomcat very hard to believe and its the first time I am hearing such numbers. According to neutral sides both sides greatly exaggerated their success and hid their losses..

It probably isn't true and those figures are greatly inflated, considering many IRIAF F-14 crews were flying without an operational radar and in such cases were flying Air Patrols armed only with Sidewinders.

Its a shame that ACIG.org went down. It was a treasure trove of information on Air Combat from all over the world.

Originally Posted by Foxbat

They purchased the F-14s to shoot down Soviet Mig-25s and later escorted Soviet aircraft with the same F-14s.

Yeah , it can get any more ironical than that, it is almost comical. The Shah must be turning in his grave.

Originally Posted by Foxbat

The EA-6b is another rare model, are all of these from DBjets ?

No, but i have a few more coming through him. The Tomcats, F-16 and F/A-18 are from DBJets. Check PM.

Originally Posted by Foxbat

Thanks for the Phantom pics. Personally I feel all the models should be of one scale(like your 1:200 fighter collection) or perhaps you can collect two scales ( 1:200 for passenger aircraft and maybe 1:72 for fighter aircraft, I find it odd for a smaller scale model to be displayed next to a larger scale).
Would like to know your thoughts and Narayans.

I agree it looks odd and I would love to stick to one or two scales but we live in a country where aircraft model hobbyists are few and far between. Honest dealers are even less. Importing directly has its own set of risks, costs and headaches. Quoting loosely from the old adage, Beggars like me can't really be choosers!

Chances of finding the model in the paint scheme I like, in the scale I want, are very grim. With such poor odds, personally, i go after models and paint schemes which I like and which has a bit of history behind it, scale doesn't really matter. For e.g. if a Tomcat is available in VF-84's scheme in 1/200 scale and another Tomcat is available in the VX-4 scheme in the same or bigger scale, I would prefer to go for the VF-84 one in 1/200 scale, purely because of the history behind that particular squadron. But that being said, VX-4 has its own history and importance and it probably isn't right make one's choices like that. In the end, it all comes down to one's personal choices I suppose.

I collect models because like all hobbyists, i love airplanes specially military ones, it is such a beautiful hobby and believe I am a humble student of military aviation history. I like to see to it that each of the models I collect should represent an important part of aerial combat and the squadrons involved. I am not a perfectionist and despite the oddity, do not feel the need for the models I have to be perfectly aligned in terms of scales, it just makes me happy, content and proud to see a particular model in my collection.

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

Wow. Another classic. You are really dressing up your collection. This is one I have my eyes on. An airplane classic where airplanes go. Congratulations. And thanks for all that information.

Beautiful picture skanchan95. What's with the pissing bit

Thank you Sir.

Nose arts are at times hilarious and imaginative. The Grey Woves were probably not happy that their beloved Prowler was going to get replaced the Growler.

[Foxbat]

After many months I finally managed to bring the remaining 1:500 scale models bought many months ago to Hyderabad. Airport security at Lucknow, Delhi and Mumbai made me open up the boxes because they appeared suspicious in the X-ray machines (someone said they appear like bullets!).

Asiana Airlines Boeing 767-300

Air Pacific Boeing 747-200

East Line Ilyushin IL-76

Lufthansa Airbus Industries A340-600

Next to its 1:200 twin.

Olympic Airways Airbus Industries A340-300

US Airways Airbus Industries A330-300

LOT Polish Airlines Vickers Viscount

Delta Air Lines Lockheed L-1011-500

Swissair Douglas DC-4

ANZ Airlines of New Zealand Douglas DC-3

United States Air Force Douglas DC-4

The 1:500 Collection

Recently before a flight I was talking to an Airbus A330 pilot and he said the A330-300 and the A340-300 were nearly the same apart from two extra engines. I was a bit skeptical but looking at these two models it seems it's true.

[Foxbat]

1:200 China Airlines Caravelle lll (Same one Narayan had posted earlier).






Next to a China Airlines L-1049 Constellation. Surprisingly the Constellation has a bigger wingspan and length.