Playing on the interwebs and came across this 3 part Iranian TV documentary on the IRIAF F-14 Tomcats in combat during the Iran/Iraq War. The Iranian Tomcats have always been something of an enigma.
The documentary uses a “History-Channel Dogfights” type format in some cases. There’s also USN file footage here but the true gem are the first interviews and accounts with the aircrews that fought the jet.
It’s about time these guys got some recognition. After the Shah was deposed in 1979 and the Americans left many of these guys where thrown in prisons. Only when Iraq attacked did the Islamic Iranian Government let these guys their freedom to go do their duty. Not for Islam or for the Ayatollah but for their country. Politics aside, in my book, true warriors.
(embedding has disabled so I’ve copied the links below:)
Don’t know much about the Iranian F14′s but I would imagine that, once the US stepped back, the maintenance side of things kept them on the ground rendering them redundant.
Hard to know about serviceability during the Iran/Iraq War to now. That’s a point of contention between various intel agencies. There was indeed a spare parts shortage but over the decades Iran has been able to covertly obtain spare parts. There have been a few parts smuggling rings in the US Navy enough to bring criminal charges from the FBI. It’s also against federal law to have ANY Tomcat parts in possesion for that very reason. For more info I suggest taking a gander: http://www.amazon.com/Iranian-Tomcat-Units-Combat-Aircraft/dp/1841767875/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350001210&sr=8-1&keywords=f-14+iran
I have finished 1 and 2 and finding this fascinating. Wonder how much the embargo affected the operation of these and apparently at least for the first few years not much.
But simple things like fuel filters – available openly?
The MiG 25 – didn’t realize the speed – and operational ceiling – it had. When I was in the NATO radar bunker – 73-74 there was talk of a MiG that kept flying into the FRG – we couldn’t catch. Of course at those speeds – and I am sure it didn’t overfly the entire country – because it would have to turn back – …when we’d be ready for it…but still 120,000 feet and Mach 2.5
I think – when Victor Belenko defected in one we learned a lot about them. Thought the avionics were crude – using radio tubes I think – but with typical Soviet design simple but effective. The Soviets demanded the return of the aircraft and we did return it some weeks later – in crates
But that Phoenix missile – are we using something even better now or is that still being used? It was designed specifically for the F-14 wasn’t it?
Seems to me the F-14 could still be a credible front line fighter for the Navy.
How does it compare with the FA-18? Would Lex have anything to say about it?
Seems he did in a post about Miramar, the O-Club and a lot of “discussion” a few days ago.
It\s be interesting to see a line by line comparison of the 2 – although I am sure the FA-18 costs a lot less in maintenance, no small factor over an operational lifetime of 20 years.
The Phoenix was specifically designed for the Tomcat. It was retired shortly before the F-14 was. The AMRAAM was tested for service but never adopted for the jet.
The Hornet was probably a better WVR fighter but the Tomcat had a better BVR capability (with the Phoenix). Once the Phoenix was gone, the Hornet with AMRAAM was probably better whereas the Tomcat was left with the Sparrow/Sidewinder capability.
I say this because the AMRAAM was a fire and forget weapon and the Sparrow required the shooter to guide the missile all the way to target.
You’re right about the maintenance cost. Think of a cassette vs CD player
If you haven’t already seen it here’s my MiG-25 post: http://thelexicans.wordpress.com/2012/04/03/mig-25-foxbat/
Finished them – well worth the nearly 1.5 hours. I found myself in the peculiar situation of rooting – and being proud – of the Phantoms & Tomcats flown for a country that has been at war with us since 1979.