"Saber rattling at 5000 feet" Topic

Iran is putting on their version of an air show: link

I like how they aim "to reveal the power of the Iranian armed forces to defend their homeland," and pad their numbers with civilian passenger planes.

The plane looks like an F-5, not an F-4.

Tis 'cause it is an F5. Typical media for ya.

Yep – that's an F-5 alright. To be fair on the "passenger planes" I suspect they're IIAF not civilian – 707s are certainly used as tankers, and I'd not be surprised if the 747s are too.

Does Iran have the wherewithal to convert a passenger plane into a tanker? Judging by the brouhaha the USAF is experiencing in its quest for new tankers, it's not an easy thing to do.

Another possibility: can a passenger liner be used for parachute drops of supplies or (if Iran has them) paratroopers?

Still, I wouldn't jump to too many conclusions, lest I be misled by the author's great knowledge of "aircrafts."

They were bought fitted as tankers back in the 70s, so conversion not necessary. I can't be arsed to check numbers, but there were a dozen or so 707s and maybe 5 Jumbos bought, including several fitted with booms to support the F-4 fleet. Given the parts availability, their servicability ought to be much higher than the fighters bought back then.

As for the USAF brouhaha, I think that's politics rather than technical know-how; both Boeing and Airbus are perfectly capable of producing decent tankers, even if the Airbus one does look the better of the two….

As for paras, theoretically yes, but it's not overly safe, and you'll end up with very long sticks; better using the C-130 any day….

Dom.

Well, if someone were quick enough, they could bag the whole IIAF at one time.

Well, if someone were quick enough, they could bag the whole IIAF at one time.

That was my first thought as well. Seems pretty risky to put every bird into the air just for show.

-Will

Hmm, there's a scenario…. Heck, I even have a handful of Pit Road 1/700 Raptors as well as a modest 1/600 IIAF….

Using runway cratering ordnance while they are in the air should help to make life a bit more difficult for those that elude any hunters….

That way, maybe some of the ex-Iraqi jets might return to their original owners.

There was a short air campaign over the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon in the late 80's between Syria and Israel. The Israelis shot down about 300 planes to no losses I seeem to recall. I doubt Iran could manage much better today.