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Why Iran Really Bought F-14 Tomcats
War is Boring ^ | July 25, 2017 | Tom Cooper

Posted on 07/25/2017 9:19:04 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki

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1 posted on 07/25/2017 9:19:04 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
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To: sukhoi-30mki

Thank you Jimmy Carter


2 posted on 07/25/2017 9:21:59 AM PDT by nikos1121 (Rudy Guiuliani for Head of FBI)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

And they have been able to keep those things flying? Maintenance and costs were a big reason we got rid of them.


3 posted on 07/25/2017 9:34:17 AM PDT by rey
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To: sukhoi-30mki

One thing: don’t put too much trust in narratives which don’t recognize that the Soviets had for a long time had ambitions in Persia.

Well before WW2 the Soviets were trying to take an entire province away from Persia with no provocation as well as destabilize the whole country. The later overflights were just them staying true to form. Soviet, like ChiCom, aggression was rooted in you not being under their thumb, or sufficiently under their thumb, and daring to be independent. They deemed your independence from them to be an aggression ... expect double speak from communists.

A lot more happened than just the 1953 coup and it all began with the Soviets and what happened as Persia, later known as Iran, sought to keep its territories.


4 posted on 07/25/2017 9:35:01 AM PDT by Rurudyne (Standup Philosopher)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

The Shah flew into action again. Sometime between 1970 and 1972, he even requested a briefing on the Lockheed YF-12 – the stillborn interceptor variant of the famous SR-71 Blackbird, a Mach-three-capable strategic reconnaissance aircraft.
That deal never materialized, but the two next did. One was the Iranian order for 80 F-14 Tomcats. The other was for seven Boeing E-3 Sentry AWACS. While the E-3 was still in development as of 1973, the Tomcat was ready … sort of.


if you know aircraft can’t you put two and two together here they were clearly looking for? A long-range interceptor carrying the Phoenix missile system

The yf-12 was a long-range Interceptorand guess what was developed for it? the Phoenix missile system

when the yf12 didn’t come to fruition what’s the only other aircraft that carried the long-range Phoenix missile system? the F-14 Tomcat

the Tomcat was a long-range Interceptor with the Phoenix missile system that could also function as an air superiority fighter versus the F-15 which is just an air superiority fighter that did not carry the Phoenix missile system


5 posted on 07/25/2017 9:40:19 AM PDT by tophat9000 (Tophat9000)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

Where have they been getting parts? Export controls don’t allow for after market parts to be sold to countries like Iran..


6 posted on 07/25/2017 9:42:13 AM PDT by cardinal4 ("Sat stonefaced while the building burned..")
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To: tophat9000

I forgot to add there were some other aircrafy that we’re going to carry the Phoenix system

The F111b which was a flop and that’s what the Tomcat was developed to replace

Douglas it had the F6D missile on the drawing board again that was also a Navy aircraft that was basically just a missile hauler ..a sub sonic aircraft ...it was the missile system the Phoenix that could reach out to a hundred miles that was really the driving force


7 posted on 07/25/2017 9:49:39 AM PDT by tophat9000 (Tophat9000)
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To: Rurudyne
One thing: don’t put too much trust in narratives which don’t recognize that the Soviets had for a long time had ambitions in Persia.

Yep. Like Hitler giving Iran to Stalin as part of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.

8 posted on 07/25/2017 9:54:08 AM PDT by fso301
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To: tophat9000
I don't know if you have seen this, but it was a fascinating and enjoyable documentary on the Tomcat: VIDEO: F-14 Design Evolution

By far, one of the best I have ever seen. And I have seen a few...:)

9 posted on 07/25/2017 9:56:23 AM PDT by rlmorel (Donald Trump: Making Liberal Heads Explode 140 Characters At A Time.)
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To: cardinal4

>>Where have they been getting parts? Export controls don’t allow for after market parts to be sold to countries like Iran.<<

The way Cuba gets auto parts I guess — string, bailing wire, etc. You wouldn’t think that would work on a high-performance jet but you wouldn’t think a car could run on a motor transplanted from an air conditioner either.

The jets haven’t been tested in combat since the hostage crisis. I suspect a stiff breeze would knock them down.


10 posted on 07/25/2017 9:59:48 AM PDT by freedumb2003 (The Civil Rights movement compared content of their character to skin color and chose the latter)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

***Bear in mind that after the CIA staged a coup against the Iranian government in 1953,***

Wasn’t this just disproved not long ago when the USA released documents about this “coup”?


11 posted on 07/25/2017 10:05:55 AM PDT by Ruy Dias de Bivar
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To: tophat9000
if you know aircraft can’t you put two and two together here they were clearly looking for? A long-range interceptor carrying the Phoenix missile system

Good conclusion. Also, the Phoenix missile system included a radar that could independently track and engage multiple targets. That is a very powerful BVR strategic air defense system as opposed to a shaky Sparrow missile and the short range Sidewinder.

12 posted on 07/25/2017 10:09:37 AM PDT by pfflier
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To: freedumb2003

Rumor is that the Iranians were using them as AWACs platforms.


13 posted on 07/25/2017 10:09:41 AM PDT by AppyPappy (Don't mistake your dorm political discussions with the desires of the nation)
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To: fso301

The Russians have had designs on Iran (Persia) for more than two hundred years.


14 posted on 07/25/2017 10:12:38 AM PDT by reg45 (Barack 0bama: Gone but not forgiven.)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

Aren’t they just so much junk now that there’s no spare parts?


15 posted on 07/25/2017 10:18:38 AM PDT by SkyDancer (You know they invented wheelbarrows to teach FAA inspectors to walk on their hind legs.)
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To: rey
The alternative is to not have anything flying.

Iran is unlikely to be able to purchase anything remotely as capable.

"Ceterum censeo Islam esse delendam."

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)

LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

16 posted on 07/25/2017 10:21:29 AM PDT by LonePalm (Commander and Chef)
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To: Rurudyne

It’s not about communism, it’s about russia’s geopolitical interests - they were sparring with the british in persia and Afghanistan since the 19th century.

Russian imperialism in eastern europe and near east has been a constant for the last few centuries. It’s only the flag and ideological justification for it which gets a new coat of paint when there’s a regime change.


17 posted on 07/25/2017 10:21:32 AM PDT by socalgop
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To: sukhoi-30mki
"Why Iran Really Bought F-14 Tomcats"

The REAL Real reason:

Chick magnets.

18 posted on 07/25/2017 10:29:00 AM PDT by PLMerite ("Government should be done to cattle and not human beings." - John Milius)
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To: PLMerite

Funny that the two stars of that movie both turned out to be gay.


19 posted on 07/25/2017 10:29:59 AM PDT by dfwgator
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To: sukhoi-30mki
According to legend, in July 1973 — following two detailed briefings in Iran — the U.S. government had organized a fly-off for Iranian shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi that pitted an F-14 against an F-15. The U.S. Navy F-14 crew put up such a stunning performance that the Shah promptly placed an order for the Tomcat.

I was at Andrews AFB during this demonstration, standing about 20 yards from the Shaw of Iran. It wasn't really a fly-off. There was no doubt which aircraft we wanted him to buy. The Navy F-14 pilot put on a magnificent display of its capabilities. The Air Force pilot flew the F-15 like it was a crate of eggs and did not show any of its capabilities.

20 posted on 07/25/2017 10:33:28 AM PDT by zot
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