Cames across this very interesting two part video on Iranian Tomcat operations during the war with Iraq. Has interviews with former Tomcat pilots and Tom Cooper [who co-authored 'Iran/Iran War In The Air' with Farzad Bishop]. In the video, it is mentioned that the Phoenix missile hits its target from on top - I had no idea this was the case! A little known fact, which is mentioned in 'Iran/Iran War In The Air' is that the Shah played a huge role in the Tomcat programme not being shelved as he provided some loans to Grumman after Congress slashed its funding for the programme. The book also mentions how the Mullahs had planned on selling the Tomcats prior to Saddam launching his war on Iran. As events were to later prove, the Tomcat/Phoenix combination, together with pilots who were trained by the U.S. - including some who were in jail when the war started - was a decisive factor in preventing the Iraqis from gaining control of the skies.
[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP-jDEWNyrM&feature=related"]Press TV's Documentary-Tomcat Fights: Vigorous Iranian pilots' skill and valor-Part 1 - YouTube[/nomedia]
[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgR9FijQQbk"]Tomcat Fights: Vigorous Iranian pilots' skill and valor-Part 2 - YouTube[/nomedia]
Are there any online sources that provide an accurate figure as to the number of Tomcats that are still operated?
Also, in the video the launch button for the Phoenix is shown mounted on the instruments panel. Was there a seperate button to launch the Phoenix and was the Sidewinder fired from a button mounted on the 'stick'?
[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP-jDEWNyrM&feature=related"]Press TV's Documentary-Tomcat Fights: Vigorous Iranian pilots' skill and valor-Part 1 - YouTube[/nomedia]
[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgR9FijQQbk"]Tomcat Fights: Vigorous Iranian pilots' skill and valor-Part 2 - YouTube[/nomedia]
Are there any online sources that provide an accurate figure as to the number of Tomcats that are still operated?
Also, in the video the launch button for the Phoenix is shown mounted on the instruments panel. Was there a seperate button to launch the Phoenix and was the Sidewinder fired from a button mounted on the 'stick'?