Different versions of the jet have provided the backbone of the frontline strength of the Iranian air force since the 1970s, and whole generations of Iranian pilots and ground personnel have been trained to fly and maintain them. Indeed, the type bore the brunt of active combat operations during the long war with Iraq. Iranian F-4 Phantom IIs were also some of best equipped examples ever exported by the USA. Some Iranian Phantom II pilots gathered immense experience on the type, flying it in combat for more than ten years. This book removes the veil of secrecy surrounding Iranian Phantom II operations since the war with Iraq.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Iranian Phantoms:
Like many aviation enthusiasts I have read sooo many books about the F-4 Phantom over the years that I suffer from Phantom fatigue. Its a great plane but I have just read so much about it. So at first I was reluctant to buy another Phantom book, but of course I did. The book is interesting no only because it covers the Phantom, but the Phantom in the context of the political situation at the time. Iraq made the huge mistake of invading Iran in 1980 in Iran's post revolutionary period. It was up to the U.S.... more info
An unknown chapter of modern air wars:
This book is extremely useful for anyone who wants to shape a picture of the Iranian military capabilities, since the status of a nation's air force is the mirror of its overall military efficiency. The crews of the iranian Phantoms were trained by the Americans during the Shah period and fought extremely well against Iraq despite many disadvantages that were caused by the turmoil in the country due to the Revolution of 1979. The weak point of the book is that most of the first hand accounts come from the... more info
Exceptional:
Don't let the Osprey format deceive you: this short volume fits the 96 pages allotted each installment in the series, but it's absolutely jammed with an exceptional amount and variety of information. Many of us thought that the full story of the Phantom could never be told because the Middle East users were so secretive. But the fact that the authors have developed so many contacts inside Iran is a source of wonder in itself. While Jim Laurier's aircraft profiles are uniformly excellent, modelers will... more info
A highly technical account of the Air war (iran/iraq):
A great reading. You'll learn tactical issues faced by Iranian pilots whose U.S. training had a huge effect on the air war. The advantages that Iran initially had in the air and eventually lost to Iraq over the years as the war dragged on and the rest of the world opened up to Saddam Hussein. Lots of pictures to supplement the pilot's stories and accounts. Nicely done.
