IIAF F-16s

[B777LR]

The imperial iranian air force ordered 300  F-16s in 1976! Of course, they where all cancelled in 1979, and then snatched up by the israeli air force.


Now, if these did enter service, how would they look today? (modifications)
Twin tail? Squared off air intake? Stealthy version? Think up some version!  

[Shasper]

I'm guessing as the F-16 was to be a F-5 replacement (with the F-17/F-18L was suppost to replace the F-4s IIRC), that the IIAF would've eventual either MLUd their A/B models or gotten later block C/Ds. Camo might be the new sand/blue-gray stuff poppin up on the F-14 & MiG's overthere.


Shas B)

[david sMiGielski]

I imagine they'd look a lot like an Israeli Sufa but in Iranian camo and markings (the Iranians and Israelis were quite close prior to the revolution).

That gives me an idea...

[Matt Wiser]

Actually, the deal was for 160 F-16 A/B models initally, with a planned follow-up order for 140. The first planes were due in-country in mid '79, and the first sets of parts, support equipment, etc. had already been delivered, and IIAF pilots and maintenance personnel were here in the States learning the F-16 when the Shah got booted out. The aircraft were taken over to fill both the Israeli and Egyptian orders for the Viper (the first batch, anyway). The parts and support equipment was later sold by Iran to Pakistan in the mid '80s when the Pakistanis got their first F-16s. There's been an IIAF/IRIAF thread in the Alternate History section of the forum, check it out for more info.  

[Jennings]

(the Iranians and Israelis were quite close prior to the revolution)

Not to mention afterward...  Fekking hypocrites (both of them).

J

[P1127]

Now, if these did enter service, how would they look today? (modifications)
Twin tail? Squared off air intake? Stealthy version? Think up some version!

Depends on the Alternate route you take - Revolution comes in early 80s after the aircraft were delivered, or the Revolutiojn is crushed and the Shah continues in power.

For the former, add Chinese AAMs and other stuff, for the Latter then you could probably add C/D and E/Fs

Or how about the Iranians order the F-16XL?

[nev]

(the Iranians and Israelis were quite close prior to the revolution)

Not to mention afterward...  Fekking hypocrites (both of them).

J

"The enemy of my enemy".


Well for the moment.

Exactly.

[Shasper]

Without going into geo-politcal/religious debate, I remeber Schwartzkopf stating in his autobiography that in the Arab world, the feeling about the Turks is "they're Ottoman" and toawrds the Iranians its "They're Persian", with that being the case up till recently the Israelies had so-so relations with the nations of the abeforementioned peoples for that exact reason, because they are not Arab.

Shas B)