Marja al Taqlid

[thedarkmaster]

Marja Al taqlid ( Source of emulation ) IRIAF, 9TH Tactical Air Base, Bandar Abbas , Iran 1991

initially rolled out in july 1989 the Marja Al Taqlid, named in honour of the supreme leaders of the Islamic Republic, was the first multi role aircraft produced by the emerging Iranian arms industry.

Produced with technical help from the Red Chinease govenment, the Aircraft was based upon the F8 ( nato name FINBACK II ) but with a much enhanced performance and with increased range and payload, including extra under fueselage hardpoints for copied Sparrow missiles and wingtip positions for chinease copies of Sindwinders.

Initially in service with the elite 111 squadron it soon equipped a full wing of aircraft at the strategiclly important air base of Bandar Abbas and it was here that the aircraft saw out it's war service during the 91 disaster.

Initially the Iranians were targeted by the soviet union with ground forces crossing the border and striking deep into the country, then almost as if by prior arrangement the US struck as the defences were distracted ( a post war search of US and Soviet archives as thus far been impossible so this still remains conjecture ) and unable to put up an effective responce.


The strike wing at Bandar Abbas flew many desperate missions during the next few days, but none more famous than the strike by 111 sqd upon the disembarking Marine brigade at Jask opersite the UAE, where the Islamic Republic got a nuclear wepon noone knows, wether home made or imported it was devastaing. Allowing the defenders time to regroup and resist.


It is this action that is credited in todays Iranian circles that guaranteed the survival of the republic to this day.
















































I've also used this aircraft im my Empires Twighlight thread

[Weaver]

EXCELLENT use of the Finback - nice one!  

That cammo scheme looks really good....

You could claim it had back-engineered J79s, which would make it effectively an Iranian Phantom...

[thedarkmaster]

Thanks mate, been a great kit, thanks for sending it     


just looked at the photos and they look a little blured so i will post some daylight ones soon, but its stock take at work this week so may not be tomorrow or the next day.

[ysi_maniac]

Excelent concept and realization!