Persian cat

My latest completed project is Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force RF-4E Phantom II.

The kit is Revell 1/72 and it has some issues, particulary the main being the canopy, but at the end I am satisfied with the looks and I think it captures the sahpes of the Phantom quite nicely.

I won't speak a lot about the F-4 - after 50 years it still serves in the number of countries, including 3 European (Germany, Greece and Turkey)...

But as I am interested in the aviation of Iran I should say something about recon Phantoms of IIAF/IRIAF.

Iran was beside the American armed forces (Navy, Air Force, Marines) the biggest export operator of the type with more than 200 airframes delivered (F-4D, F-4E and RF-4E). While the purchase of the fighter variants was uneventful, a veil of secrecy covers the purchases of the recon variants. In 1970, USAF "borrowed" IIAF two RF-4Cs which were flown on a recon missions inside Soviet Union. The delivery of this two birds was immediately followed by an order of initally 6 (out of 16) RF-4Es. Despite the overwhelming orders from US armed forces (Vietnam) and allied NATO forces, Iranian RF-4Es were delivered in mere 9 months after the contract was signed and RF-4Cs were returned to USA. In the 70s americans provided unknown number of recce phantoms to Iran (estimated 6-12 airframes) for spying missions into Soviet Union; on one occassion Soviet MiG-21SMT intercepted the RF-4E and rammed into it to bring it down... The 8-year Iraq-Iran war was survived by 9 of this Phantoms...

I am depicting a model as seen in 2000 in TBF.3 Nojeh airbase and carries the camo similar to those on MiG-29s, F-14As and F-7s... The colours used were Model master enamels (1508 Light blue (lightened with flat gull gray) and 1730 Flat Gull Gray), the exhaust area was painted with several different shades of Alclad II, the overall finish was achieved with Xtracrylics satin varnish, while the weathering was done with dry powder pastels and excellent Promodeller wash. Th decals used were Hi-decal with stenciling from various decal sheets...

So long big pussy!

The SEPECAT Jaguar is an Anglo-French ground attack aircraft still in service with several export customers, notably the Indian Air Force and the Royal Air Force of Oman. It was among the first major Anglo-French military aircraft programs. The aircraft served as one of the French Air Force's main strike/attack aircraft until July 1, 2005 (when it was replaced by Dassault Rafale) and with the Royal Air Force until the end of April 2007.

After I first saw the retirement scheme of the RAF Jaguars, I knew I have to build one. The markings seems a bit too much for me to paint (although mad as I am, I might actually go and paint them. However Model Alliance released a decal sheet with retirement markings and saved my day (and some hair :).

The Airfix 1/72 kit is pretty basic, but I think it captures the line of a Jaguar pretty well. Model Alliance decals also worked great although I have some small complaints... I noticed there were two different decals under the same number in some occassions, while instructions lack telling the position of some of the decals, especially on the nose and under the nose of the aircraft.

Well enough talk, I hope you enjoy the end result! I know I do :D

Blogging?

I always had a feeling blogs are written by people who have too much time...
And now I am joining this community... Do I have too much time? Not really... Even less than I had before...

Life is taking unexpected turns and I've been surprised in my private life... again...

So what's the purpose of AviationModellingPhotography?
A place to post progress on my 3 favorite hobbies and interests:

-aviation has been my passion since my childhood

-scale modelling as well, and I use it mainly to test my patience and calm down

-photography to capture beautiful things in life and even combine with the above interests...