Combat Aircraft 37: Iranian F-4 Phantom II Units in Combat [Paperback]

Farzad Bishop (Author), Tom Cooper (Author)

Book Description

Series: Combat Aircraft | Publication Date: July 23, 2003

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 Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988).

Editorial Reviews

Review

Highly recommended and good value for money.

From the Publisher

Osprey's Combat series combines the best archival photography available with specially commissioned artworks and first hand accounts, making these books favourites amongst historians, modellers and aviation enthusiasts everywhere.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (July 23, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841766585
• ISBN-13: 978-1841766584
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.3 x 9.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #184,962 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional, December 20, 2003

By 

Barrett Tillman (Mesa, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Combat Aircraft 37: Iranian F-4 Phantom II Units in Combat (Paperback)

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 lament the Iranians' absence of unit markings. The main criticism is lack of a theater map, as the geography is never explained. But whether you're a Phantom Pflyer or Phanom Pfan, you'll devour this book.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A highly technical account of the Air war (iran/iraq), December 9, 2003

By 

Kamran "bayganik" (Carmel, IN USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Combat Aircraft 37: Iranian F-4 Phantom II Units in Combat (Paperback)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Impressive performance by Iran's pilots, August 19, 2009

By 

J. Katzman - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Combat Aircraft 37: Iranian F-4 Phantom II Units in Combat (Paperback)

Agree with the review that says maps would have been the final piece of the puzzle. The level of research involved in this book is impressive (the pictures in particular), though necessarily one-sided.

Even with expected inflation of claims from Iranian pilots, the performance of their Air force under pressure from both the Iraqis and their own incompetent government was something they can be very proud of. Most of these guys were freed from jail and torture, and still fought for their country with skill, intelligence, and courage. I'm glad someone went out and told their stories.