The six Lockheed P-3F Orions destined for Iran were originally taken from surplus stocks of the USN and thus prepared for delivery to Iran while still wearing white on top of the fuselage and the fin, and gull gray on undersurfaces and the wing. This was complemented with IIAF service titles and four-digit serials from 5-256 to 5-261. Shortly before their delivery, the Iranians requested their repainting in an attractive tactical three-tone camouflage pattern consisting of azure blue, dark grey, and sky, with a – deliberate – matt finish. Effective from 1 January 1976, their serial numbers were expanded to five digits, from 5-8701 to 5-8706. Two years later, this example was sent to the USA for trial installation of the then brand-new AGM-84A Harpoon anti-ship missile: a maximum of four of these could be carried on four underwing pylons. The aircraft and the first batch of Harpoons were returned to Iran, but the rest of that order (and the order for additional P-3Fs) was cancelled in March–April 1979. (Artwork by Tom Cooper)