Iran acquired a total of 80 Grumman F-14A Tomcat interceptors, 79 of which were delivered between 1976 and 1978, together with 484 AIM- 54A Phoenix long-range missiles (the balance of the order for AIM-54As, and a follow-up order for 75 re-engined F-14As were cancelled in April 1979). They were distributed between 72nd and 73rd TFS based at TFB.7 (Shiraz) and 81st, 82nd, and 83rd TFS at TFB.8 (Esfahan). Iranian Tomcats never received the improved AIM-9H Sidewinder and AIM-7F Sparrow missiles as planned, and fought the first months of the war with Iraq as illustrated here: with their internal M61A1 Vulcan 20mm automatic cannon and AIM-54A Phoenix missiles only. The entire fleet wore a modification of the Asia Minor camouflage pattern in tan (FS30400), dark brown (FS30140), and dark green (FS34079) on upper surfaces and sides, and light gray (FS36622) on undersurfaces, but had the front half of their radomes painted in radome tan and a large black anti-glare panel in front of the cockpit. This example – BuNo. 160334, IRIAF serial number 3-6036 – was piloted by Captain Jalal Zandi on 29 November 1980. (Artwork by Tom Cooper)