The IIAA received a total of 202 AH-1Js, about 190 of which were available when Iraq invaded Iran. The first 140 of these were delivered with standard armament consisting of the 20mm gun and standard wing stores. But three of these, and subsequently another 62 examples, were modifed to the full confguration compatible with BGM-71 TOW ATGMs. All were painted in dark yellow sand and dark earth over, and pale grey under. With much of the Iranian military demobilised and then mauled by purges of commanding officers, the IRIAA struggled to mobilise in response to the Iraqi invasion. Many of its helicopters were rushed into combat with incomplete service titles: the first ‘I’ – standing for ‘Imperial’ – and the IIAA patch were crudely removed, and only ‘IAA’ left in its place. (Artwork by Tom Cooper)