picture 204167

A reconstruction of a Bell 214A Esfahan of an unknown IRIAA unit, as seen in the Abadan area in 1986. By the time of the Iran-Iraq War, this helicopter received the full service title applied in the usual place on cabin doors, and the ‘Onion’ in black. Early during the war, many IRIAA Bell 214As went into combat still wearing the last three of their serials applied in large orange digits on the top of the nose and cabin doors. Note that the top sides of main rotor blades on all helicopters of this type were also painted dark yellow sand. (Artwork by Tom Cooper)