This view almost makes one forget there was no Asian camoufage F-14 at the show (or probably still around at all). Almost.

On each flying day, this pair would be part of a formation trailing a tanker, and return afterwards for one low pass. In the #2 position here is 3-6052 (٣-۶۰۵۲, BuNo 160350). Iran's Tomcats were delivered in the 1970s, like its other American equipment still in use.

Persian Cat power. The use of Western versus Arabic numerals is reversed on the other side of the jets. Having been 3-6022 before, this show was 3-6052's first sighting as such.

At the appropriate altitude for a low pass. About a dozen of the Persian Cats were said to be still operational. Noted for the first time in public here, this was serial 3-891 before.

Taking the last shots of the day as the public is being 'swept' from the static display. All placards on the Tomcat are still those from the time of its delivery, including referral to US Navy documents (NAVAIR) with regards to the explosive charges of the emergency escape system.

Persian Cat pulling G's on the first day of flying during the 2018 Iran Airshow. The encircled ٨ on the tail indicates its home base is Esfahãn, the 8th Tactical Air Base of the IRIAF.

Eye to eye with an Iranian Tomcat, a moment to remember despite the less-than-ideal photo conditions. A mark on the tail confirms its home as that of all three Persian Cat squadrons: 8th Tactical Air Base at Esfahãn. Previous serial of this beauty is 3-892.

In 2005, I pictured my last operational F-14s (VF-31 and VF-213) on board the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Arabian Sea/ Persian Gulf. Never ever expected that I was given the opportunity to see my all time favorite aircraft operational again, but thirteen years later it happened! Persian Cats in the air, after my camera shutter clicks at Kish (the non-floating variant of the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Gulf ;-) , I made a deep bow for the Persian Cats, awesome!

In 2005, I pictured my last operational F-14s (VF-31 and VF-213) on board the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Arabian Sea/ Persian Gulf. Never ever expected that I was given the opportunity to see my all time favorite aircraft operational again, but thirteen years later it happened! Persian Cats in the air, after my camera shutter clicks at Kish, I made a deep bow for them, awesome!

In 2005, I pictured my last operational F-14s (VF-31 and VF-213) on board the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Arabian Sea/ Persian Gulf. Never ever expected that I was given the opportunity to see my all time favorite aircraft operational again, but thirteen years later it happened! Persian Cats in the air, after my camera shutter clicks at Kish, I made a deep bow for them, awesome!