Franken aircraft with 3-7171, FMS 75-0707

Franken aircraft with 3-7171, FMS 75-0707

Formation take-off on the final day of the 9th Iran Airshow, the last one so far at the time of uploading. In the lead, as every day, was 3-7367 (۳-۷۳۶۷).

Whether it's the quality of the paint or the pavement that caused this, that underside could use some refurbishing. In camouflage again since April 2015 after having had a blue promotional scheme, this frame was first noted marked as S110-002 in September 2007.

Recovery after the flying display. The encircled 2 on the tail fin stands for the 2nd Tactical Air Base at Tabriz, where all the IRIAF Saeqehs are operated by 23 TFS.

On the second day of the flying programme, this pair gave a very wild display. Here, they had just recovered from what seemed a not too stable formation barrel roll. The following displays were considerably less exciting, and higher. Their commander may have pointed out he needed the pilots and aircraft after the show as well. The number two, without wingtip launcher rails, is 3-7368 (۳-۷۳۶۸).

Taxiing in after the first flying display, FOD protectors fitted on the engine air intakes. The first photos of this aircraft emerged in April 2008 and it has been wearing code S110-003 before.

Pulling up hard over the crowd from a low pass on the first day of the Iran Airshow 2018. The first flight ever of this F-5E conversion is said to have been in July 2004.

This is likely a composite airframe, with indications it consists of c/n Z1018, former F-5F 3-7171 FMS serial 75-0698, and c/n Z1027, former F-5F 75-0707 that also went to Iran under FMS. It is equipped with Russian ejection seats and Chinese navigation equipment. Saeqeh means Thunder in Farsi, and this is the only dual seat version known to exist.

So far, the twin fin conversion from F-5 to Saeqeh seems to be no more than a proof of concept. The ۲ on the tail confirms this aircraft was based at 2nd Tactical Air Base Tabriz, where 23 TFS is the IRIAF's sole Saeqeh squadron.