F-14 squadrons removing refueling cover plate?

In the 1970s, Drewe, Iran purchased a total of 14 Boeing 707-3J9C and four
Boeing 747-2J9C tankers (up to 17 Boeing 747s were purchased for military
purposes by Iran, however, only four of these were tankers).

All of these were equipped with booms, and were originally intended to
support the large fleet of F-4Es, which were equipped with the USAF
IFR-system ("boom-and-receptacle").

As F-14s were equipped with the USN-system ("drogue-and-probe"), it was
decided to re-equip them with the USAF-system at a later stage: for testing
purposes of such a system on the Tomcat, the 80th F-14A sold to Iran was
held back in the USA (and was also never delivered).

Before this could be done a temporary solution was found through the
purchase of some eight Beech 1800 IFR-pods: either four or six Boeing 707s
were modified to carry these, and so the IIAF F-14A-pilots could do their
IFR-training in the 1970s (and later operate with extensive tanker support
during the IPGW - or the "Iraq-Iran War") without any problems.

Therefore, the Iranian tankers were not equipped with the adaptor drogue
that can be mounted on the USAF-style flying boom, and - in turn - this all
was of no influence for the Iranian decision to remove the covers for
IFR-probe from their Tomcats.


Tom Cooper
Co-Author:
Iran-Iraq; War in the Air, 1980-1988
http://www.schifferbooks.com/militar...764316699.html

Iranian F-4 Phantom II Units in Combat
http://www.osprey-publishing.co.uk/t...hp/title=S6585