On Display At the Iran Air Show
November 30, 2016
The aerial display at Kish Island was no sleepy affair. Each day began with a reenactment of a dramatic dogfight between an Iranian air force F-14A and a MiG-29B, to show off hard turn maneuvers and the release of flares from both aircraft.

The MiG-29s flew from the island while the F-14 zoomed in from the mainland.

A formation of three F-4E Phantom fighters and a Boeing 707-3J9C tanker were among the 12 Iranian air force aircraft at the show.

An Iranian air force C-130H Hercules performs a low-altitude air drop near the airfield ramp.

The air force featured two HESA Saeqeh fighters on the static display. The aircraft is a twin tailfin F-5 E/F modified by Owj Industries.

Only two helicopters were represented during the flying display. One was an Mi-17, which showed off its firefighting capability.

Another rotorwing aircraft, the Ukrainian VV2, was the second helicopter that flew. Iran is one of the largest markets in the Middle East for civilian helicopters, aerial firefighting, medical evacuation and other transport rotorcraft.

A pair of Su-27P Flankers from the Russian Knights aerobatic team perform a mirror formation. The Knights flew at the show for the first time.

The Latvian Baltic Bees flew six L-39 Albatross aircraft. The Bees were among the air force and aerobatic teams, ultralight and civilian aircraft and helicopters that took part in the 2-hr. display.

The Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Co. (IAIO) revealed many of its products for the first time, including two unmanned combat aerial vehicles, the Karrar (top) and the Hamaseh (bottom). Utility UAVs were also on display, including the Yasir low-cost, long-endurance UAV developed by IAIO.

The aerial display at Kish Island was no sleepy affair. Each day began with a reenactment of a dramatic dogfight between an Iranian air force F-14A and a MiG-29B, to show off hard turn maneuvers and the release of flares from both aircraft.

The MiG-29s flew from the island while the F-14 zoomed in from the mainland.

A formation of three F-4E Phantom fighters and a Boeing 707-3J9C tanker were among the 12 Iranian air force aircraft at the show.

An Iranian air force C-130H Hercules performs a low-altitude air drop near the airfield ramp.

The air force featured two HESA Saeqeh fighters on the static display. The aircraft is a twin tailfin F-5 E/F modified by Owj Industries.

Only two helicopters were represented during the flying display. One was an Mi-17, which showed off its firefighting capability.

Another rotorwing aircraft, the Ukrainian VV2, was the second helicopter that flew. Iran is one of the largest markets in the Middle East for civilian helicopters, aerial firefighting, medical evacuation and other transport rotorcraft.

A pair of Su-27P Flankers from the Russian Knights aerobatic team perform a mirror formation. The Knights flew at the show for the first time.

The Latvian Baltic Bees flew six L-39 Albatross aircraft. The Bees were among the air force and aerobatic teams, ultralight and civilian aircraft and helicopters that took part in the 2-hr. display.

The Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Co. (IAIO) revealed many of its products for the first time, including two unmanned combat aerial vehicles, the Karrar (top) and the Hamaseh (bottom). Utility UAVs were also on display, including the Yasir low-cost, long-endurance UAV developed by IAIO.
Although big-name aviation companies were not present at the 8th International Iran Air Show, the display on Kish Island in the Persian Gulf, Nov. 16-19, was 20% larger than the last show and featured an enhanced aerial display.