Iran Airshow 2018

[Berlingo]

Hello UKAR

At the end of November I was able to attend the 9th International Iran airshow. Until the very last moment, I didn't know what to expect about it but It was a fabulous show and a real dream to see a flying Tomcat. If the big cat was the star, others performers like Su-22s were very well presented.
I spend three day on the public area and one day in the south side of the airport, there, the light was great but the sight on the public area was awesome with aircrafts flying right over your head
It was my best airshow in 2018.

Welcome to Kish Airshow !

1)
IRG Sukhoi Su-22 by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

2)
IRIAF F-14A Tomcat by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

3)
IRIAF F-14A Tomcat by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

4)
IRIAF F-14A Tomcat by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

5)
IRIAF F-14A Tomcat by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

6)
IRIAF F-14A Tomcat by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

7)
IRIAF F-14A Tomcat by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

8)
IRIAF F-14A Tomcat by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

9)
Iranian Navy SH-3D by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

10)
Iranian Navy SH-3D by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

11)
IRIAF Northrop F-5E Saeghe by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

12)
IRIAF Northrop F-5E Saeghe by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

13)
IRIAF Northrop F-5E Saeghe by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

14)
F-14, F-4 and 747 by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

15)
IRIAF F-4E Phantom & F-14A Tomcat by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

16)
IRIAF F-4E Phantom by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

17)
IRIAF F-4E Phantom by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

18)
IRIAF F-4E Phantom by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

19)
IRIAF F-14A Tomcat by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

20)
IRIAF F-14A Tomcat by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

21)
IRIAF F-14A Tomcat by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

22)
IRG Sukhoi Su-22 by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

23)
IRG Sukhoi Su-22 by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

24)
IRG Sukhoi Su-22 by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

25)
IRG Sukhoi Su-22 by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

26)
F-14, F-4 and 707 by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

27)
IRIAF F-4E Phantom by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

28)
IRIAF F-4E Phantom by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

29)
IRIAF F-14A Tomcat by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

30)
IRIAF F-14A Tomcat by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

31)
IRIAF PC-7 by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

32)
C-130 & Baltic Bees by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

33)
Baltic Bees by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

34)
Il-76 by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

35)
Russian Swifts by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

36)
Russian Swifts by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

37)
Russian Swifts by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

38)
Russian Swifts by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

39)
Russian Swifts by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

40)
Russian Swifts by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

41)
Russian Swifts by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

42)
Russian Swifts by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

43)
Russian Swifts by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

44)
IRIAF F-14A Tomcat by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

45)
IRIAF F-14A Tomcat by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

46)
IRIAF F-14A Tomcat by Simon Schibli Photography, sur Flickr

Cheers

[jalfrezi]

Lovely stuff, another airshow to add to my bucket list!

[MiG_Eater]

One of the best sets on UKAR for a long time! No.1 and 21 are just incredible shots!

None of the shots from this show seem to show the F-14s with their wings swept... does the mechanism still work I wonder!?

[bigcrow]

Wonderful set of images, great to see the mighty Cat still flying...

[Airwolfhound]

Loved seeing these, thanks for posting

[Skyflash]

Dear RIAT...

Seriously, what an amazing thread... I can see a trip to Kish hopefully coming up at some point.

[maltwoser]

Beautiful set. I was expecting that kind of light in Bahrain!

[Sundowner]

Wow!! Now that was an airshow, superb images, thanks for sharing.

[Agg]

Fantastic stuff! Did the Cats fly on all three days?

[Berlingo]

Oh thanks a lot for these comments

Fantastic stuff! Did the Cats fly on all three days?

Yes, the show was the same every day, the cats took off from an other airbase and met the Phantoms and the tanker for a first flypast then fighters came a second time in two distinct formation for a break.

One of the best sets on UKAR for a long time! No.1 and 21 are just incredible shots!

None of the shots from this show seem to show the F-14s with their wings swept... does the mechanism still work I wonder!?

Hum I sure the mechanism works but unfortunately during the show we saw only one configuration.

[stillcrazy1]

Never seen a set as good as that. Quite astonishing.

[POD]

Very nice indeed

[Blackbird]

A really great set - many thanks. Just love the Tomcats!

Andy

[Wrexham Mackem]

There are some amazing sights here. I wonder how on earth they've managed to keep the F-14s airworthy.

I think its an event I'll admire from a distance though. I can just imagine the conversation between Mrs WM and me. "I'm off to an airshow for a few days pet". "oh yes, where is it this time?". "erm...... Iran"............

[Chucky]

Fantastic set of images Simon
#27 is my favourite

[pb643]

Superb, one of the most interesting sets of images in an awfully long while.

[Berlingo]

Thanks guys, much appreciated!

[Go4Long]

Really awesome...I've always joked about making the pilgrimage to see the F-14's fly, but am always too cautious to pull the trigger on that.

[pb643]

Berlingo,

At some point would you mind giving a little bit more background information about the whole experience of the show, Iran, how it compares with any other Western show and how you came to be there? (Looking back at your previous posts you are Swiss and are familiar with European shows?) It looks fascinating and I am sure I am not the only member who would love to hear more about it.

Phil

[GeorgeP]

An excellent selection of images. Well worth the visit just to see the F4s and the F14s. That F5 on image 13 could do with a strip and repaint.

I'll echo Phil's request and ask you to please give us a little more info about the show. It's a country that my wife and I would love to visit. TIA.

[Agg]

I think its an event I'll admire from a distance though. I can just imagine the conversation between Mrs WM and me. "I'm off to an airshow for a few days pet". "oh yes, where is it this time?". "erm...... Iran"............

I had the same exact conversation with my wife - "look at this, pictures of the last flying F-14s...in Iran" - "We're not going to Iran!" - "Maybe as a "guy trip"?" - "You're not going to Iran!"

[HeyfordDave111]

OK, that's the next big trip sorted.

I'm off to Iran for the next one in 2020, who wants to come and make a proper trip of it all? I ask because if we had some sort of 'party' of us, things might be easier to arrange.

Plus if the guys here that went could chip in with info and tips, i'd be only too glad to try and organise something, get permissions etc etc.

P.M. me if your interested.

Cheers
Dave

[Berlingo]

I think its an event I'll admire from a distance though. I can just imagine the conversation between Mrs WM and me. "I'm off to an airshow for a few days pet". "oh yes, where is it this time?". "erm...... Iran"............

I had the same exact conversation with my wife - "look at this, pictures of the last flying F-14s...in Iran" - "We're not going to Iran!" - "Maybe as a "guy trip"?" - "You're not going to Iran!"

Haha, I don't know why, Iran is beautiful and I felt safe there

As some of you want more informations, I'll give more informations

So my trip in Iran was in two parts. First I wanted to visit the country, I choose Theran, Shiraz and a place I really wanted to visit: Persepolis.
I asked one of my friend who has a travel agency and he gave me the name of a small Iranian agency in Switzerland. I needed them to booked domesticals flights and hotels becauses airlines and hotel's websites are in Persian. I also booked a guide because it's cheap and very useful in this kind a country. For the visa, there are two options, ask for a visa on arrival or made the visa in your country. I choose the "on arrival visa" and my agency made the job for me. You need a passport valid for more than 6 month after the trip and if you have visited Israel before you're gone.
To reach the country, Turkish Airlines via Istanbul is the best way. On arrival you have to get your visa. They'll ask you to buy an insurance if you don't have one and pay 75€ for the visa. Then you have to show the visa autorisation.
No stamp in the passport !!
Tehran worth one day, two for Shiraz and Persepolis is a must see as many other cities I didn't visited. About flights in the country, nothing specials, it was easy, it works like every airports in Europe and all informations are in English too.
For the Kish Airshow, I pass threw an other agency to get the accreditation and an acces to the south side of the airport where they prepare a small spot for member of the press, média, etc... on the north side/public area you have the sun in front of you.
To go to the south side, it was a bit difficult as the organisation was not good, you traveled threw the airport with buses via the terminal building and you are escorted by soldiers all day long. Go south side means no static display for that day.
If you decided to see the show from the public area its easier, the show is free, you can reach the airport with a cab for 2£, you will find food, chairs, toilets, speakers, music...
the gates open at 2pm and the flying display at 2h30pm sharp and at 17pm soldiers will begin to push you out. At the main entrance, your bags are checked, you can bring food and drinks... I only brought a medium small backpack but I think larger or several bags are not a problem. When the gates open there is nearly nobody so it's easy, most of the crowd arrive for aerobatic teams at the end of the show.
The show is as well organised as European Airshows, the static display was small but no ropes around the aircrafts excluding the F-14A, there are at least one soldier to keep each planes. You're free to make as many photos as you want but be quick and made your pictures before the arrival of the crowd then it'll be difficult to made good pictures.
There are small fences between the hot ramp and the public area. From there you have a perfect view on the aerobatic teams and F-5s. You can see the whole preflight operations and then planes taxi right in front of you.
The flying displays were awesome, aircrafts are flying right over the public others were very low as the F-14. From the south side, some aircrafts come very close too (mig 29 solo) but not the IRIAF's aircrafts but they are at a very good distance for photography and the light is perfect.
As a conclusion, I spend ten days in Iran without any problems, I tried great food met great peoples and the Airshow was awesome.
You just need to prepare your trip, learn a bit about the country and for a first time there request helps from a travel agency.
OK that's all for the moment. Sorry for my English.
Ask me if you have others questions.

[Agg]

I think its an event I'll admire from a distance though. I can just imagine the conversation between Mrs WM and me. "I'm off to an airshow for a few days pet". "oh yes, where is it this time?". "erm...... Iran"............

I had the same exact conversation with my wife - "look at this, pictures of the last flying F-14s...in Iran" - "We're not going to Iran!" - "Maybe as a "guy trip"?" - "You're not going to Iran!"

Haha, I don't know why, Iran is beautiful and I felt safe there

As some of you want more informations, I'll give more informations

So my trip in Iran was in two parts. First I wanted to visit the country, I choose Theran, Shiraz and a place I really wanted to visit: Persepolis.
I asked one of my friend who has a travel agency and he gave me the name of a small Iranian agency in Switzerland. I needed them to booked domesticals flights and hotels becauses airlines and hotel's websites are in Persian. I also booked a guide because it's cheap and very useful in this kind a country. For the visa, there are two options, ask for a visa on arrival or made the visa in your country. I choose the "on arrival visa" and my agency made the job for me. You need a passport valid for more than 6 month after the trip and if you have visited Israel before you're gone.

Haha, I think a bit of persuasion is needed, fortunately I have to years to do it

I've been to Israel though, they didn't stamp my passport either, so maybe it wont be a problem? If they find out I can always tell them that I didn't like it very much

[Go4Long]

OK, that's the next big trip sorted.

I'm off to Iran for the next one in 2020, who wants to come and make a proper trip of it all? I ask because if we had some sort of 'party' of us, things might be easier to arrange.

Plus if the guys here that went could chip in with info and tips, i'd be only too glad to try and organise something, get permissions etc etc.

P.M. me if your interested.

Cheers
Dave

I'd probably be down for that once I get over licking my wounds for the MAKS 2019 debacle. When does this fall relative to the Dubai Show?