
First it was monkeys in space (or not) and now it’s “GI Joe” fighter jets. Not the best of times for Iran’s aviation and aerospace programs, at least if you listen to the skeptics.
First there were doubts about Tehran’s claim it sent a monkey into space in late January. After photos of two different monkeys that were aboard the alleged one-monkey space shot surfaced, Iran media said there was a photo mix-up and, yes, there was just one Iranian monkey in space.
Then this week Iran unveiled what it said was its new high-tech stealth fighter plane. The jet shown in pictures on the website of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been the butt of jokes all week from aviation bloggers.
“This aircraft looks a lot like an old GI Joe toy,” wrote one blogger.
And from another, “This has to be a joke, right?”
Click through the gallery above to see the bloggers' comments and evidence in the photos.


They are either way behind the times, and weak. Or they are strong. They have aces up their sleeve and they are displaying false weakness.
Notice how far the reporters are from the plane so they don't notice how fake it is.
Looks like McFarlane did a good job of making a toy plane.
Seems kinda small, even for a short persian. I think Russia is pulling a joke on these guys.
The other problem with this photo that nobody has mentioned is: how does it get off that turntable it's sitting on? Answer: it doesn't.
How long until it's posted on eBay as a "Buy it Now"?
It's a total distraction from the Iranians
They know our experts immediately recognize it as a fake
IMe thinks that the US should worry about the real monster: North Korea. I dare the US to take that on.
Remember what happened to their previous missile launches? I think US has other things to worry about than N. Korea. If N. Korea fires one bullet in America's direction, they better get ready to shield themselves from a thousand missiles landing on their roof's.
Heck, my R/C plane could outperform that thing.
There are better rides at Universal Studios and Disneyland than the F-313 Great Satan Smasher. But given that it's fake and fibreglass, every kid on the block can have one under his Ramadan tree next year.
That one pic that shows the back of the pilot's console...I think I see a cat5, a serial cable, and an ac adapter.
Hahahahahahahahaha
No man that's an eight track and a cigarette lighter,lol
and I think I also see an acoustic coupler too
And where does the canopy get secured at??? There are no latches, even at the top crusing speed of 20mph the canopy would fly open.
I love how my elementary school gymnasium looks better than the "hangar" they are presenting it in... I can't wait till the day the Iranian "power" facade falls...
Does it come with a remote control?
Hey Iran... 1940 called, they want their flying boats back.
Iranian government reminds me of American celebrities..... they don't care if it's good or bad publicity, they just want the publicity!
Judging an aircraft by it's appearance can be difficult. Historically aircraft have both been under-rated and over-rated until some real performance data is available. One needs to be particularly careful when one disagrees with the politics/etc. of the country which (may) have produced the aircraft.
Why are the placards on the plane all in ENGLISH?
This thing might just work...as a kamikaze aircraft. Just get it into the air, point it towards the enemy, and then turn on the digital camera linked to Tehran to let the "pilot' make his "going away" speech on state TV.
It's not about politics. It's not even about performance. It's about the fact that this plane is fake.