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.
On the internet, everyone is an Aerospace Engineer. Just wanted to stop by and say hello to all my colleagues in the comment section. Good job, guys!
Ain't that the truth.
1) Find images of the rear of the aircraft. No nozzle or cone for an engine. Afterburner would melt the plane.
2) Using images of humans standing next to it, the overall craft can't be more than 25' long. Even the minuscule F-35 is 42' long.
This is the worst kind of mock-up. It's like they're not even trying.
oh their trying, in fact they tried their hardest! Did you expect anything more than that.
Its obviously a fake, so dumb Americans can get worked up. Guess it worked!!
"Dumb Americans will believe anything we say" Well they did elect George Bush at one time.
-Iran's President
Yeah ..... Just once.
And they elected a bigger imbecile to succeed him.
Didn't Amadinejhad spend like 10% of Iran's GDP in 2003 to build a superhighway through the middle of Tehran– under the assumption that when Mohammed returns he will of course arrive in Tehran first– and he will use this highway as a runway for his landing (in a plastic plane, no less)?
@Timodeus: You need to stop getting your election results from Karl Rove. Romney LOST.
The aircraft is nothing more than plywood,paint, and a left over VCR.
The footage of the aircraft flying is acutally a radio controled model aircraft.
"fool me once,shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me..."
Yep and most likely a ton or two of plaster. Totally a mock up and not a real AC....
Just imagine the horror of being the sorry sap that has to be the test pilot! Would love to see actual flight videos, maybe a hard turn at speed or proof of the ability to outrun my Honda Civic!
Good paint job there on the balsa wood.
It's interesting how none of the commenters "get it". This aircraft isn't designed to be serviceable. ..or to engage in combat. ....or to last longer than one flight.
This aircraft is designed for one volunteer Jihadist, to fly a one way suicide mission, to carry a small nuclear weapon...to Israel.
Get it?
That thing would not have the lift capability to carry a nuclear weapon. It probably wouldn't even make it anywhere near the Israeli border.
You're so right! And to go farther I believe this is a decoy plane, their showing this crap but have a much better plane for a surprise.
Fly? Naw, maybe towed behind a pickup truck.
Ahh the news. Reporting on the ramblings of bloggers. We've come so far lol.
Remember when Iran showed pictures that they had tested 103 new missiles?
Well, they did a good photoshop of the only launcher they had tested... unlucky that the launcher had a broken bulk over the wheel. They guy that forgot on how to change that one probably was killed in the same day and given to the fish...
This one??? a super fighter with bomber and a torpedo launcher against submarines... did they forgot that the pilot cannot let the stick (who is the unlucky guy that will fly that for a 6h flight???)and drop bombs? or are they on a return and get to a base to grab weapons, take off, throw them at the target, return to base, run to the armory, grab another weapon, take off....
If that truly represents the pinnacle of Iranian stealth fighter technology, then we can seriously cut back on our own domestic fighter production. I think a couple of flight students with fireworks and prop driven Cessnas could probably take on the Iranian air force at this point.
You sound like the moron who said "give me 50 cowboys and I go get the hostages". well now we know how well that worked.
looks like it was made by the same guy that built the drone model they were parading around.
I don't get this – is this an opinion piece? Where do we get off joking around about killing machines? Is it really NEWS to find people who will make fun of Iran? This is terrible and not mature.
Muttley c'mon out, I can hear your sneaky giggle.
Dastardly Ahmadinejad and Muttley in Their Flying Machines !!!
Looks like a jet fighter made of paper mache to me with the obvious wrinkles in its skin.