February 8th, 2013
11:55 AM ET

Iran's newest warplane something from 'GI Joe?'

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.

Iran unveils "flying boats"

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Filed under: Aviation • Iran • Military
soundoff (1,349 Responses)
  1. Jeebusss

    This reminds me of that episode of the Simpsons when Homer designed a car.

    February 8, 2013 at 7:11 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Peter

    Does this thing carry bombs or have any guns, or do they think the mere presence of a cardboard-like go-cart version of an airplane in the air is enough to scare away American fighter jets? I think we have obviously been wasting our money developing war planes that can kick the daylights out of anything. We should be spending our money developing war planes that can chuckle when they lay their eyes on this joke.

    February 8, 2013 at 7:15 pm | Report abuse |
  3. James

    Where the hell are the weapons? Is he going to open the canopy and throw rocks? It looks like painted plywood.

    February 8, 2013 at 7:18 pm | Report abuse |
    • Roodee

      Can you see weapons on an F22 and F35? No, because there are retractable missile bays within the wings....helps reduce drag and radar cross-section

      February 8, 2013 at 9:40 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Anonymous

    The Iranians don't realize that the canards need to be above or below the main wing for the aircraft to fly, theirs is right in line with it.

    February 8, 2013 at 7:19 pm | Report abuse |
  5. john

    Maybe that is a decoy and the real one is secret ?
    Just kidding. That is the most horribly put together aircraft that I have ever seen.
    I think it is time they seek out some new engineers.
    Looks like a non operational kids toy

    February 8, 2013 at 7:21 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Jimmy Bob

    Put an outboard motor on it and it'd be a nifty little boat

    February 8, 2013 at 7:22 pm | Report abuse |
  7. HeyZeus

    Went to the website for a better look. The close ups show that this plane is a very poorly done fiberglass/cardboard replica/K-Mart ride. If you look at the edges and fittings it is easy to see that this 'aircraft' is nothing more than a cheap cut out to 'impress'. One has to wonder, why are all of the caution devices in English?

    February 8, 2013 at 7:22 pm | Report abuse |
  8. miamizj

    Who ever wrote this article is a flawed, looks nothing like a GI joe plane. Looks good and war like.

    February 8, 2013 at 7:23 pm | Report abuse |
    • BigSancho

      Is that you Mahmoud?

      February 8, 2013 at 8:01 pm | Report abuse |
  9. socalpimp

    The Iranians are too simple in their minds to make a plane like the USA airforce

    February 8, 2013 at 7:23 pm | Report abuse |
  10. TheLocNar

    It's Starscream's illegitimate son.

    February 8, 2013 at 7:24 pm | Report abuse |
  11. Great American Hero

    1. Notice the plane is in a fairground barn. The Iranian local rodeo had to move outside for these pictures to be taken.
    2. There's about 5 wires running to the monochrome 1992 Mac they placed in front of the pilot.
    3. Shouldn't they at least have used a midget for a pretend pilot?

    February 8, 2013 at 7:24 pm | Report abuse |
    • Nationalist

      You know you're an Iranian government employee (sneaking onto the World Wide Web) if you are, in any form, defending this awesomeness as a 'war machine' a 'serious threat to not be taken lightly' or any form of support for it. The reality will be seeing it being 'flown' down the street, with a rope attached to a donkey and Borat sitting on top of the canopy waving.

      February 8, 2013 at 7:31 pm | Report abuse |
  12. J Z

    Don't forget the placement of the engine inlets. It is about the worst position for a plane flying at any angle of attack. Big old vortices coming off the sharp chines the minute it rotates off the ground and no form of boundary layer diverters whatsoever. I believe any engine would stall upon rotation for liftoff let alone dog fighting.

    February 8, 2013 at 7:30 pm | Report abuse |
  13. Manen Ah Ayadah

    Looks like 'stealth' sheet metal on an F-5.

    February 8, 2013 at 7:31 pm | Report abuse |
  14. Willie12345

    Didn't Revel make this in the mid 1990's ?

    February 8, 2013 at 7:35 pm | Report abuse |
    • CurmudgeonTx

      I am thinking you meant Mattel...

      February 9, 2013 at 8:23 am | Report abuse |
  15. Ric

    But, does it fly?

    February 8, 2013 at 7:39 pm | Report abuse |
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