Professional reading.

Bishop, Farzad and Tom Cooper. Iranian F-4 Phantom II Units in Combat. Osprey Direct USA, MBI Publishing, 729 Prospect Ave., PO Box 1, Osceola, WI 54020. 2003. 96 pp. Ill. $19.95.

There has been a lot published on McDonnell's masterpiece, much of it dealing with the F-4's service in Vietnam, while discussions sometimes include combat in the Middle East and peripheral experiences in various countries around the world. Recently, a few magazine articles and one book from Schiffer have described aerial operations during the bloody Iran-Iraq War of 1980-1988. This new book, No.37 in Osprey's "Combat Aircraft" series, focuses on the F-4 and opens a window on the shadowy Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force  (IRIAF) and its large number of Phantom IIs and their flight crews.

The first F-4s arrived in the Shah's air force in 1968, with deliveries continuing up to the revolution that overthrew the "Peacock throne" in 1979. These were top-of-the-line purchases in concert with other armaments, including F-14 Tomcats. Imperial flight and ground crews had trained in the U.S. and, thus, were immediately under suspicion by the revolutionary government.

According to the authors, the reformed IRIAF's ranks were decimated by the new rulers, but after the first Iraqi attacks in September 1988 hundreds of imprisoned flight crews were released to defend their country. The incredible conditions that F-4 crews faced are part of the unusual text.

There are several interesting black-and-white and color photos of varying quality and Jim Laurier's profiles are well done, although there are very few distinguishing, and no personal, unit markings. Various tidbits include a brief account of an IRIAF Cobra pilot's involvement in a search and rescue effort, disclosure of French-trained mercenaries flying MiGs for the Iraqis, and occasional mention of other types such as the F-14.

A list of claimed Iranian kills shows that there is one six-kill F-4 Iranian ace. A list of IRIAF losses would have been helpful, but overall this book is a real treat for F-4 enthusiasts and a good value for the money.

I'd stack these Osprey products up against all comers.

By Cdr. Peter B. Mersky, USNR (Ret.)