1-300 IRIAF Roundels Decals

These 1-300 Iranian Air Force Roundel decals reproduce the distinctive national aircraft insignia used by both the Imperial Iranian Air Force (IIAF) and the later Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF). The roundel consists of three concentric circles in the colors of the Iranian flag: green on the outside, white in the middle, and red in the center.
 
Decal Information
The sheet includes IRIAF Roundels markings suitable for use on 1-300 scale aircraft miniatures.
They are printed on clear-background waterslide decal paper. They need to be individually cut out. Apply over a properly prepared and gloss-coated model surface using normal waterslide-decal techniques.
 
Key Historical Details
Region / Nation: India - Pakistan Conflict
Service: Military Aviation
Time Period: Period Appropriate to the Marking
Primary Marking: National Aircraft Roundels
Scale: 1-300
Application: Historically appropriate aircraft and aviation subjects
 
Historical Information
Iran began developing a military aviation force during the early 1920s, acquiring its first aircraft from European manufacturers. The Iranian Air Force became operational during the mid-1920s and was later known as the Imperial Iranian Air Force. From its earliest years, Iranian military aircraft used national markings based on the traditional green, white, and red colors of Iran, with the basic roundel remaining remarkably consistent over subsequent decades.
 
During the reign of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s, the Imperial Iranian Air Force underwent a major modernization program and became one of the best-equipped air forces in the Middle East. Large numbers of American aircraft were acquired, including the F-4 Phantom II, F-5 Freedom Fighter and Tiger II, and F-14A Tomcat, along with C-130 transports, P-3 maritime patrol aircraft, CH-47 Chinooks, and other types. The familiar green-white-red roundel appeared prominently on these aircraft.
 
Following the Iranian Revolution of 1979, the Imperial Iranian Air Force was reorganized as the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF). Although royal and Imperial emblems were removed or replaced, the traditional aircraft roundel was retained. The basic green outer ring, white middle ring, and red center remained unchanged, making it an unusual example of a national aircraft marking that survived a major political revolution with little alteration.
 
The IRIAF was soon tested during the Iran-Iraq War of 1980–1988. Despite shortages of spare parts and the loss of many foreign technical support arrangements after the revolution, Iran continued operating much of its American-built aircraft fleet. F-4s, F-5s, and particularly the famous F-14 Tomcat remained important elements of Iranian air power throughout the conflict.
 
In later decades, Iran supplemented its surviving Western aircraft with additional types from other sources, including the MiG-29, Su-24, F-7, and Mirage F1, while also developing indigenous aircraft and modernization programs. Through these changes, the traditional green-white-red roundel continued to serve as the primary national identification marking on Iranian military aircraft.