EP-IAD. Boeing 747SP-86. c/n 21758-371.

 

This was the fourth and final 747SP purchased by Iran Air. It was ordered on June 01, 1978 and it was the twenty-third Boeing 747SP to be built. Rolled out at Everett on April 02, 1979 with Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7F engines it flew for the first time on April 26, 1979 as N1800B.

The acceptance and delivery of this aircraft encountered a few problems. Due to the overthrow of the Shah of Iran by Islamic fundamentalists, poor diplomatic relations existed between the United States and Iran at this time. With the aircraft entered onto the Iranian Aircraft Register as EP-IAD it was ferried from the Boeing plant at Everett to Frankfurt Airport in an all-white livery with bare metal underside and no titles. It was then unceremoniously handed over the Iran Air representatives on July 12, 1979 and flown to Tehran.

The aircraft entered service shortly thereafter on the airline's European routes configured to seat 22 Business Class and 283 Economy Class passengers. It has remained unnamed during its entire life.

EP-IAD was observed at Orly Airport on October 01, 1992 with new titles but still wearing the old livery. The old livery had been modernised by May 1994.

This aircraft has been withdrawn from service.

 

 

EP-IAD. Iran Air - in the original livery 'all-white' at Frankfurt Airport, July 1979.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4635-382.)

EP-IAD. Iran Air - in the original livery at an unknown airport, July 1982.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4635-568.)

EP-IAD. Iran Air - in the final livery at an unknown airport, August 1994.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4635-623.)

EP-IAD. Iran Air - in the final livery at an unknown airport, October 1999.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4635-624.)