Blaze1

Cheers Scott. The date of the KA-6D retirement was actually another question on my mind. When the Sargent Fletcher buddy store was used on the TRAMs, it also required a Sargent Fletcher Refuelling Control Panel to be fitted somewhere in the cockpit. For TRAM aircraft the only likely placements I can think of for it, are the panel below the ALR-45 azimuth display or the B/N's right side console. For SWIP jets the only available space would be the B/N's right side console. So taking this all into consideration, I assume the right side B/N console was the likely location of the ARS Control

Just a slight correction Jari. The ECM pod was the ALQ-167. The ALQ-126 is the A-6's internal system.

I've got few more questions about the A-6 and would appreciate any help. 1) There came a time when the A-6 was upgraded with the AN/ALR-45 Countermeasures Receiving set. The azimuth display indicator used was the AN/APR-25(V) which was simply carried over from the AN/APR-25 RHAW set. Later the following aircraft: A-6E 162182, 162190 & later numbers, TRAM Retrofit 95 (158537), TRAM Retrofit 131 (154131) & later TRAM Retrofits, as well as aircraft that didn't receive the ALR-67A under AFC 552 all acquired the IP-957 - AN/APR-36(V) azimuth display. The previous model often had its des

Hi Joe Do you know generally what types of changes are made to prevent such occurrences? I ask because the F-15E still deploys the AGM-130 and some F-111's still used the external tanks before retirement. I understand in some cases there are restrictions placed on release speed and weapon loading positions.

Hi Pete Thanks for the advice. I had already contacted MrVark a while back but he's not quite sure when the update was introduced. I think the MSD is going to be one of those tricky little things to pin a date to. Cheers

I read somewhere that the STARM was retired due to cracks being discovered in the motors as well as the arrival of the HARM. I assume if the HARM was still far off, then perhaps the AGM-78 would have gone through some sort of upgrade.

Bump 3 :)

Bump 2 :)

Why thank you HOLMES Is this you being benevolent or you being a fan of the F-111D? :D

Does anyone happen to know when the WSO's Multi-Sensor Display (MSD) in the F-111D was upgraded? Here are a couple of pictures showing the original and the upgraded versions: Original MSD Upgraded MSD As you can see, the original display has eleven white, circular, push-buttons below the display screen. Each push-button has a lamp above it, that illuminates a triangular bulb within in green, when the corresponding button is pushed. The upgraded display features eleven black, square, push-buttons below the display screen. Each push-button has a triangular, LED lamp, embedded

Just an update for all those of you that are interested. A friend of mine managed to get in contact with a former SWIP A-6E B/N, who stated that the Block 1A never made it to fleet so was never operational. He also mentioned that the ALR-67 started to arrive in 1992. Now onto the F-111D :D Cheers

Hi Collin Initially I thought the main differentiating aspect of the Block 1A would be the HUD and that the other SWIP variants possibly had the B/N's MFD, but that is not the case at all. Ignoring the 1A aircraft, the main item to look for I think is the IMP panel on the centre console. The AN/ALR-67A(V) was introduced in 1985 I believe, so there were none SWIP jets flying in the 90's with it installed. The electronic fuel guage may also be an indication of an SWIP bird, but I'm not sure as I don't know when they were installed.

After search further I've managed to find the following cockpit images: http://farm1.staticflickr.com/54/193728704_c7f748e5e1.jpg http://www.flickr.com/photos/divemasterking2000/186716509/ Best of all: http://images.travelpod.com/users/tjstaggs/3.1312486826.a-6-intruder-cockpit.jpg In these photos we can see the old gunsight glass rather than the new HUD, the Integrated Missile Panel (IMP), AN/ALR-67A(V) indicator and controls and no B/N MFD, so we know that these are all SWIP or SWIP Block 1 birds confirming the lack of MFD as you mentioned. As A6BSTARM suggested, I've managed to get th

Thanks VA-115EFR. Your unit must have received the SWIP upgrade, not the Block 1A, because the first flight of the 1A was supposed to be in 1994. Do you notice any similarities to the cockpit image I linked to, such as the IMP on centre console that divides the Pilot and B/N and the B/N's MFD?

Thanks for the help A6BSTARM, you've helped clear up most of my questions So regarding the SWIP Block 1A, do you believe it was actually operational?

Hi Everyone :) I was wondering if anyone could help me answer a few questions about the A-6E, namely the introduction or lack thereof of upgrades and when they actually reached squadrons for operation. First of all, for improved Standard ARM (AGM-78) capabilities, the AWG-21 system was added to a number of A-6E TRAM aircraft. Does anyone know when the system reached operational squadrons, as the only information I have is that it was in the early 80's? Regarding the A-6E SWIP aircraft, I'm a little confused about the avionics upgrades, as in what systems reached active service and which w

If Saudi are to receive a 'watered down' F-15 Strike Eagle variant, I doubt it will be based on the SG which is perhaps the most advanced model. The SG is equiped with the APG-63v3 AESA radar, Sniper pod, IRST, MIDS/FDL and JHMCS.

Thats what I'm afraid of Dave. I think I'll just have to get model aswell. Hopefully I'll get some feedback about the book first. Cheers Blaze1

Hello Joe Is this a new issue or something that has been around since the aircraft entered service? I ask because Ricardo Traven demostrated the aircraft several times with 8 to 10 AAMs, two sidewinders on the wingtips, one AMRAAM on the each outboard pylon, two AMRAAMs on each middle pylon and sometimes one AMRAAM on each fuselage station. I take it that perhaps its a release/firing issue? Thanks Blaze1

Thanks. Raptor22 the F-15C/E Eagle Units in OIF and F/A-18 Hornet Units in OIF are two that I definately plan to check out, cheers. Murph, the ODS book is the only detail & scale book I have and I bought that many moons ago. It was very well done in my opinion and I'm hoping the OIF book will follow the same format. I can certainly do without any politics in the publication, I just what to know what colour it was, where the stripes went, how many were dropped/fired and have lots of supporting pictures. There a couple of book shops I'll check to see if the book is solded separatel

I'm not sure if this is the best forum to post this, but has anyone looked at the Detail and Scale book 'U.S. Aircraft and Weapons of Operation Iraqi Freedom' by bert kinzey? I'm not a modeller and I already have 'U.S Aircraft & Armament of Operation Desert Storm' which is a very good reference book, but I was wondering if the Iraqi Freedom book would be a good addition. Unfortunately it seems it can only be bought as part of a Revell Harrier kit bundle. Blaze1

Hi Karl From what I understand the Super Hornet will behave like you described when in UA or cruise gains. With weight on wheels however, I think only the the spoilers on the LERXs are deflected. Blaze1

Hi Murph What is also interesting is how the stabs and ailerons disagree, is almost as if UA cruise flight control laws came into affect. Blaze1

Hello Those are fantastic images CRASCA!. The pilot did a good job avoiding a major accident and did it with some style: Fancy control surface movement, Opposite lock and a well executed pirouette. Unfortunately the jet did leave the runway and the stabs were dirtied, I'd give it a 5.8 😄 Blaze1