Dana F Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 (edited) Can anyone tell me what loadout combinations were common during Desert Storm? What 7-shot launchers were used on the inboard pylons? Did they load all Hellfires or TOWs, or maybe a combination of both? Edited August 2, 2009 by Dana F Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dana F Posted August 3, 2009 Author Share Posted August 3, 2009 No one has any idea on the DS loadouts? A search on the net hasn't got me anywhere. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Floyd S. Werner, Jr. Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 Check out this page. Towards the bottom are the Marine AH-1Ws. It varied by unit but normally a rack of TOWs, a rack of Hellfires and some rockets. http://www.dstorm.eu/pages/en/usa/ah-1.html Floyd Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dana F Posted August 3, 2009 Author Share Posted August 3, 2009 Well, I can't tell what's on both sides of a single aircraft looking at the pictures, but I do get the impression that four TOWS on one side and four Hellfires on the other was done. Wouldn't you agree? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
grandadjohn Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 From what I have been able to learn, Hellfire's were carried on the right side, TOW's on the left Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ski6502 Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 Concur with grandadjohn. While it is possible to carry TOW/Hellfire on either side of the a/c, the left side is preferable, due to the tail rotor being on the right side. Semper, Ski Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rotorwash Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 Here's a couple of Whiskeys bucking the loadout mentioned above. I don't have many Whiskeys showing both sides so maybe these are a fluke. Anyway, thought you guys might be interested. Ray Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ski6502 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Like I said, TOW/Hellfire are interchangeable on Stations 1 and 4, but I can tell you that operationally, we prefer to fly them on the left side. That way, should the wirecut logic fail on the TML, at least the wire is not on the tail rotor side (bad things can happen...) . But, honestly, whatever you think looks best. I'm not looking to make a flamewar out of this thread.... Semper, Ski Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rotorwash Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Like I said, TOW/Hellfire are interchangeable on Stations 1 and 4, but I can tell you that operationally, we prefer to fly them on the left side. That way, should the wirecut logic fail on the TML, at least the wire is not on the tail rotor side (bad things can happen...) . But, honestly, whatever you think looks best. I'm not looking to make a flamewar out of this thread....Semper, Ski :) Ski, Thanks for your service, sir. Sorry, I meant no offense. Just figured the pics might be helpful. I am in no way qualified to say ANYTHING about how the Marines like their helos. By the way, I should have mentioned those pics were from the National Museum of Naval Aviation archives in Pensacola. Ray Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ski6502 Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 No worries, think nothing of it! Great find with the pictures by the way. I would imagine that it's only a matter of time before we see a SuperCobra at the Pensacola museum, there are already a few Zulu's flying at Pendleton! Semper, Ski Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.