flybywire Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 (edited) Hi everyone! Just want to verify if the French Matra R550 is painted in white or FS36375? What about the AIM-9L (when used in France)also in FS36375 just like that of the U.S.? Thanks in advance! Edited January 27, 2014 by flybywire Quote Link to post Share on other sites
scotthldr Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 For the R550 White or Light Grey(similar to 36375)depending on timeframe, I think Silver may have been used at one as well. I didn't even know that France used the AIM-9 until now, what aircraft did they use them on? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Prickelpit Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 Matra 550 in FS 36375 or white is ok.French aircraft use only Matra 550,no Sidewinders and never Pythons!That is in the instruction plan definitly wrong! <_< Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Crazy Snap Captain Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 I know Hellenic AF used AIM -9's on their F-1CG's but never seen French birds with them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
scotthldr Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 Found these pictures of Armee de l'Air Mirage III's taken in 1978 and 1971 with what looks like AIM-9E's http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/4/0/2/1829204.jpg http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/0/8/0/0253080.jpg I don't think the AIM-9 would've seen service into the 80's with the French, as the R550 Magic was in full production by 1976. Would like to hear if different as I didn't even know they used them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
flybywire Posted January 27, 2014 Author Share Posted January 27, 2014 For the R550 White or Light Grey(similar to 36375)depending on timeframe, I think Silver may have been used at one as well. I didn't even know that France used the AIM-9 until now, what aircraft did they use them on? I googled mirage f.1 cr and then clicked wikipedia; then under the armament section, you'll find there 2x aim-9 sidewinders. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
scotthldr Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 I googled mirage f.1 cr and then clicked wikipedia; then under the armament section, you'll find there 2x aim-9 sidewinders. I think that's a general characteristic and will be referring to the likes of the Hellenic, Spanish and Iranian F1's. The first F1CR's entered service in 1983 and I would imagine that they utilised the R550 from the outset. Taken from the same page " Initially, the aircraft was armed with two internal 30 mm cannons, and a single Matra R530 medium-range air-to-air missile carried under the fuselage.[6][7] It was replaced after 1979, when the improved Matra Super 530 F entered into service with the French Air Force.[8] In 1977, the R550 Magic was released. The F1 has these missiles mounted on rails on the wingtips. Around the same time, the American AIM-9 Sidewinder became part of the Mirage F1's armament, after the Spanish and Hellenic Air Forces requested integration of the Sidewinder on their own Mirage F1CE and CG fighters." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MoFo Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 Found these pictures of Armee de l'Air Mirage III's taken in 1978 and 1971 with what looks like AIM-9E's http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/4/0/2/1829204.jpg http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/0/8/0/0253080.jpg I'm pretty sure the first pic shows Magics. The second shot is just a generic "here's all the crap that we're technically able to carry" sales line-up from Farnborough or Paris similar. It's done to show prospective buyers what COULD be used, and doesn't mean it actually used them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
scotthldr Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 First picture is definitely AIM-9(I think E's) R550 Magic has forward fin set up consisting of two sets of four fins. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cafe Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 IIRC, the only Mirage IIICs able to carry the Matra Magic were the ones used in the 80ies by EC 3/10 Vexin in Djibouti. All other French Air Force IIICs used Sidewinders (AIM-9B ?). That Mirage IIIC from EC 2/10 Seine in the first pic is carrying Sidewinders under the wings and an R530 under the fuselage. The Mirage IIIE/5 could use both Sidewinders and Magics depending on the customer/time period. I don't think the Mirage F1 ever used Sidewinders in french service. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MoFo Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 D'oh. You're right. Brain fart - the proportions just looked 'off' for a 'Winder. Looking through an old Wing Masters on IIICs in Djibouti, they list armament as "deux missiles AIM-9B Sidewinder puis Matra 550 Magic." That is, two AIM-9B, later replaced by Matra 550. So apparently they DID use (early) Sidewinders. AIM-9Ls seem really doubtful, though, since they'd have indigenous alternatives at that time. Why spend money on US Sidewinders when you can buy French Magics, Micas and the like? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Deke Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 First picture is definitely AIM-9(I think E's) R550 Magic has forward fin set up consisting of two sets of four fins. French Mirage IIIs used the AIM-9B till the Magic I entered service. Deke Quote Link to post Share on other sites
flybywire Posted January 28, 2014 Author Share Posted January 28, 2014 Many thanks for all your inputs! :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
squezzer Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 The color of MAGIC I was white, the MAGIC Il was light gray from the factory. It was delivered at the beginning of the 80's. You can find white front sections on grey rocket engine. They were made of guidance sections from MAGIC I and propellers from MAGIC ll. They were fired for training purpose until the beginning of the 21 st century As the Mirage F1 CR entered into service In 1983, it would carry grey MAGIC II. The early sidewinders were used by the Frenchs prior to the MAGIC. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
flybywire Posted January 29, 2014 Author Share Posted January 29, 2014 The color of MAGIC I was white, the MAGIC Il was light gray from the factory. It was delivered at the beginning of the 80's. You can find white front sections on grey rocket engine. They were made of guidance sections from MAGIC I and propellers from MAGIC ll. They were fired for training purpose until the beginning of the 21 st century As the Mirage F1 CR entered into service In 1983, it would carry grey MAGIC II. The early sidewinders were used by the Frenchs prior to the MAGIC. Many thanks for that info! :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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