Fly-n-hi Posted August 11, 2015 Share Posted August 11, 2015 What model of AIM-7 Sparrow would the F-15Cs have carried in Bitburg around 1982-83? Appreciate it! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted August 11, 2015 Share Posted August 11, 2015 The AIM-7F entered service in 1976, and the AIM-7M in 1982. I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if NATO units got the upgraded missiles first, given that they were the sharp end of the stick facing the USSR. I'm not sure there was much external difference in any event. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fly-n-hi Posted August 11, 2015 Author Share Posted August 11, 2015 The AIM-7F entered service in 1976, and the AIM-7M in 1982. I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if NATO units got the upgraded missiles first, given that they were the sharp end of the stick facing the USSR. I'm not sure there was much external difference in any event. Thanks! Thats pretty much what I read when I was looking for answers..that it was the transition period from the F to the M. It does make sense that the front line squadrons would get the better equipment first so its probably a safe bet to put some -Ms on the one I'm building. What about the colors? Would they be white or grey in 1982? Were the -Ms always grey? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted August 11, 2015 Share Posted August 11, 2015 I know by the time I got to Elmendorf in 1984 the AIM-7s were all grey. I never saw a white one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fly-n-hi Posted August 11, 2015 Author Share Posted August 11, 2015 Good to know. Thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mrvark Posted August 11, 2015 Share Posted August 11, 2015 36375 gray Visually, the easiest way to tell the two apart was that the F had two target detecting device (TDD) 'strips' along the side of the front of the missile aligned between the wings while the M had four aligned with the wings. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fly-n-hi Posted August 11, 2015 Author Share Posted August 11, 2015 36375 gray Visually, the easiest way to tell the two apart was that the F had two target detecting device (TDD) 'strips' along the side of the front of the missile aligned between the wings while the M had four aligned with the wings. Thanks!I'm actually up to speed on the differences I'm just not totally sure which ones the '82-'83 Bitburg F-15s would have carried. Probably the -Ms but not certain. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Murph Posted August 11, 2015 Share Posted August 11, 2015 (edited) It could have been either missile type. As Jennings pointed out USAFE typically had first dibs on the new toys at the time. One thing to keep in mind is that U.S. missiles were transitioning from white to Light Ghost Gray in the early 80s. As a rule, the AIM-7M would be overall gray since it entered service in '82, but the AIM-7F and AIM-9L/M could be all gray, all white, or a mix of the two colors. Link to AIM-9 with different color sections. Regards, Murph Edited August 11, 2015 by Murph Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fly-n-hi Posted August 12, 2015 Author Share Posted August 12, 2015 Thanks Murph! Do you happen to know what a typical load out would be for the jets that were armed? 4 AIM-9s and 4 AIM-7s? 2 and 2? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Murph Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 (edited) Thanks Murph! Do you happen to know what a typical load out would be for the jets that were armed? 4 AIM-9s and 4 AIM-7s? 2 and 2? In that timeframe Zulu Alert at Bitburg (and Soesterburg) was configured with 4 AIM-7, 4 AIM-9, a live gun, and a centerline tank. If the kit has them, this predated the chaff/flare dispensers, so fill those in. Regards, Murph Edited August 12, 2015 by Murph Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 In Alaska they used 4 of each plus three gas bags on alert birds due to the great distances involved. Not sure about Europe. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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