MrZebra Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 (edited) Hello all, I am modelling an early F-15A and was wondering the position for AIM-9s on the early wing launchers (LAU-114). I would like some photos if possible. Also any references for which Sidewinder variants are compatible with the LAU-114 on the 15A would be useful to me as well. Thanks, Zebra Edited June 24, 2022 by MrZebra Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Finn Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 You can zoom in on this photo: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6343011 AIM-9L/M would be the common one for the early Eagle. Jari Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MrZebra Posted June 25, 2022 Author Share Posted June 25, 2022 Do you have any from the early 70s? I see that that photo is dated 1982 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Murph Posted June 26, 2022 Share Posted June 26, 2022 F-15As initially carried the AIM-9P and then the AIM-9L. Regards, Murph Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Quixote74 Posted June 28, 2022 Share Posted June 28, 2022 On 6/26/2022 at 12:11 PM, Murph said: F-15As initially carried the AIM-9P and then the AIM-9L. Regards, Murph If I'm not mistaken, as implied by the suffix letters it was actually the AIM-9J that was used by the very early F-15s, quickly supplanted in the late 70s by the AIM-9L as the first "all aspect" Sidewinder (i.e. able to lock on a target from the front, not just the exhaust). The AIM-9J and later AIM-9N and P variants are virtually identical as far as modelers are concerned, so easy to mix those up! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Crash Test Dummy Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 (edited) On 6/28/2022 at 9:11 AM, Quixote74 said: If I'm not mistaken, as implied by the suffix letters it was actually the AIM-9J that was used by the very early F-15s, quickly supplanted in the late 70s by the AIM-9L as the first "all aspect" Sidewinder (i.e. able to lock on a target from the front, not just the exhaust). I'm pretty sure @Murphflew them, so I'd take his word for it. I ran across a copy of the flight manual rom '84 tonight and it had AIM-9P variants in it's loading chart but no earlier versions. Having said that, here's an AIM-9E from the test program: And to get really archaic, live firing a Falcon. Edited June 30, 2022 by Crash Test Dummy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Quixote74 Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 14 minutes ago, Crash Test Dummy said: I'm pretty sure @Murphflew them, so I'd take his word for it. I ran across a copy of the flight manual rom '84 tonight and it had AIM-9P variants in it's loading chart but no earlier versions. Having said that, here's an AIM-9E from the test program: And to get really archaic, live firing a Falcon. As I began the post, I could be mistaken. But the alphabet and the USAF seem to agree with me: https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104557/aim-9-sidewinder/ (The linked article notes the Juliet model entering service in 1977, which suggests the E would have been standard equipment for the As in early service.) That Falcon shot is intriguing on several levels: it's clearly not an early test, since the airframe shown is wearing Mod Eagle (not in use before the early 90s) and that plus the ET tailcode date it much later than any preliminary tests even for the C/D. Even for a foreign user it's peculiar, AFAIK Japan is the only foreign Eagle operator that ever had Falcons in their inventory (and those were different variants and only on Phantoms early in JASDF service). My suspicion is it's a Falcon airframe being used in tests for a new seeker or other test component (e.g. AIM-9X development). Any info/backstory on this, or will I have to test my Google-fu? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Crash Test Dummy Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 @Quixote74 What I've read on AIM-9 history puts the AIM-9J seeing combat in Vietnam in '73. http://www.ausairpower.net/TE-Sidewinder-94.html Quote The follow-on version to the AIM-9E was the AIM-9J, which was rushed into the SEA theatre in July, 1972. The Juliet model saw incremental improvements to the AIM-9E design, with hybrid electronics using a mix of solid state and tube technology, and an improved control system using a longer burning gas generator for a 40 sec flight time, and more powerful actuators delivering 90 lb.ft torque to the canards. 6,700 of this subtype were eventually built or rebuilt from AIM-9Bs. In 1973, Ford began production of an enhanced AIM-9J-1, later redesignated the AIM-9N. The November model employed a similar configuration to the Juliet, but the three main printed circuit boards were substantially redesigned to improve seeker performance. Close to 7,000 of this version were built. The Hercules-Aerojet Mk.17 rocket motor was retained. https://thecombatworkshop.blogspot.com/2017/10/sidewinder-overview-part-iv-aim-9jnp.html AIM-9Js on an F-4D photo listed as Udorn Thailand which would put it no later than 1973 Also likely to be during Vietnam in 1973 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichB63 Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 Hi Zebra, The LAU-114 Launcher/ADU-407 Adapter configuration appears to have remained unchanged from the mid 1970s through the early 1990s on F-15A, B, C and D models, although apparently early on the Aero-3B Launcher was used too. These drawings might be helpful.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichB63 Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 (edited) Some museum examples of Eagles still fitted with the LAU-114/ADU-407 combination… Edited June 30, 2022 by RichB63 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichB63 Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 (edited) Close-ups of (Inert) AIM-9J installation. Note folding section on launcher… Edited June 30, 2022 by RichB63 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Quixote74 Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 Found the answer to the Falcon mystery - surprisingly right here at ARC 😄 http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Stories1/001-100/0015_F-15_AIM4/story0015.htm Short version: early 90s test for a warning system on the C-141. The AIM-4 (surplus and obsolete) was fired at the Starlifter outside its range to test the new syatem's ability to detect the incoming missile. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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