Skinny_Mike Posted January 17, 2023 Share Posted January 17, 2023 Hello all - Does anyone know what the typical weapons loads for navy F-4Ns were? Did they just fly fleet interceptor role so all Air to Air weapons or would there have been instances of air to ground? Maybe a training load out with inert air to ground weapons? I've had a hard time finding any definitive photos with any armament loaded. I have some decals for VF-84 F-4N that I was thinking of using on a Tamiya F-4N (converted from the F-4B). Don't know - thoughts? Thanks Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Memphis Posted January 17, 2023 Share Posted January 17, 2023 Version N did not take part in the hostilities, but carried out the protection of aircraft carriers from Soviet aircraft. 2-4 AIM-7 and 2-4 AIM-9, drop tanks under the wing or central. If you want to use bombs, it is possible to install practical bombs (TER) two rocket launchers (LAU-10, LAU-68, LAU-3). This is J or S. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Finn Posted January 17, 2023 Share Posted January 17, 2023 Here is a N with a load of inert bombs: although air to air was their main role, dropping bombs was secondary so they needed to practice that as well. Jari Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GeneK Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 Nice, Finn ... as usual. Gene K Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GW8345 Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 As FINN stated, aircrews had to maintain their qual's so you can load what you like and it would still be an accurate load. For normal day to day flying, while deployed, I would think two Sparrows on the aft stations and two Sidewinders on the outboard stations and a centerline tank would be a normal load out while out trolling around the Med. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Skinny_Mike Posted May 15, 2023 Author Share Posted May 15, 2023 Thanks for the help all. I think I’ll go with the air to air options. mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Skinny_Mike Posted June 21, 2023 Author Share Posted June 21, 2023 Hello everyone- getting ready to move forward on this project and I had a quick follow up about the missile versions. Would the aim-9g/h and aim-7e be appropriate for an the f-4n? thanks in advance! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SCOUT712 Posted June 21, 2023 Share Posted June 21, 2023 (edited) I guess you'd have to check the timeframe of your N and if the desired squadron was deployed onto a carrier at that time. If so, AA missiles would be loaded onto alert birds. For sure, VMFA-323 and 531 carried AIM-7E-2 in the rearward missile wells and AIM-9L plus G (H?) at the same time under the wings (one rail each with the L the other rail carrying the G) when they were sitting alert for OP Eagle Claw in 1980. B/r Michael Edited June 21, 2023 by SCOUT712 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Skinny_Mike Posted June 22, 2023 Author Share Posted June 22, 2023 Thanks Scout. I’ll be doing a vf-84 aircraft, so timeframe would be pre 1976, if that helps. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SCOUT712 Posted June 23, 2023 Share Posted June 23, 2023 Hello Mike, to cite the excellent book US NAVY Carrier Air Wing Aircraft 1975-2015 Vol. 1 by Mike Crutch At the start of 1975, the final F-4Ns to serve with frontline LANTFLT squadrons resided within CVW-6. They deployed for the last time on 3 January for a Sixth Fleet cruise in USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42, which was re-designated CV-42 on 1 July). After a typical round of exercises throughout the Mediterranean, ‘Rosie’ came about and passed back into the Atlantic on 6 July. The Phantom IIs of VF-41 Black Aces (tactical callsign FAST EAGLE) and VF-84 Jolly Rogers (tactical callsign VICTORY) left the ship as it neared Norfolk twelve days later, the ship docking there the next day to offload the air wing personnel before heading to her homeport of Mayport on 20 July. Both Phantom II squadrons detached from the air wing itself on 27 July to the control of Fighter Wing One as they prepared for Tomcat conversion with VF-101 at Oceana. F-4Ns of both squadrons, however, continued to operate until March (VF-84) and April (VF-41) of 1976, both still wearing CVW-6’s tailcodes. As a result, they adopted MODEXes in the AE-x20/x30 ranges to distinguish themselves from their replacements in the air wing. So, if your model is from that cruise`s timeframe I`d say its a pretty sure bet that it can carry AIM-7E2 in the rear wells and AIM-9G/H (they look the same) under the wings. If it is post cruise, nothing except maybe an AIM-9 acquisition round or a few MK-36 blue death on a TER. Unfortunately pics with VF-84 F-4N's with weapons are very rare. There is just one from the 1975 cruisebook which shows a singe "Winder" under the left wing. Maybe the Navy was a bit short on money after the end of the war in Vietnam and buying new super expensive Tomcats, therefore restricting flying with life missiles. After all they have a certain useful live after being unpacked. When the clock is up they will have to be expended. B/r Michael Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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