F-14A A2A weapons

[Skinny_Mike]

Hey all! Looking to build an F-14A from either 1977 or 1983 depending on the decals I use. Does anyone know what version of the AIM-9 and AIM-7 were active at those times?

 

Thanks!

Mike

[JNordgren42]

Here is my understanding, and I could certainly be wrong:

For the Sidewinders '77 could be AIM-9D or L, it may be squadron/air wing dependent or even mission dependent. I'd say more likely L though. '83 is probably AIM-9L, but might be AIM-9M, again that may be dependent on the exact unit you're modeling. And unless you're modeling in large scale, it will be difficult to physically tell the difference between an L or M, and will mostly boil down to slight color variations (which also had some differences between blocks and upgrades).

 

For Sparrows, it would probably be an AIM-7F in either time frame. Although physical differences between the E/F/M are pretty minor, from what I understand.

Your best bet is to see if you can find any photo references of the aircraft you want to model.

[Skinny_Mike]

Cool!

thanks for the help! I have been scouring the photos from that time and it’s been hard to find anything definitive. Appreciate the help

[GW8345]

For 1977 the F-14 would be armed with either the AIM-7E-4 Sparrow and the AIM-9G or the AIM-7F Sparrow and the AIM-9L, just depends on what the ship had since the AIM-7F and AIM-9L were both coming into service in 1977 and the AIM-7E-4 and AIM-9G were the stable A/A missiles for the USN.

 

For 1983 the F-14 would be armed with the AIM-7M and AIM-9M.

 

hth

GW

[Skinny_Mike]

Thanks GW - that’s helpful