John1 Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 Just wondering - would the AIM-9 launcher rails on an AF Phantom in SEA scheme have a glossy white finish like the TERs and MERs or the standard underside camo color of flat white-grey? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Rademaker Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 It is my understanding that the launch rails would be the same color as the two inboard pylons. ( Camouflage Grey). Jim John1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 (edited) Here is a F-4E with missiles: the AIM-9s are white, the launchers look white compared to the pylon. edit: here is a top view which has the rails looking like grey: The entire video is here: https://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675043092_366th-Fighter-Wing_Da-Nang-Air-Base_F-4E-Phantom-II_pilots-prepare-to-take-off the missile views start at the 4:05 mark. Jari Edited June 30, 2022 by Finn John1 and Martinnfb 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Rademaker Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 I stand corrected. Thanks, Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easixpedro Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 I was thinking about this last night. The rails are a common item--so are the pylons. While the AF style pylons came later and would have been painted gray, the rails could certainly be white from an earlier delivery batch. Very common for maintenance troops to rob parts to meet the flight schedule, which in 67, they most certainly were doing. Use some artistic license and do 1 or 2 gray and the others white. I've seen plenty of USN Phantoms without them mounted on certain sides, largely driven by the availability of the rails, missiles and loadout. -Peter John1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John1 Posted July 1, 2022 Author Share Posted July 1, 2022 (edited) 22 hours ago, easixpedro said: I was thinking about this last night. The rails are a common item--so are the pylons. While the AF style pylons came later and would have been painted gray, the rails could certainly be white from an earlier delivery batch. Very common for maintenance troops to rob parts to meet the flight schedule, which in 67, they most certainly were doing. Use some artistic license and do 1 or 2 gray and the others white. I've seen plenty of USN Phantoms without them mounted on certain sides, largely driven by the availability of the rails, missiles and loadout. -Peter Sounds like sage advice. Only going to have two rails though. They were on the pylon with an ECM pod underneath. The other inner pylon was “rail-less” with just a TER with a M117 hanging off it. Edited July 1, 2022 by John1 easixpedro 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn Posted July 1, 2022 Share Posted July 1, 2022 Another thing, note the difference in markings of the AIM9Es, especially the yellow warhead stripes: Jari Martinnfb and John1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John1 Posted July 1, 2022 Author Share Posted July 1, 2022 Hey Jari, Not to go OT on this thread... well actually, it's my thread so I think I will - Speaking of AIM-9 colors, my build will have AIM-9B's (using the Brassin missiles). Any good quality color pics of operational B's are always appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn Posted July 1, 2022 Share Posted July 1, 2022 Not much of a close up: Jari John1 and Martinnfb 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn Posted July 1, 2022 Share Posted July 1, 2022 A pair on a Thud but some smudges on them from handling: a view of the seeker: Jari thierry laurent, easixpedro and John1 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn Posted July 1, 2022 Share Posted July 1, 2022 One more: note the covers on the noses of the Sidewinders. Jari John1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John1 Posted July 2, 2022 Author Share Posted July 2, 2022 While doing a bit of googling, I came upon this very interesting article about the F-4's inner wing pylon. In case anyone is interested... The Phantom Phacts: THE F-4 INBOARD PYLONS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John1 Posted July 26, 2022 Author Share Posted July 26, 2022 I've got one last question on F-4 Sidewinder rails (I promise). Just saw some info and a picture of an early F-4C with an early Sidewinder rail configuration. In this case, the rails didn't have the "spacers" that moved them a few inches outboard of the pylon (designed so that the AF jets could carry the missiles along with air to ground loads on the pylon). Instead, these early rails were mounted directly to the pylon (and angled slightly downwards). I've been googling to find some detailed pictures so I can modify my Tamiya rails but so far, no luck. Any help on this would be much appreciated. Regards, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn Posted July 26, 2022 Share Posted July 26, 2022 John here is rear view of AIM-9s on the pylon, note how close the tail fins were to the pylon if they were not angled down, not to mention spacers: i'll look to se if i can find some more phots. Jari John1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn Posted July 26, 2022 Share Posted July 26, 2022 Don't mean to hijack this thread but here is a "nice looking" F-4: http://greatwarhawknation.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/swendnerinfrontofjet.jpg Jari John1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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