Yet another arcane F-4 question: AIM-9 rail color

[John1]

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?

[James Rademaker]

It is my understanding that the launch rails would be the same color as the two inboard pylons. ( Camouflage Grey).

Jim

[Finn]

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

[James Rademaker]

I stand corrected. 
Thanks,

Jim

[easixpedro]

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]

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

[Finn]

Another thing, note the difference in markings of the AIM9Es, especially the yellow warhead stripes:

 

 

Jari

[John1]

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. 

[Finn]

Not much of a close up:

 

Jari

 

[Finn]

A pair on a Thud but some smudges on them from handling:

 

 

a view of the seeker:

 

 

Jari

[Finn]

One more:

 

 

note the covers on the noses of the Sidewinders.

 

Jari

[John1]

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

[John1]

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

[Finn]

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

[Finn]

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