Hello,
I found this picture of an F-8E of the French Navy with dual Sidewinder hardpoints. I can’t tell what Sidewinders specifically, it looks like AIM-9L but it might also be AIM-9D.
What missile is this? Is there more information on if these missiles were more widely used?
I don’t know if they are AIM-9Ds, however I can assure you that they are not AIM-9Ls because France never use them.
That seeker looks AIM-9D/G/H.
AIM-9L/M has double-delta control surfaces.
The top one is an AIM-9D type I can tell that much. The bottom one has weird angles so I can’t tell if it had the front canards of the 9L but as Mathll says it can’t be.
Either it has a cover and is also an AIM-9D, or it’s an AIM-9B(?) painted weird
Yeah I know about the double-delta, its just that when I first saw this picture the angle of the bottom missile made it look like it had that.
this picture gives :
1 live AIM-9B - really used in French Service
and
1 trainning AIM-9D which was trialed but later refused in favor of R.530E and R.530 Missiles
no AIM-9D/G/H/L/M ever existed in with French Forces, be it Naval or Aerial
as the later Magic R.550-1 the -2 would become the counter part
Unfortunately the AIM-9D was only used in trials, I would love for them to replace the stock AIM-9Bs though that’s a sufferbus
Top looks like an AIM-9D/G/H and the bottom looks like an AIM-9C due to its rounder head.
The FN’s radar was incapable of guiding the 9C, it’s a 9B
The top one is a CATM-9D → not a live one.
France never bought those.
