Question about Italian Tornado F3 - which missiles?

[Areos]

Hello folks,

I know there are lots of Tornado specialists on this forum, so I'm sure I'll get my answers

I am currently building an Italeri Tornado F3 with Italian markings and have the following question:

Were the the Italian Tornado F3 fitted with Skyflash missiles and later with AMRAAM missiles? If yes, when did that change occur?

I've made a search on Internet but had difficulties to find pictures of Italian F3 with weapons, do you have any links ?

Thanks in advance for your answers

Nicolas

[Giorgio N]

The F.3 in Italian service was never upgraded for the Amraam and was never modified to employ the local Aspide missile.

The aircrafts were delivered together with a number of Skyflash missiles and these were the only long range weapons used on the type. The Skyflash missiles were leased in the same way that the aircraft were.

However there are rumours that the Skyflash was never used on the Italian machines even if it was officially adopted. I've heard different reasons for this but can't confirm any.

The story of the F.3 in italian service was not a happy one: the aircrafts were heavily criticised for the low reliability of the on-board systems and the incapability of providing the fast response needed for a country that had potential enemies very close to the borders. At some point they were used as awacs to guide the F-104s against potential targets, so combining the good radar of the F.3 and the speed of the F-104. The Aspide missile carried by the Starfghter was also considered superior to the Skyflash.

[Harrierpilot]

The IAF F3's only carried the Skyflash and the AIM-9M.

Out of the aircraft used by the IAF only 5 returned to RAF service the rest where RTS and scraped including the superb white Tiger.

One jet went to the IAF Museum.

Edited August 17, 2012 by Harrierpilot

[jynski]

I've got the decals for the White Tiger along with a Hobby Boss F.3 for a future project.

[Harrierpilot]

I've got the decals for the White Tiger along with a Hobby Boss F.3 for a future project.

Sweet