Murph Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 Any idea what designation was of the rocket pods that the Draken carried in Danish service? The pictures I've come across show them typically painted white and fitted with a rounded cover on the front end. Regards, Murph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orso Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 My books say LAU3/A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted March 6, 2019 Author Share Posted March 6, 2019 That was my thought, but they appear to have a tapered shroud on the aft end, which most LAU-3/As did not have. Regards, Murph 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orso Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 I have noticed that to but when I'm searching for LAU-3/A both types come up. It looks like the ones that are pointed at both ends is found in older pictures like Vietnam war and the ones on the Draken in later pictures. It would be interesting to know as I have some Danish Draken's to build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selwyn Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 I think that using the frangible dome on both the front and rear of the pod was the original idea as the LAU3/A was designed to be a cheap and cheerful disposable one shot pod, the 19 rocket tubes being basically varnished cardboard surrounded by expanded foam with the whole pod clad in (very) thin aluminium! On operations The premise was that the pod would ripple fire out all 19 rockets and then the empty pod would be jettisoned off the aircraft pylon on the last firing pulse, thus eliminating draggy empty pod carriage problems for the returning aircraft. They then discovered that the LAU 3/A could be refilled with rockets so the last firing pulse was inhibited, and the empty pod now came back with the aircraft. It then would be inspected, any damaged tubes found were blanked off, and the pod refilled for the next mission. (There was a limit to how many damaged tubes were permitted before the pod was scrapped i can't quite remember but the number 6 rings a bell). I think the rear fairing "skirt" was introduced when they started to bring back the empties to reduce the drag of the pods. When I was involved with these pods (1990's) I never ever saw one with a rear dome fitted. Selwyn 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creepy Pete Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 You can get the LAU-3's with the tapered rear fairing from Kasl in 1/48. https://www.bnamodelworld.com/parts-decals-for-aircraft-1:48-kasl-hobby-kasl-k48036?zenid=227fe9e4b0f6dbb68c4ec1099779364b 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 Another reason for the tapered aft fairing was to deflect the rocket blast away from any a/c parts, especially pylons also it came in handy having an opening when setting the switches rather than pulling the fairing off: One thing to note is not all users re-used the LAU-3 pods, i loaded several and they rarely ever came back as they were punched off after the rockets were fired, even when we switched to the LAU-5003 pods and the only time they came back if there was a hung rocket or when we were short of jettison cartridges, the pods were still scrapped. Jari 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted March 7, 2019 Author Share Posted March 7, 2019 14 hours ago, Creepy Pete said: You can get the LAU-3's with the tapered rear fairing from Kasl in 1/48. https://www.bnamodelworld.com/parts-decals-for-aircraft-1:48-kasl-hobby-kasl-k48036?zenid=227fe9e4b0f6dbb68c4ec1099779364b What is this 1/48th scale of which you speak? While we're at it, does anybody have a clear picture of the adapter the Danes used when mounting an AIM-9 rail? It appears to be close to what the Swedes used. I've seen museum examples of the rail mounted directly to the pylon, but I don't have a lot of faith in them being accurate. Regards, Murph 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julien Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 3 minutes ago, Murph said: What is this 1/48th scale of which you speak? While we're at it, does anybody have a clear picture of the adapter the Danes used when mounting an AIM-9 rail? It appears to be close to what the Swedes used. I've seen museum examples of the rail mounted directly to the pylon, but I don't have a lot of faith in them being accurate. Regards, Murph Is this any good? It is always worth checking out our walkarounds; Julien 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jens Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 2 hours ago, Julien said: Is this any good? It is always worth checking out our walkarounds; Julien No, don't use this incorrect Sidewinder load-out as reference. Neither the launcher or the adapter was used on the Draken. As for the rocket pod it's an LAU-5003 (externally identical to the LAU-3). Jens 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tempestfan Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 (edited) 7 hours ago, Murph said: What is this 1/48th scale of which you speak? While we're at it, does anybody have a clear picture of the adapter the Danes used when mounting an AIM-9 rail? A 1.5 Times lifesize gentleman... Have you checked the Aerofax re the adapter? Edited March 7, 2019 by tempestfan Autofalsification... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted March 8, 2019 Author Share Posted March 8, 2019 (edited) 11 hours ago, Julien said: Is this any good? It is always worth checking out our walkarounds; Julien Julien, That was one of the first places I looked, but then I saw an AIM-9D/G/H mounted on the Danish Draken, so I stopped using it for accurate weapons load reference purposes. Regards, Murph Edited March 8, 2019 by Murph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selwyn Posted March 8, 2019 Share Posted March 8, 2019 10 hours ago, Murph said: Julien, That was one of the first places I looked, but then I saw an AIM-9D/G/H mounted on the Danish Draken, so I stopped using it for accurate weapons load reference purposes. Regards, Murph The rocket pod fitted to the Danish Draken at Newark is a British Matra 155 not a LAU3A. Selwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted March 8, 2019 Author Share Posted March 8, 2019 On 3/7/2019 at 10:05 AM, Jens said: No, don't use this incorrect Sidewinder load-out as reference. Neither the launcher or the adapter was used on the Draken. As for the rocket pod it's an LAU-5003 (externally identical to the LAU-3). Jens Jens, What type of AIM-9 rail did they use? Since they were carrying the AIM-9B or AIM-9J, I assume it would a USAF type rail. Regards, Murph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jens Posted March 9, 2019 Share Posted March 9, 2019 The rail used was a square type. These three pictures show the correct launcher, its adapter and also the right placement under the wing. FWIW, the Draken displayed in the aviation museum in Stauning here in Denmark is not this one, AR-109, with a correct weapons load. Jens 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted March 10, 2019 Author Share Posted March 10, 2019 Jens, Outstanding pictures, thank you very much! Those look like the LAU-105 rails originally used on the F-15 and on the A-10. I've never seen those rocket tubes on the inboard pylon before. Regards, Murph 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 Murph here is the Flight Manual for the Draken: http://www.avialogs.com/index.php/en/aircraft/sweden/saab/j-35draken/hflv-685-121-flight-manual-f-rf-tf-35-draken.html in it mention is made of the AIM-9B and AIM-9N-2 as the missiles. Jari 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted March 10, 2019 Author Share Posted March 10, 2019 (edited) 8 hours ago, Finn said: Murph here is the Flight Manual for the Draken: http://www.avialogs.com/index.php/en/aircraft/sweden/saab/j-35draken/hflv-685-121-flight-manual-f-rf-tf-35-draken.html in it mention is made of the AIM-9B and AIM-9N-2 as the missiles. Jari Jari, Thank you very much. Some interesting information in there; it lists the Mk-20 CBU, which I didn't know they used. Regards, Murph Edited March 10, 2019 by Murph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now