Rob de Bie Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 (edited) I've been researching the stores of the Dutch F-84F for some time now. One of the stores is a simple rack for four practice bombs, as shown here in model form: For a photo of the real thing, see here: https://nimh-beeldbank.defensie.nl/foto-s/detail/384196c4-3f79-d5d2-fd09-70a96f5ab022/media/941f5ea7-be93-55da-6c5f-37f05a13188a It's a bit of a mystery store, that had multiple names in RNLAF documents: Mk 25 R-3 Mk 7 carrier LABS rack LABS adapter A few days ago, I found something interesting in this photo. Almost in the middle there's a stencil reading 'R 3 frag rack door': On the internet, the oldest reference to the 'R-3 frag rack' is in the context of the F-86A, where it is mentioned as the 'R-3 fragmentation bomb rack'. I also found an 'R-1 rack' and an 'R-2 rack', without aircraft types mentioned. My preliminary conclusion is that the F-84F practice bomb rack started life as a fragmentation bomb rack. Now for my question. I haven't found photos showing this rack installed on an F-86. Does anyone know of any? Also, maybe it's mentioned in the Flight Manual or a Tech Order? All snippets of information are welcome! Rob Edited November 10, 2022 by Rob de Bie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 I may do. I have an early F-86A Parts Catalog which may show it. Possibly photos too. Will get back to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 Incidentally while I'm looking, I have seen those racks on JASDF F-86Fs, so that is a definite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 The only instance of 'frag' bombs fitted to the Sabre was a box-like pod, which NAA just referred to as a 'parafragmentation bomb rack'. It was fitted to the P-51-style bomb rack, which in fact was itself a 151-numbered rack designed specifically for the F-86A. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob de Bie Posted November 10, 2022 Author Share Posted November 10, 2022 30 minutes ago, Sabrejet said: I may do. I have an early F-86A Parts Catalog which may show it. Possibly photos too. Will get back to you. A big thanks in advance! Rob 29 minutes ago, Sabrejet said: Incidentally while I'm looking, I have seen those racks on JASDF F-86Fs, so that is a definite. Ah, very interesting. I did a Google Images search, but could not find one quickly. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob de Bie Posted November 10, 2022 Author Share Posted November 10, 2022 10 minutes ago, Sabrejet said: The only instance of 'frag' bombs fitted to the Sabre was a box-like pod, which NAA just referred to as a 'parafragmentation bomb rack'. It was fitted to the P-51-style bomb rack, which in fact was itself a 151-numbered rack designed specifically for the F-86A. Could that be the R-2 rack, instead of the R-3? The R-2 is listed as 'parachute fragmentation bomb rack', the R-1 and R-3 as 'fragmentation bomb rack'. For example here: https://books.google.nl/books?id=WYrfAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA15&dq=%22fragmentation+bomb+rack%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiQ1ZbU7qP7AhUD76QKHbONCPgQ6AF6BAgEEAI#v=onepage&q=%22fragmentation%20bomb%20rack%22&f=false The same listing can be found in other publications, but none offers more information. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 Possibly on the bomb rack. But this is the one you are looking for: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob de Bie Posted November 11, 2022 Author Share Posted November 11, 2022 20 hours ago, Sabrejet said: Possibly on the bomb rack. But this is the one you are looking for: Thanks, great find!! I had seen the designation AF/B37K before, I believe in a Bronco manual. But I don't understand how that designation fits in the USAF naming conventions. If you might come across the 'R-3' designation in maybe an F-86A manual, please let me know! Rob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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