Global Scale Modeller

Not sure where to put this, so hopefully here is OK

I'm hoping someone can explain to me why kits often provide missiles both with fins and without? What's the purpose of the finless version? Google has been useless at giving me any info, but I know there are a few servicemen on here who might know!

Can you provide a photo Rob??

They might be practise missiles? Or used for data collection?

Would need to see pictures or know which airplanes you're referring to. Most likely they're training munitions or stuff like a FLIR pod which can have a very missile look to it.

Here's a photo. There's the option of using the R-73E with fins or without on the Mig-29.

They are usually aquisition rounds if they have no fins. They have no rocket motor or warhead but the seeker head works so that the crew can get a lock on during air to air combat training. Telemetry stores don't have fins either and some ECM pods can look like missiles but if it's an actual missile without fins it will almost certainly be an aqui round. The only other type of finless missile store is one used for weight and balance. The Uk F4 used to carry two concrete Sparrows on the two front stations. They were painted blue and were finless. These were purely to keep the aircraft cig in limits in certain configurations.

If I remember rightly if you had No 7 fuel tank in use which is the most rearward fuselage tank the a/c would sit on its backside if you didn't have the concrete Sparrows fitted when the a/c was in clean fit. When we used to send them up to Holme on Spalding Moor for mods they went up clean so the No7 tank breaker had to be pulled to stop that tank from filling.

Thanks so much, Dave. That makes a lot of sense!

IMHO, looks more like an air to ground 122mm Russian Zuni rocket. These were S series and used to crater runways.