IAF Nuclear capability during the Yom Kippur war?

[+dtmdragon 2,703]

Hi guys,

 

From what I have been able to research the Israeli air force was prepared to use nuclear weapons during the Yom Kippur war if it was necessary. However this is unconfirmed and somewhat debatable, but commonly accepted as fact (we won't get into that now).

 

My question is can anyone shed some more light on the situation in terms of what IAF aircraft were equipped to carry nuclear weapons and what type of nuclear weapons did Israel likely have at that time. This is so I can modify my Israeli aircraft to correctly carry them. From what I have found it was most likely the F-4 and a free fall device however Tom Clancy in his book Clear and present danger suggests it was the A-4 that was equipped to carry nuclear weapons?

 

Cheers,

 

Dan.

 

 

[Stingray72 6]

Yes, the A-4 was designed to carry a single nuclear weapon. That is the reason for the ridiculous height of the landing gear, it made the plane sit up high enough for this application, although any use of such a weapon would most probably result in the loss of pilot and plane as she was not all that fast.

 

~Stingray

[+aleks 9]

unofficial fonts say that in this specific period IDF had 3-4 f-4b's from us navy .f-4b's were capable to carry the early nuc series, in a role that us.navy has abbadoned in late 60's.it is never said if these special mission planes used idf or us navy markings or colours.of course, after the war it is more likely that the IDF acquired f-4e to substitude the b models

[Slartibartfast 153]

Yes, the A-4 was designed to carry a single nuclear weapon. That is the reason for the ridiculous height of the landing gear, it made the plane sit up high enough for this application, although any use of such a weapon would most probably result in the loss of pilot and plane as she was not all that fast.

 

~Stingray

 

With regard to the A-4 not being too fast... they are fast for a 1950's jet once they have released their weapons... and also the USN used the A-4's for Nuclear weapons delivery they had multiple release's as well. The one that was practised the most was Loft/Toss bombing coming out of the loft with an immelman so your already headed home at that point and as you loft the bomb the bomb can travel up to 6 miles give or take on release depending on various factors height of release etc... Also the reason she looks so long in the leg is because of the nukes as the F-9 Panthers in use at the time didn't have enough leg... to fit the nuke under without a set of folding fins on the nuke...

 

The Israeli's would most likely have used the A-4 and the F-4 the birds where setup to drop nukes from the begining... so it would make more sense...

[Stingray72 6]

Good info, thanks Slarti and Aleks!!

 

[mppd 16]

Israel never flew B or D model Phantoms, as some rumors have suggested.