hey folks
Ive used the downloads for a while, but this is the first time I have posted.
The ALARM fit was a trial carried out by 6 aircraft , and it wasnt a fleet wide fit, this was around 2003, the F3 would have made a very effective wild weasel platform, but from what I know of gulf ops, the preffered method for dealing with SAM sites is a paveway or JDAMs as this provides positive evidence the site has been destroyed. I had a few intersting chats with the avionics techies and they said that the jets internal ESM fit was better than that which was fitted to the german Tornado ECRs.
The F3 could carry in weight terms the same load as the GR1s, and in the early 80s BAE offered a multi role F3 to the Japanese, it would have shoulder pylons and be wired to carry any of the then current GR1 weapons (Sea Eagle, JP233 ect) and carried an intregal laser designator ect.
The F3 was a good stand off interceptor, and people tend to forget that the jet is no dogfighter, in DACM with RAF Hawks the jockeys opinion was that you put the nose down and run away fast then turn and take another BVR shot. The F3 was very poor above 25k feet, the engines took a long time to respond , the other ceiling limiting factor was after flight above 27k feet the radars would have problems caused by moisture, the avionics techies loathed high altitude flying. The Radar was the worst part of the F3 to be honest it would forever breakdown and lots of sorties were lost becuse of it, the latest radar is only know coming up to the brouchoure hype of the late 80s, the F3s best assetts know is its JTIDS and its AMRAAMs the JTIDS has kept the F3 relevant in exercises, even against aircraft like the F16AMs and the such like, AMRAAMs just compliment the JTIDS and increase the chances of the F3 living to fight another day.
Standard load out for the F3 during Telic in 2003 , was a Towed Radar Decoy Pod under one outboard pylon, a BOZ pod under the other, 4 Asraams 4 Skyflash and 160 rounds in the gun, chaff was also fitted in the inboard ASRAAM launchers and flares were mounted under the jet pipes.
hope this is off interest
P.s
Am loving the F3 model that is being created, especially the squadron markings!