SM79 wrote:
6- When Impalas bounced Mi-8 and 24s, they did not use V3B... so the question: in 1985 the Impalas have not yet the AAMs with them? Or they weren't reliable? Or the range was in excess for an AAM armed Impala?
7- How many Impala Mk 2 were really retrofitted with AAMs, in pratical terms? I do know that every Macchi 326K had the provision for AAM (Magic 1), but the 'pratical' warload is not the same thing anyway. Especially as the Impalas Mk 2 were a bit underpowered (Viper Mk 540 vs Mk 600, -700 lbs/f) and a bit too slow (the 420 kt max speed is around -50 compared to the standard MB.326K). This should be interesting, as it's stated that an Impala Mk 2 cannot go with 6x Mk 82s and full fuel load, while the Macchi 326K could do it (but not by a great margin, let's say they could load 4xMk 82s and 2x 550 Magic).
Thank you for the attention.
During the Helicopter Shoot-Down Operation, the
Impala Mk-2's had not yet been capable;e of the V-3 fit, and the tactics agreed-upon for the engagements even during practice, was to employ the 30mm cannon. The results speak for itself.
Not all Mk2's received the BRENDA modification, therefore not all were capable of carrying the V-3B (the SAAF did not use Magic 1's on the
Impala). Only a few aircraft were modified, IIRC when I was at 85 Combat FS, we only had a couple of BRENDA aircraft. During the mid-90's the BRENDA aircraft were also modified to use the V3C trainer missiles.