[simpits-tech] AIM 9 upload

[Gene Buckle]

> >You know Rod, I've NEVER seen an AIM9 seeker head that looked like
> >that.  Is the subject a very early variant?
> Not sure of the vintage. We used them on Mirages (1960's to 80's) and I'm 
> sure I've seen them fitted to Sabres :-) The seeker head is a glass dome 
> with some sort of device inside that spins around - very similar to the 
> spinning device in those barcode readers that mount on the counter top in 
> some stores. Our "gunnies" used to wave a torch in front of the seeker 
> during preflight checks so the pilot could check the tone.
> You can see "1/75" stencilled on the head, I thought it was manufacture 
> date but could also be last service date.

Well regardless, they're very cool. :)  I recall seeing a show on PBS
years ago that showed an AIM9 sitting on a bench cradle.  The missile was
powered up and they gave a demonstration of the seeker head.  The
demonstrator lit a match and as he approached the field of view of the
head, the control surfaces moved to try to track the match.  He then
walked out of the room and the the seeker head was able to track the
movement of the match through the wall.  It was a trip to see this guy on
 one side of the wall waving this match around while the missile was
trying to move to keep up with it.  Very impressive.

g.