Originally Posted by
Bombhead59
I noticed on one of the films the navy Phantoms were flying without the blue ballast sparrow missiles which in my experience were always fitted if they weren't carrying live missiles - anyone know why?
They weren't actually needed. As a phormer Phantom Phixer ...
IIRC the use of ballast missiles was to maintain C of G within limits, if fuel was in #7 tank. Ergo if #7 tank not used, ballast missiles not used. IIRC RAF removed functionality of #7 tank on some jets, it was still there but plumbing blanked off, after someone did something silly and forgot they didn't have ballast, and attempted aerobatics or something with a full #7 tank and aft cg.
Thereafter use of ballast missiles became a precaution rather than necessity.
Ttfn