I believe they are still owned by the RAFor MOD and used for ground training aids.

Yes they are still MoD owned. The Spotty Jag (XX119) and the Pink one are used as aircraft handling/marshalling trainers to avoid too much damage to the paintwork. Pity to see the nose art on the pink one has gone, but not surprised, it was very un-PC. Spotty Jag scheme was designed by a guy who was born in Bishops Stortford AKA Canopener Al.

Concur, No cruise or another type of missile.

Found this site that lists a number of the gliders that took part in Op Tonga, including the 6 in the Coup de main assult on the bridges.

I read somewhere that there was a plan to build an airworthy Horsa replica for ‘The Longest Day’, that fell though due to the aviation authorities saying no to it being allowed to fly. On another (bit off topic) note, does anybody happen to know what mark of Horsa was used on the Peagus bridge op on D-day and the serials of the aircraft (any details about the Halifax tugs would be helpful as well).

Considering the numbers fired in comparison to AMRAAM the Sparrow has quite a good record. Even the bad rap that it got during Vietnam was slightly unfair as the weapon accounted for a significant number of the total kills by US fighters and many of the issues were due to bad training, handling and maintenance. For example the USN earlier on during the war would constantly bolt the same weapons back on the wings regardless of launches and traps without significant maintenance. The AIM-7 required detailed and careful maintenance before and after each mission which wasn’t happening, once this had been picked up the ground crews given better training in the weapon system then things got better.

That was the biggest problem with the early Sparrow’s valve driven electronics, the fact that they have to have lots maintenance or they don’t work as designed. Plus the fact that the RoE made most engagement’s happen within its effective minimum range. Sky Flash and the 7M didn’t have those problems.

There are also advantages to non active missiles like Sparrow and Skyflash, with fire and forget systems like AMRAAM there is a risk that they will home on the wrong target once they go active.

Same problem as an IR missile at short range, however that is why the AMRAAM has the data link, so that it can be looking in the right place when the seeker goes active. That is of course if you remember to fit the data link to your Tornado F3, opps. To be honest, the fire and forget system in the AMRAAM does give you options in how you plan your engagement, which in employing a SARH weapon you do not have.

Read somewhere that AIM-7M SSKP was about 33% in GW1. AIM-120 record was very good until an incident back in 93 (I think) where a large number of AMRAAMS (and a few AIM-54s) were fired well outside their no escape zones at Iraq aircraft in the southern no fly zone by USN Hornets and Tomcats.

What’s the differences between a Mk1 and 2?

Almost everything, only the basic layout and body diameter was the same. The inside one at NEAM is a Mk 1 believe me. PM me with an e-mail address and I send cutaway drawings of both marks straight out of the AP’s.