OK what's this?

[Simpo Two]

Or rather, what was it?



From https://www.reddit.com/r/MilitaryPorn/comments/bj4...

[Eric Mc]

Back end of a drop tank?

[normalbloke]

Eric Mc said:

Back end of a drop tank?

That’s my best guess.

[Simpo Two]

With four fins like a rocket and a hole at the back?

[Benni]

No worries, just the remains of my "V4,5" delivery,

I wanted my PHSS present to be sent quick and without all that customs hassle post-Brexit.

Nice to see it arrived safely.

[FourWheelDrift]

Is it one of the USAF's six missing nuclear bombs?

[normalbloke]

Simpo Two said:

With four fins like a rocket and a hole at the back?

With no control surfaces?

[NMNeil]

Practice bomb?
https://www.standfairoperations.com/products/speci...

[GliderRider]

My thinking is a drop tank or underwing store. The lumps on the ends of the fins are a bit odd, I wonder if they are lumps of lead to stop the fins fluttering? From what a cursory Google search reveals, four fins are most common on drop tanks and stores on swing wing aircraft, so I'm thinking SU22/24 and MiG 23/27. So far I can't find anything which matches the fin shape though.

[eccles]

normalbloke said:

With no control surfaces?

It has weights at the end of the fins and trim tabs.

[tangerine_sedge]

eccles said:

normalbloke said:

With no control surfaces?

It has weights at the end of the fins and trim tabs.

Possibly so that when it's dropped theres clean separation with the airframe?

I've trawled google looking for similar Russian drop tanks, but can't find anything quite like this. The fins look a little 'agricultural', so perhaps a prototype of a drop tank design?

[GliderRider]

The red on the fins and the ground adjustable trim tab made me wonder about an aerial towed target.

Eventually searching this line of enquiry brought up the PM-6R & PM-6G 'diving target' carried by Ilyushin IL-28 'Beagle' target tugs. These were to simulate diving fighters and glide bombs. The site requests that images are not to be copied, so here's a link. To see the relevant photo you will need to scroll about 3/4 of the way down the page:

PM-6R

[eccles]

GliderRider said:

The red on the fins and the ground adjustable trim tab made me wonder about an aerial towed target.

Eventually searching this line of enquiry brought up the PM-6R & PM-6G 'diving target' carried by Ilyushin IL-28 'Beagle' target tugs. These were to simulate diving fighters and glide bombs. The site requests that images are not to be copied, so here's a link. To see the relevant photo you will need to scroll about 3/4 of the way down the page:

PM-6R

That definitely looks like it.

[Simpo Two]

Brilliant work GR, even the hatches line up

[tangerine_sedge]

GliderRider said:

The red on the fins and the ground adjustable trim tab made me wonder about an aerial towed target.

Eventually searching this line of enquiry brought up the PM-6R & PM-6G 'diving target' carried by Ilyushin IL-28 'Beagle' target tugs. These were to simulate diving fighters and glide bombs. The site requests that images are not to be copied, so here's a link. To see the relevant photo you will need to scroll about 3/4 of the way down the page:

PM-6R

You appear to have 'won' the internet today!