Original Item. Only One Available. The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a short-range air-to-air missile. Entering service with the United States Navy in 1956 and the Air Force in 1964, the AIM-9 is one of the oldest, cheapest, and most successful air-to-air missiles. Its latest variants remain standard equipment in most Western-aligned air forces. The Soviet K-13 (AA-2 "Atoll"), a reverse-engineered copy of the AIM-9B, was also widely adopted.

This missile is hollow, totally inert, and cannot be converted to a destructive device. Unloaded or dummy grenades, artillery shell casings, and similar devices, which are cut or drilled to BATF recommendations, so that they cannot be used as ammunition components for destructive devices, are not considered NFA weapons. This example is in total compliance and is NOT AVAILABLE FOR EXPORT.

This is a truly stunning piece of ordnance, an AIM-9B “Sidewinder” missile, one of the most well-known air-to-air missiles ever developed. This example had decals applied identifying it as an AIM-9D, but from the style of tail fin attachment, we are certain that the missile was originally an AIM-9B. This example came to us out of a now-defunct museum which appears to have altered the missile, affixing it with a FMU-56D Proximity Fuze - incorrect for this model. The proximity fuze still unscrews and measures roughly 16” long. It also retains its data plate:

INERT UNCLASSIFIED
PART NO. 748173
FEDERAL STOCK NO. 1325-NC-132856G
FUZE, PROXIMITY-FMU-56D (D-2) / B
MFG CODE 94990
CONTRACT NO. F08635-73-C-0007
MOTOROLA
GOVERNMENT ELECTRONICS DIVISION

The fuze still retains its switch position reference plate on the head, with the three “wheels” still intact. Prior to flight, these selector switches would be set to the correct positions. This fuze is incorrect for the Sidewinder missile, which utilizes an Infrared Proximity Fuze, otherwise referred to as “Heat-Seeker”. Additionally, the thin-skinned honeycomb fins are incorrect for the Sidewinder, so we believe the top 1/4th of the missile to have been added from a different model for display. The entire missile as it stands now measures roughly 95 x 25 x 25”, and weighs 76lbs.

The missile has an array of different labels and decals, with the main body being decaled in large letters USAF AIM-9D / ‘SIDEWINDER’ US AIR FORCE. As mentioned, this was incorrectly labeled an AIM-9D when it is in fact an AIM-9B. The number 22 was attached via decals to all four of the tailfins as well as the fuze. The four fins near the top of the rocket appear to have been broken, with several pieces having been reattached with glue or fasteners. They still appear rather fragile, and all four retain a label reading:

CAUTION
THIS IS A THIN-SKINNED
HONEYCOMB STRUCTURE
USE CARE IN HANDLING
3.00512.3

All four tailfins are correctly equipped with rollerons, a type of aileron used for rockets and used to provide passive stabilization against rotation. While most commonly used to stabilize against roll, it can also be used for counteracting yaw and pitch as well. The rollerons still roll and are in fair condition.

The missile overall is in fair condition with the expected heavy scuffing and loss of material in some of the decals, but the white paint has held up considerably well, with some areas developing a lovely patina. 

This is a really tremendous example of an AIM-9D “Sidewinder” missile turned into a museum mockup, with the majority of the missile retaining its original Sidewinder parts. These have become one of the most sought-after pieces of ordnance on the market, with complete REPLICAS selling for $8,200! Here’s an extraordinarily scarce chance to add a real example (or the majority of one!) to your collection!

Truck freight with curbside delivery within 48 states is included in the price.

AIM-9 Sidewinder

Low-level development started in the late 1940s, emerging in the early 1950s as a guidance system for the modular Zuni rocket. This modularity allowed for the introduction of newer seekers and rocket motors, including the AIM-9C variant, which used semi-active radar homing and served as the basis of the AGM-122 Sidearm anti-radar missile. Due to the Sidewinder's infrared guidance system, the brevity code "Fox two" is used when firing the AIM-9. Originally a tail-chasing system, early models saw extensive use during the Vietnam War, but had a low success rate (8% hit rate with the AIM-9E variant). This led to all-aspect capability in the L (Lima) version, which proved an effective weapon during the 1982 Falklands War and Operation Mole Cricket 19 in Lebanon. Its adaptability has kept it in service over newer designs like the AIM-95 Agile and SRAAM that were intended to replace it.

The Sidewinder is the most widely used air-to-air missile in the West, with more than 110,000 missiles produced for the U.S. and 27 other nations, of which perhaps one percent have been used in combat. It has been built under license by Sweden and other nations. The AIM-9 has an estimated 270 aircraft kills.

In 2010, Boeing won a contract to support Sidewinder operations through to 2055. In 2021 an Air Force spokesperson said that its relatively low cost, versatility, and reliability mean it is "very possible that the Sidewinder will remain in Air Force inventories through the late 21st century".

Imitation New Made Inert Gun Laws:-
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Imitation Firearms, regardless of date, may only be shipped:
1. In conjunction with a frame or presentation box; or
2. Solely for export in interstate or foreign commerce; or
3. Solely for use in theatrical or re-enactment productions; or
4. For use in certified sporting events or competitions; or
5. For use in military or civil defense or ceremonial activities; or
6. For public display authorized by public or private schools:
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All replicas of antique firearms (pre-1898) are allowed. We will not ship replicas of modern firearms (post-1898) to these states.
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Replicas of antique firearms (pre-1898) are allowed. We will only ship replicas of modern firearms (post-1898) to theatrical, re-enactment, military, police or other government accounts.