diff --git a/include/prototypes.h b/include/prototypes.h
index c570ee2a..0767afc4 100644
--- a/include/prototypes.h
+++ b/include/prototypes.h
@@ -548,6 +548,7 @@ extern int carrier_planes(struct shpstr *, int);
 extern void pln_sel(struct nstr_item *, struct emp_qelem *,
 		    struct sctstr *, int, int, int, int);
 extern void pln_arm(struct emp_qelem *, int, char, struct ichrstr *);
+extern int pln_equip(struct plist *, struct ichrstr *, char);
 extern int pln_mobcost(int, struct plnstr *, char);
 extern void pln_put(struct emp_qelem *);
 extern void pln_put1(struct plist *);
diff --git a/src/lib/commands/laun.c b/src/lib/commands/laun.c
index 3de06c22..32baf75e 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/laun.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/laun.c
@@ -156,10 +156,8 @@ launch_as(struct plnstr *pp)
 	pr("Range too great!\n");
 	return RET_FAIL;
     }
-    if (msl_equip(pp, 'i') < 0) {
-	pr("%s not enough petrol or shells!\n", prplane(pp));
+    if (msl_equip(pp, 'i') < 0)
 	return RET_FAIL;
-    }
     if (msl_hit(pp, pln_def(&plane), EF_PLANE, N_SAT_KILL, N_SAT_KILL,
 		prplane(&plane), plane.pln_x, plane.pln_y, plane.pln_own)) {
 	pr("Satellite shot down\n");
@@ -233,10 +231,8 @@ launch_missile(struct plnstr *pp, int sublaunch)
 	pr("Range too great; try again!\n");
 	return RET_FAIL;
     }
-    if (msl_equip(pp, 'p') < 0) {
-	pr("%s not enough shells!\n", prplane(pp));
+    if (msl_equip(pp, 'p') < 0)
 	return RET_FAIL;
-    }
     if (!(pcp->pl_flags & P_MAR)) {
 	getsect(sx, sy, &sect);
 	if (opt_SLOW_WAR) {
@@ -343,10 +339,8 @@ launch_sat(struct plnstr *pp, int sublaunch)
 	return RET_SYN;
     if (!check_plane_ok(pp))
 	return RET_FAIL;
-    if (msl_equip(pp, 'r') < 0) {
-	pr("%s not enough petrol!\n", prplane(pp));
+    if (msl_equip(pp, 'r') < 0)
 	return RET_FAIL;
-    }
     pp->pln_theta = 0;
     pp->pln_flags |= PLN_SYNCHRONOUS;
     if (*p == 0 || *p == 'n')
diff --git a/src/lib/subs/mslsub.c b/src/lib/subs/mslsub.c
index 872d72ca..34a91b67 100644
--- a/src/lib/subs/mslsub.c
+++ b/src/lib/subs/mslsub.c
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ msl_equip(struct plnstr *pp, char mission)
     memset(&pl, 0, sizeof(struct plist));
     pl.pcp = plchr + pp->pln_type;
     pl.plane = *pp;
-    return mission_pln_equip(&pl, NULL, mission);
+    return pln_equip(&pl, NULL, mission);
 }
 
 int
diff --git a/src/lib/subs/plnsub.c b/src/lib/subs/plnsub.c
index 2149375c..fd178aa9 100644
--- a/src/lib/subs/plnsub.c
+++ b/src/lib/subs/plnsub.c
@@ -54,7 +54,6 @@
 #include "ship.h"
 #include "xy.h"
 
-static int pln_equip(struct plist *, struct ichrstr *, char);
 static int fit_plane_on_ship(struct plnstr *, struct shpstr *);
 
 /*
@@ -613,7 +612,7 @@ pln_arm(struct emp_qelem *list, int dist, char mission, struct ichrstr *ip)
     }
 }
 
-static int
+int
 pln_equip(struct plist *plp, struct ichrstr *ip, char mission)
 {
     struct plchrstr *pcp;
@@ -684,7 +683,12 @@ pln_equip(struct plist *plp, struct ichrstr *ip, char mission)
 	break;
     case 'r':		/* reconnaissance */
     case 'e':		/* escort */
-	load = 0;
+    case 'i':		/* missile interception */
+	if (CANT_HAPPEN(!(pcp->pl_flags & P_M)
+			|| !(pcp->pl_flags & (P_N | P_O))))
+	    break;
+	if (load)
+	    itype = I_SHELL;
 	break;
     default:
 	CANT_REACH();