Why only the F-4E Phantom II

The F-4E variant of the venerable Phantom II, was the result of lessons learnt, the hard way, in combat over the skies of Vietnam. Earlier variants of the F-4, the USAF F-4C/D & the USN F-4J did not carry an internal gun & carried missiles which did not work as advertised. Combat experience proved that the days of dogfighting were far from over, maneouverability for fighters was essential and an internal gun or cannon was a sure way of splashing your oponent or keeping your enemy's head down. The F-4 version which overcame all or most of the difficulties was,

The F-4E Phantom II

A pair of F-4E's, each carrying the standard armament of four AIM-7 Sparrows, four AIM-9 Sidewinders and an Internal 20mm Vulcan gatling cannon with 675 rounds of ammunition, could wipe out a squadron of enemy fighters

Its maneouverability was improved with leading edge slats during air combat & it could still carry a wide array of air to ground weapons, guided and unguided, in the role of a "mud mover".

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