Quote:
Originally Posted by leib10
The F-4 was a pure energy fighter, using its superior thrust to get above and behind the more nimble MiGs. Kill ratios went up drastically as the result of the introduction of gun pods (internal guns on later models) and better training in ACM (Top Gun).
@WABPilot
I've read reports that the F-14 was superior to the F-4 in the turning fight. Is this true? And also, how did it compare on the vertical plane?
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In the navy, we never had the gun pods, and none of our kills were with guns. The Marines had the gun pod, but it was not accurate enough for air to air gunnery. They used it for strafing and their scores were horrible. The thing danced all over the place and rarely hit the target. In 1968 LCR John Nichols had to finish off a MiG with guns from his F-8 after damaging it with a 'winder. If memory serves me, that was the last USN gun kill.
The F-14 was much better in a turning fight than the F-4. In the vertical it was better too. But not so much better that you would want to risk getting into a vertical with a good F-4 stick. He could make you pay if you didn't know the F-14 well.