๐๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฎ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
This suggestion focuses on historically documented equipment that was available for the U.S. Navy F-4J and U.S. Marine Corps F-4S Phantom that is currently missing from WarThunder. The proposed additions are supported by official documentation and are intended to improve historical accuracy rather than alter game balance.
๐๐/๐๐๐-๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐๐จ๐
The most significant omission is the AN/ALE-37 external countermeasure pod.
War Thunder already includes this pod on the A-6E TRAM and a few other aircraft, so its model and functionality already exist in-game. However, the F-4J and F-4S cannot equip it despite official documentation confirming compatibility.
Evidence
The May 1984 F-4S External Store Loading Manual lists the AN/ALE-37 as an approved external store and identifies the stations on which it could be carried. The same manual also confirms compatibility alongside other common stores, including:
- AIM-7 Sparrow missiles
- AIM-9 Sidewinders
- External fuel tanks
- Bombs
- Rocket launchers
Why it should be added
The F-4J and F-4S have relatively limited internal countermeasure capacity. Allowing players to equip the AN/ALE-37 would provide a historically accurate way to increase survivability at the cost of an external station.
Since the pod is already implemented on another aircraft, this would extend an existing piece of equipment to aircraft that were historically cleared to use it.
๐๐๐-๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ง๐ค๐ฌ
Another missing feature is the option to carry 370-gallon fuel tanks on the outer wing stations.
The same May 1984 F-4S External Store Loading Manual lists these tanks as approved stores and specifies their authorized mounting locations.
Why this should also be added
The additional fuel would also benefit longer missions in Air Simulator Battles and Air Realistic Enduring Confrontation by increasing endurance and reducing the need to return to base as frequently.
More importantly, it would give players access to another historically documented loadout option.
๐๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐-๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐๐ญ๐ข๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ -๐๐
Official documentation confirms that the U.S. Navy F-4J was cleared to use the AIM-9L. Based on this evidence, I believe it would be a worthwhile addition only for the F-4J in the U.S. tech tree.
I am not suggesting that the F-4S receive the AIM-9L, as it already has access to the slightly improved rear-aspect AIM-9H Sidewinder that the F-4J doesnโt have.
The F-4S also has some advantages over the F-4J, including:
- Leading-edge maneuvering slats
- Better low-speed handling
Because of these improvements, many players choose to purchase the F-4S and skip the F-4J entirely, as there is little incentive to play it unless youโre progressing through the tech tree as a free-to-play player, or youโre simply a dedicated Phantom enthusiast.
Equipping the F-4J with the historically documented AIM-9L would give it a meaningful distinction while making the stock grind less frustrating, without diminishing the F-4Sโs role as the superior airframe.
๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐๐-๐๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
If there are concerns that giving these aircraft AIM-9Ls would make them too effective in certain situations, a possible compromise would be to limit them to carrying only two AIM-9Ls instead of four. For example, the missiles could be restricted to a single pair mounted on one set of wing pylons, rather than allowing a full loadout.
- Provide both the F-4J and F-4S with the AN/ALE-37 countermeasure pod, 370-gallon outer wing fuel tanks, and AIM-9L Sidewinders.
- Provide both the F-4J and F-4S with the AN/ALE-37 countermeasure pod and 370-gallon outer wing fuel tanks, but only the F-4J gets AIM-9Ls.
- Provide both the F-4J and F-4S with the AN/ALE-37 countermeasure pod and 370-gallon outer wing fuel tanks only.
- No changes.