So honestly I have no clue if a post is already existing for this topic, but I found it quite important. Why? Because Germany Air will get an exact copy of the Tornado as a Premium, and nothing more. So hear me out:
I was reading through Wikipedia and saw one line:
“Mit der AIM-9L konnte die F-4F im Jagdeinsatz nun auch Ziele annähernd von vorne und von der Seite bekämpfen und war nicht mehr darauf angewiesen, hinter ein gegnerisches Flugzeug zu gelangen. Die AIM-9L konnte seitlich auf ein vom Radar erfasstes Ziel ausgerichtet werden. Dabei lieferte das Radar dynamische Schussbereichsberechnungen. Darüber hinaus wurde der Modus zur Schnellaufschaltung des Radars im Luftkampf verbessert.”
The Aim-9L got added to the plane with several other combat improving changes.
Why was is added? Well, because the Phantom no longer met the requirements immediately after delivery in 1973. Radar and other components were from the Vietnam War and the whole plane was basically outdated.
Sources: Bernd Vetter, Frank Vetter: F-4 Phantom. Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 2021, ISBN 978-3-613-04393-0.
Karl-Heinz Schäfer: F-4F Phantom II – „The Phinal“. Druckerei Finke, Aurich 2016, ISBN 978-3-00-043384-9.
Make up your own opinion about whether something like this should be added.
Already discussed last year, end up with f-4f lowering down to 10.7 in a BR change. And I think it’s sitting comfortable there. Give it aim-9l would definite raise its BR to 11.0/11.3. Yes, it become more “realistic”, but in that br, you can’t get a comfortable gaming experience like now. (frequently uptiered, will face more powerful jet)
I also don’t get the Tornado Premium. Since bases won’t respawn anymore, its a totally and utter useless plane. Its not fast enough to reach bases before other fighters with bombs do and since nothing respawns you end match after match without much chance to earn SL/RP. In every match there are F-16, Mirages etc which are played as base busters as well and they reach any base faster than your Tornado. Depressing.
The two AIM-9L are just that…just two missiles which often just get flared. One flare drop is enough its its gone…even if the target is ABing.
Before that change it was quite ok. You have alot fuel, so I always flew around the sides a bit and waited for bases to respawn, then you make your drop while the furball is busy. But this isn’t possible anymore. The initial race for the bases you ALWAYS lose, except maybe you get a -1 BR downtier. Happens once a month, though^^
Literally what im saying… Im still hoping maybe this version will get its Radar Jammer. Also ive spotted Tornado IDS with 4 Aim-9 Missiles, not only 2. Gaijin messed up long before, but this update setzt dem Fass die Krone auf, as we say in germany.
I think the german F-4F should get the Aim-9L. Due to the splitting of the BRs for Ground and Air, I think, that the Phantom should get rid of historically inaccurate Aim-9E and J and get Aim-9L instead. On its current BR are several planes with all aspect IR missiles. The MIG-23M and MLD with its up to 6 R-60M or the british Sea Harrier FRS1 with its Aim-9L. Also there are the CAS-Planes like A-10 or Su-25 wich carry up to 4 of such missiles.
While in GRB the Air-to-Air missiles doesn’t care as much. They won’t fight tanks, you are just more efficient in fighting enemy CAS (wich I think is a nice thingh, I think it is more “fun” to die in a nice dogfight instead of getting shot by Pantsir, Tunguska, ADATS, Strela whatever). It would make it more fun to play.
In ARB the F-4F lacks a PD-Radar and SARH missiles, wich gives it a huge disadvantage against every other plane on this BR. To have All-Aspect IR missiles would give it a boost and balance this disadvantage.
So please GJ, give the german techtree F-4F the Aim-9L, it wouldn’t outbalance it, it would make it balance more