Iırc from 1976 all Phantoms cleared for using Aim-9L’s.
Yes, I recall similiarly that F-4J/S COULD carry 9L IRL.
Its balancing decision, similiarly to F/A-18C early having 9Ls instead of 9Ms despite being in Desert Storm config.
In theory it allows the plane to sit at lower BR where most of its kit remains competetive.
And hey if F/A-18C early gets to sit at lower BR by not having 9Ms i take it.
Argument is whenever the UK Phantoms could recieve 9L without BR increase, but seeing as Skyflashes really dont compare to 7M/Fs, id say it would be possible
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Tbh F-18C Early,CFA, Swiss F-18C could use Aim-9M in exchange for 13.0 Br.
9/10 times you will get dragged into 13.3-13.7 so might as well have some advantage for close range combat.
It’s at 12.0 just to make you suffer.
I like the way they are (since bulk of the killing is done by the 7P anyway) but ultimately it wouldnt affect me that much so.
This is why the Tornado F.3 will forever be my go-to 12.0 grind plane.
Its everything the Phantom wants to be but isn’t lol
Only thing the Tornado F.3 misses is a competitive flight model which I will give to edge in a dogfight to the Spey Phantoms.
I remember seeing something that the FG.1 was largely retired and placed into reserve before the FGR.2 was cleared for 9L use. So in active service the FG.1 never used them and could be taken to 11.7 where its kit fits better and the FGR.2 can sit at 12.0 with the 9L.
Once the Tornado’s flight model is corrected/buffed it can then sit at 12.3 without issue as currently it sits with the strongest avionics suite of any 12.0 plane in the game with a very strong kit too.
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