"History" and the History Channel

[John Beaman]

Originally Posted by Leo Etgen

Hi guys

By the way, I do not know the difference between an F-4D and an F-4E if it bit me in the ass!

Horrido!

Leo

Well, Leo, I can appreciate that. If an E bit you in the ass, it would be painful as it was a rotary 20mm cannon firing about 6,000 rounds per minute!

Seriously, the F-4 was designed by the Navy to intercept those mean old Badgers, Beagles and Backfire bombers that would dare to attack the carrier group. It used only missiles as everyone thought they would be perfect. Over VN, it was learned that sharp-turning MiGs could dodge the missiles, so we also needed a gun. The USAF developed the F-4E with one and it was about 2 feet longer with a sharper nose than the D.