FJ-4B VMF-232

FJ-4B VMF-232

FJ-4B VMF-232

USA

VI Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
9.0	8.7	9.0

Class:

Strike aircraft

Naval aircraft

Purchase:Bundle or Gift

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This page is about the gift jet fighter FJ-4B VMF-232. For the regular version, see FJ-4B. For other versions, see F-86 (Family).

Description

The FJ-4B VMF-232 Fury is a gift rank VI American jet fighter with a battle rating of 9.0 (AB/SB) and 8.7 (RB). It was introduced in Update 1.79 "Project X" as the main reward for the Good Old S.U.M.M.E.R event 2018.

In the early 1950s, the US Navy realized during the Korean War that their straight-wing fighters were vastly inferior to the swept-wing MiG 15s they flew against. Though the F7U and F9F fighters were under development, they were not ready for deployment requiring the Navy to look elsewhere for a usable swept-wing fighter. They looked to the Air Force’s F-86 Sabre as a stop-gap measure. Modifications were needed to make it aircraft carrier ready to include a stronger nose-wheel strut, all-moving flying tail without dihedral, outer wing panels folded upward and the windscreen was modified to aid the pilot’s visibility on approach for landing on the carrier. This version of the aircraft was designated as the FJ-2 Fury (completely different aircraft from the original North American FJ-1). Even with modifications, the aircraft was unfit for carrier duty and was passed onto the US Marines for land-based duty.

The FJ-3 underwent development to rectify issues the FJ-2 had. Now outfitted with a more powerful engine, wing shape changed to provide more manoeuvrability and eliminated the leading edge slats and were reinforced to allow for four external pylons to allow for external fuel tanks, 500 or 1,000 lb bombs. The fuselage was enlarged to allow for more airflow to reach the engine and the fighter was outfitted with AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.

The FJ-4 was a more aggressive approach compared to the FJ-3 with a much thinner wing and skin which was milled from solid alloy plates allowing for more strength, durability and aerodynamics. As the FJ-4 was built to be an all-weather interceptor, it required a considerable amount of fuel for operations and ultimately contained 50% more fuel than the FJ-3. To help conserve fuel, most of the protective armour was removed and the total ammunition count was reduced. Since weight was removed, an additional fuel tank was fitted within the fuselage, causing the “razorback” look to the rear deck of the aircraft just aft of the cockpit. Also, due to the stronger wing of this fighter, a total of six underwing stations were available allowing for more ordnance to be carried.

The FJ-4B VMF-232 found in War Thunder is a solid multi-role US Marine aircraft which can fight air-to-air combat, ground-pound or both. The fighter features four 20 mm autocannons and then can outfit several different ordnance to its underwing stores. Bomb load-outs range from using 250, 500, 1,000 or 2,000 lb bombs effectively targeting from vehicles and pillboxes all the way up to bases. FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets make short work of ground targets, but also can be deadly against any of the bomber aircraft it may intercept. Bullpup rockets can create a huge punch into a ground target, however, it requires the attention of the pilot all the way to the target to ensure it hits. The FJ-4B VMF-232 can also sport two AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles, which any smart pilot on the receiving end will immediately begin evasive manoeuvres when one of these are inbound because, at that point, nothing else matters!

General info

Flight Performance

Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.

An FJ-4B VMF-232 preparing for a carrier landing with flaps and air brakes fully extended slowing the approach to snag a deck cable at about 140 mph (225 kph).

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 152 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
1,058	1,029	14700	32.5	33.3	28.1	26.4	750
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at 152 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
1107	1090	14700	30.2	31	42.8	35	750

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
✓	✓	✓	✓	✓

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Combat flaps (km/h)	Max Static G
			+	-
		620	~10	~4

Optimal velocities
Ailerons (km/h)	Rudder (km/h)	Elevators (km/h)	Radiator (km/h)
< 750	< 690	< 680	N/A

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
152 m	3,410 kgf	N/A

Survivability and armour

Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.

• 60 mm Bulletproof glass in front of the pilot.
• 12.7 mm Steel plate behind the pilot.

The FJ-4B VMF-232 fighter has minimal armour to save weight, which allowed for more fuel tanks to be installed. The armour on the aircraft is limited to a 12.7 mm steel plate behind the pilot’s seat and a 60 mm bulletproof glass in the windscreen of the aircraft. This armour protection at best will help the pilot survive a pilot snipe, however, it will not do anything to protect the fuel tanks and jet engine which are all vulnerable to gun, rocket and missile fire.

Armaments

Offensive armament

The FJ-4B VMF-232 is armed with:

• 4 x 20 mm Browning-Colt Mk12 Mod 3 cannons, nose-mounted (144 rpg = 576 total)

Like many of the contemporary fighters of the time, the FJ-4B VMF-232 was considered a gunslinger fighter. Fighter aircraft were flying much faster than aircraft a few years earlier and needed to have more manoeuvrability than ever before, one way to do this was to remove the guns from the wings and mount them in the fuselage. For the F4-J, wing-mounted guns would not work due to the fuel tanks already outfitted there. All four 20 mm Browning-Colt Mk12 cannons were mounted in the nose of the aircraft around the air intake for the engine. The benefits for mounting them here are huge, not only does it keep the centre of gravity tight, but it also relieves the pilot of having to set any convergence for them.

For the pilot in the heat of battle, the less they have to remember and do allows them to focus more on the situation at hand and shooting down enemy aircraft (or evade if you are being shot at). Without having to calculate convergence, the pilot is free to fire from effectively 0 m - +800 m and know the rounds will fly true. This allows the FJ-4B VMF-232 pilot to pummel enemy aircraft within a few hundred meters or attempt to take pilot-sniping shots at longer ranges. The clustering of the four cannons allows for some serious damage to be inflicted especially if it connects with critical components such as an engine, oil/water cooler, pilot, control surfaces or even a wing. Due to the nature of this aircraft and the reduced ammunition load, the pilot must make every shot count or else they will be frequently waiting for a reload or heading back to base to reload.

Suspended armament

The FJ-4B VMF-232 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• Without load
• 6 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (1,500 lb total)
• 6 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (3,000 lb total)
• 2 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (2,000 lb total)
• 2 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs + 4 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (4,000 lb total)
• 2 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs (4,000 lb total)
• 114 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
• 2 x AIM-9B missiles + 76 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
• 5 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
• 2 x AIM-9B missiles
• 4 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs + 2 x AIM-9B missiles (1,000 lb total)
• 4 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs + 2 x AIM-9B missiles (2,000 lb total)
• 2 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs + 2 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs + 2 x AIM-9B missiles (3,000 lb total)

The FJ-4B VMF-232 is an all-weather fighter/interceptor which includes multi-role capabilities also deeming it a fighter-bomber. While initially built for the Navy, this fighter saw most of its action with the US Marines and thus needed to be a multi-role aircraft which could combat both air and ground targets in support of US Marine operations.

The choice of payload can depend on the player's preferred role to take into battle:

Ground attack

The FJ-4B VMF-232 has a wide variety of options for ground attack operations, especially in War Thunder. Stock aircraft are limited in the munitions they can carry, however as the pilot progresses, heavier ordnance becomes available. For this aircraft, there are choices between 250, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 lb bombs. The choice of bombs to be used depends on the map being played and the targets available on that map. For maps with many smaller targets such as light/medium tanks, trucks and anti-aircraft batteries, it is best to use the 250 lb bombs from lower altitudes, whereas when you begin to encounter targets with heavier armour they will require the larger bombs. When base attacking, it is best to utilise the 1,000 and 2,000 lb bombs.

Rockets, while listed as “Folding-Fin Aerial Rockets” can be effectively used against ground targets, predominantly clusters of vehicles or aircraft landing on runways to repair or during domination matches. Since the rockets are unguided, the pilot will typically need to fire off a salvo (+5) of rockets to chance at least one hits the target, however, due to the situation, it would not be improper to fire off 10 or more to ensure a hit. With 114 FFAR rockets, the FJ-4B VMF-232 will have plenty to spare, don’t hesitate to use them as the pilot going down in flames with almost a full load of rockets is probably kicking themselves for not using more.

This Marine version of the FJ-4 features a weapon not found with the Navy version. This weapon is the AGM-12B Bullpup guided rocket. The Bullpup is a large and powerful rocket which allows the pilot to guide it all the way to the target. The plus side is that the pilot can make inflight corrections and get the rocket on target, however, this also brings in a drawback, in that the pilot cannot alter the course at any time or else risk the Bullpup flying off course. This targeting run leaves the FJ-4B VMF-232 in a precarious position where it can easily be picked off by ground-fire or other fighter aircraft preying on inattentive (or in this case, hyperfocused) pilots.

Air interceptor

The FJ-4B VMF-232 was initially built as an interceptor and has the tools to do just that. In combination with the four autocannons, there are options to equip the FFAR rockets which can effectively be used against larger and slower aircraft such as bombers. Mighty Mouse rockets while small and unguided (aim, fire and forget) may seem to be a less effective choice, never underestimate them in large groups. When going against bombers, FFAR rockets can be highly effective, especially since they only need to explode close to the target and still can cause damage. Since the FJ-4B VMF-232 can carry 114 of these rockets, they are more effective when fired in large groups or salvos. This reasoning is due to the unguided nature of the rockets, it may be easy for a target aircraft to avoid one or two, however, if 10 or more are fired, chances are the evading aircraft may actually manoeuvre into the flight path of one of the rockets.

For direct air-to-air combat, the FJ-4B VMF-232 has the option to outfit the coveted AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles. These missiles were the missiles of choice for pilots in the Vietnam War as they had a higher rate of success compared to the Sparrow and other missiles used. While not a 100% guarantee to destroy an enemy aircraft after fired, they will usually cause the pilot immediately take evasive manoeuvres which at times may include energy haemorrhaging turns which may set up the aircraft an easy target for the FJ-4’s autocannons.

Multi-role fighter/bomber/interceptor

In regards to some maps, it is not always clear what the targets will be or if the match will end up fighter or bomber heavy. For this, there are several suspended armament load-outs which will cater to both bombing and aerial attack to include rockets/missiles, bombs/missiles and lots of bombs and missiles. Since the 20 mm autocannons are part of the offensive armament package, all loadout versions will include these weapons.

Usage in battles

Describe the tactics of playing in an aircraft, the features of using vehicles in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Not controllable	Not controllable Not auto controlled	Not controllable Not auto controlled	Not controllable Not auto controlled	Combined	Not controllable 1 gear	Not controllable

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage repair	Compressor		Offensive 20 mm	FSBC mk.5
II	New boosters		Airframe		SBC mk.1	AERO 7D
III	Wings repair	Engine		New 20 mm cannons	MBC mk.1	AGM-12B Bullpup
IV	G-suit		Cover		LBC mk.1	AIM-9B

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Relatively high top speed
• Powerful fast firing cannons and payload options
• Superb ground attack potential
• Has AGM-12B Bullpups air-to-ground missiles
• Can land on carriers with ease
• Can equip 2 x AIM-9B air-to-air missiles along with bombs

Cons:

• Very inaccurate guns when stock
• Slow acceleration (especially when stock)
• Carrying ordinance significantly reduces performance
• Is not competitive against pure jet fighters

History

The FJ-4 was the fourth modification of the Fury - the naval version of the F-86 Sabre, serving primarily with the USMC. Being initially conceived as an all-weather interceptor, the FJ-4 Fury had to incorporate several design changes compared to the previous fighter version in order to fulfill this new role. The most notable change was the increase in range and the installation of new, thinner wing with an increased surface area. To achieve the range increase, the aircraft underwent several structural changes which reduced its weight and allowed for additional fuel tanks to be installed. Additionally, a more powerful Wright J65-W-16A engine, producing 7,700 lbf of thrust, was installed on the production versions. Following successful test flights, production of the FJ-4 commenced in 1955 with first units entering service with the Navy in 1956. Over 150 FJ-4 Fury interceptors were built.

Wishing to increase the strike capabilities of the new FJ-4, engineers of the North American company went back to the drawing board and once more applied several changes to the design, creating the FJ-4B. The FJ-4B version most notably featured a strengthened wing, offering an increased payload by adding two additional hardpoints to each wing, bringing the total up from two to six. Furthermore, the aircraft received air brakes under the aft of the fuselage, making dive bombing and landing easier. Of the original order for 221 FJ-4 Fury interceptors, the last 71 were modified into the FJ-4B fighter-bomber version. An additional order for 151 FJ-4B Furies followed in April 1956, bring the total of produced FJ-4Bs up to 222. Both the interceptor and fighter-bomber version of the FJ-4 served with the Navy and USMC until the early 1960s, before being phased out of active service and moved to the Naval Air Reserve. The FJ-4 was the last modification of the Fury and among the last mass-produced variants of the Sabre lineage.

- From Devblog

Media

• 

  VU-7 Camouflage, given to owners who have completed 10 pilot's mark of distinction during the event. Standard sea pattern (Engine Gray/Orange-Yellow) with insignia of VU-7, Nord Island, USA, 1959

See also

Related development

• Canadair Sabre (those Sabres manufactured with the designator "CL")
• North American F-86A/F
• North American F-86D Sabre
• North American F-100 Super Sabre
• North American FJ-4 Fury

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Dassault Super Mystère
• Grumman F-9 Cougar
• Hawker Hunter
• Lavochkin La-15
• Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15
• Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17
• Saab J29 Tunnan

External links

• [Devblog] FJ-4B Fury: Last of its Kind
• [Devblog] AGM-12B Bullpup: They can’t dodge