Well That Didn't Work As Hoped

Decided to try the Europe goes hot during the Cuban Missile Crisis campaign with VMFA-314 in an F-4B.

In 1962 my air-to-air weapon selection is the AIM-9B Sidewinder and the AIM-7D Sparrow.

The AIM-9B is useless against a maneuvering target.  The AIM-7D is useless below 2,500' AGL and in nearly all look-down scenarios.

The first mission was an intercept 8v8 looking for enemy Il-28.  They attack nape of the earth so the Sparrows are out.  They are escorted by 8 MiG-17F; so now it's 8v16.  There's another four ship of MiG-17F and a two ship of MiG-21F-13 in the area as well; 8v22!  You need 50% of the guys you're supposed to be shooting to count it as a win.  I got two Il-28 with sidewinders and 3 MiG-17F (but not the escorts!) with the sparrows.  One of the wingmen managed to take out a single Il-28.  I am now done accounting our kills.  Once I was out of missiles I disengaged and one of my wingmen was shot down before I landed and three had taken some sort of damage.  Once I'd taxied back to the pad I ended the scenario (and prolly saved my wingmen since the game doesn't kill them once the player leaves the game).

The second mission was to find four MiG-15bis before they could take out friendly armor.  Low level again!  I got lucky with one sidewinder on the first Fagot but missed with the remaining three.  I fired an AIM-7D at a passing MiG-21F-13 who was perfectly lined up for the shot by pure chance; got him.  Then I got nailed by a MiG-17PF.  KIA with posthumous Purple Heart.

I think that next time I try for 1962 in a Marine jet I am going for an F-8C.  Having a gun of some sort sure would have made life a lot better.