Israel was the first big customer outside the U.S. for the Phantom. The
Kurnas entered service in 1969 and participated in the War of Attrition
(1969-1970), the Yom Kippur War (1973), and other operations.
It's credited
with more than 100 kills.
McDonnell Douglas
F-4E Phantom II
Kurnas (Sledgehammer)
69 Squadron
The Phantom was designed as a missile only fighter, but experience in the Vietnam War, and demands by Israel, caused McDonnell Douglas to fit the F-4E with internal guns, mounted in a semi recessed pod under the nose.