Abstract: A single gun projection cathode ray tube (CRT) which permits the generation of high brightness image output. The crux of the invention is the provision, in the CRT, of an optically reflecting high thermal conductivity metal plate-like member positioned in the path of the electron beam, the surface of the metal plate-like member, which is directed toward both the electron gun and the faceplate of the CRT, being coated with a monochrome phosphor and being cooled by external means. The CRT is capable of producing monochrome images which are reflected by the phosphor-bearing surface of the metal plate-like member toward the faceplate of the CRT and, upon passing through the faceplate, may be projected directly onto a display screen. Alternatively, the CRT can produce projected field sequential color images when it is used either with a synchronized color wheel or with a synchronized liquid crystal shutter color filter interposed between the metal plate-like member of the CRT and the associated display screen.