McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II

F-4 Phantom II
A U.S. Air Force QF-4E flies with the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron over White Sands Missile Range in 2008
Role	Interceptor, fighter-bomber Type of aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	McDonnell Aircraft Corporation McDonnell Douglas
First flight	27 May 1958
Introduction	30 December 1960
Retired	1996 (U.S. combat use) 2013 (Germany) 2016 (U.S. target drone)[1] 2021 (Japan)
Status	In service
Primary users	United States Air Force (historical) United States Navy (historical) United States Marine Corps (historical) Iranian Air Force
Produced	1958–1981
Number built	5,195
Variants	McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1/FGR.2

The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II

The Phantom is a large fighter with a top speed of over Mach 2.2. It can carry more than 18,000 pounds (8,400 kg) of weapons on nine external hardpoints, including air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, and various bombs.^[6] The F-4, like other interceptors of its time, was initially designed without an internal cannon. Later models incorporated an M61 Vulcan rotary cannon. Beginning in 1959, it set 15 world records for in-flight performance,^[7] including an absolute speed record and an absolute altitude record.^[8]

The F-4 was used extensively during the

In 1953, McDonnell Aircraft began work on revising its F3H Demon naval fighter, seeking expanded capabilities and better performance. The company developed several projects, including a variant powered by a Wright J67 engine,^[17] and variants powered by two Wright J65 engines, or two General Electric J79 engines.^[18] The J79-powered version promised a top speed of Mach 1.97. On 19 September 1953, McDonnell approached the United States Navy with a proposal for the "Super Demon". Uniquely, the aircraft was to be modular, as it could be fitted with one- or two-seat noses for different missions, with different nose cones to accommodate radar, photo cameras, four 20 mm (.79 in) cannon, or 56 FFAR unguided rockets in addition to the nine hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage. The Navy was sufficiently interested to order a full-scale mock-up of the F3H-G/H, but felt that the upcoming Grumman XF9F-9 and Vought XF8U-1 already satisfied the need for a supersonic fighter.^[19]

The McDonnell design was therefore reworked into an all-weather fighter-bomber with 11 external hardpoints for weapons and on 18 October 1954, the company received a letter of intent for two YAH-1 prototypes. Then on 26 May 1955, four Navy officers arrived at the McDonnell offices and, within an hour, presented the company with an entirely new set of requirements. Because the Navy already had the

The XF4H-1 was designed to carry four semi-recessed AAM-N-6 Sparrow III radar-guided missiles, and to be powered by two J79-GE-8 engines. As in the McDonnell F-101 Voodoo, the engines sat low in the fuselage to maximize internal fuel capacity and ingested air through fixed geometry intakes. The thin-section wing had a leading edge sweep of 45° and was equipped with blown flaps for better low-speed handling.^[21]

On 25 July 1955, the Navy ordered two XF4H-1 test aircraft and five YF4H-1 pre-production examples. The Phantom made its maiden flight on 27 May 1958 with Robert C. Little at the controls. A hydraulic problem precluded the retraction of the landing gear, but subsequent flights went more smoothly. Early testing resulted in redesign of the air intakes, including the distinctive addition of 12,500 holes to "bleed off" the slow-moving

Early in production, the radar was upgraded to the Westinghouse AN/APQ-72, an AN/APQ-50 with a larger radar antenna, necessitating the bulbous nose, and the canopy was reworked to improve visibility and make the rear cockpit less claustrophobic.^[24] During its career the Phantom underwent many changes in the form of numerous variants developed.

The USN operated the F4H-1 (re-designated F-4A in 1962) with J79-GE-2 and -2A engines of 16,100 lbf (71.62 kN) thrust and later builds receiving -8 engines. A total of 45 F-4As were built; none saw combat, and most ended up as test or training aircraft.

The USAF received Phantoms as the result of Defense Secretary Robert McNamara's push to create a unified fighter for all branches of the US military. After an F-4B won the "Operation Highspeed" fly-off against the Convair F-106 Delta Dart, the USAF borrowed two Naval F-4Bs, temporarily designating them F-110A in January 1962, and developed requirements for their own version. Unlike the US Navy's focus on air-to-air interception in the Fleet Air Defense (FAD) mission, the USAF emphasized both an air-to-air and an air-to-ground fighter-bomber role. With McNamara's unification of designations on 18 September 1962, the Phantom became the F-4 with the naval version designated F-4B and USAF F-4C. The first Air Force Phantom flew on 27 May 1963, exceeding Mach 2 on its maiden flight.^[26]

The F-4J improved both air-to-air and ground-attack capability; deliveries begun in 1966 and ended in 1972 with 522 built.

The F-4N (updated F-4Bs) with smokeless engines and F-4J aerodynamic improvements started in 1972 under a U.S. Navy-initiated refurbishment program called "Project Bee Line"[30] with 228 converted by 1978. The F-4S model resulted from the refurbishment of 265 F-4Js with J79-GE-17 smokeless engines of 17,900 lbf (79.379 kN), AWG-10B radar with digitized circuitry for improved performance and reliability, Honeywell AN/AVG-8 Visual Target Acquisition Set or VTAS (world's first operational Helmet Sighting System), classified avionics improvements, airframe reinforcement and leading edge slats for enhanced maneuvering.^[31] The USMC also operated the RF-4B with reconnaissance cameras with 46 built;^[32] the RF-4B flew alone and unarmed, with a requirement to fly straight and level at 5,000 feet while taking photographs. They relied on the shortcomings of the anti-aircraft defenses to survive as they were unable to make evasive maneuvers.^[20]

Phantom II production ended in the United States in 1979 after 5,195 had been built (5,057 by McDonnell Douglas and 138 in Japan by Mitsubishi). Of these, 2,874 went to the USAF, 1,264 to the Navy and Marine Corps, and the rest to foreign customers.^[4] The last U.S.-built F-4 went to South Korea, while the last F-4 built was an F-4EJ built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan and delivered on 20 May 1981.^[33] As of 2008, 631 Phantoms were in service worldwide,^[34] while the Phantoms were in use as a target drone (specifically QF-4Cs) operated by the U.S. military until 21 December 2016, when the Air Force officially ended use of the type.^[35]

World records

To show off their new fighter, the Navy led a series of record-breaking flights early in Phantom development:^[4] All in all, the Phantom set 16 world records. Five of the speed records remained unbeaten until the F-15 Eagle appeared in 1975.^[7]

• Operation Top Flight: On 6 December 1959, the second XF4H-1 performed a zoom climb to a world record 98,557 ft (30,040 m).^[8][36] Commander Lawrence E. Flint Jr., USN accelerated his aircraft to Mach 2.5 (2,660 km/h; 1,650 mph) at 47,000 ft (14,330 m) and climbed to 90,000 ft (27,430 m) at a 45° angle. He then shut down the engines and glided to the peak altitude. As the aircraft fell through 70,000 ft (21,300 m), Flint restarted the engines and resumed normal flight.^[37]
• On 5 September 1960, an F4H-1 averaged 1,216.78 mph (1,958.16 km/h) over a 500 km (311 mi) closed-circuit course.^[8]
• On 25 September 1960, an F4H-1F averaged 1,390.24 mph (2,237.37 km/h) over a 100 km (62.1 mi) closed-circuit course.^[8] FAIRecord File Number 8898.
• Operation LANA: To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Naval aviation (L is the
  Bendix trophy.^{[8][39][40][41]}
• Operation Sageburner: On 28 August 1961, a F4H-1F Phantom II averaged 1,452.777 kilometers per hour (902.714 miles per hour) over a 3 mi (4.82 km) course flying below 125 feet (38.1 m) at all times.[8] Commander J.L. Felsman, USN was killed during the first attempt at this record on 18 May 1961 when his aircraft disintegrated in the air after pitch damper failure.^[42]
• Operation Skyburner: On 22 November 1961, a modified Phantom with
  water injection, piloted by Lt. Col. Robert B. Robinson, set an absolute world record average speed over a 20-mile (32.2 km) long 2-way straight course of 1,606.342 mph (2,585.086 km/h).^{[8][43][44][45]}
• On 5 December 1961, another Phantom set a sustained altitude record of 66,443.8 feet (20,252 m).[8]
• Project High Jump: A series of time-to-altitude records was set in early 1962: 34.523 seconds to 3,000 m (9,840 ft), 48.787 seconds to 6,000 m (19,700 ft), 61.629 seconds to 9,000 m (29,500 ft), 77.156 seconds to 12,000 m (39,400 ft), 114.548 seconds to 15,000 m (49,200 ft), 178.5 s to 20,000 m (65,600 ft), 230.44 s to 25,000 m (82,000 ft), and 371.43 s to 30,000 m (98,400 ft).
  John Young.^[51][52]

The F-4 Phantom is a tandem-seat fighter-bomber designed as a carrier-based interceptor to fill the U.S. Navy's fleet defense fighter role. Innovations in the F-4 included an advanced pulse-Doppler radar and extensive use of titanium in its airframe.^[53]

Despite imposing dimensions and a maximum takeoff weight of over 60,000 lb (27,000 kg),^[54] the F-4 has a top speed Mach 2.23 and an initial climb rate of over 41,000 ft/min (210 m/s).^[55] The F-4's nine external hardpoints have a capability of up to 18,650 pounds (8,480 kg) of weapons, including air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, and unguided, guided, and thermonuclear weapons.^[56] Like other interceptors of its day, the F-4 was designed without an internal cannon.^[57]

The baseline performance of a Mach 2-class fighter with long-range and a bomber-sized payload would be the template for the next generation of large and light/middle-weight fighters optimized for daylight air combat.^[58]

Flight characteristics

"Speed is life" was F-4 pilots' slogan, as the Phantom's greatest advantage in air combat was acceleration

The J79 had a reduced time lag between the pilot advancing the throttle, from idle to maximum thrust, and the engine producing maximum thrust compared to earlier engines. While landing on USS Midway (CV-41) John Chesire's tailhook missed the arresting gear as he (mistakenly) reduced thrust to idle. He then slammed the throttle to full afterburner, the engine's response time being enough to return to full thrust quickly, and he was able get the Phantom airborne again successfully (bolter).^[20] The J79 produced noticeable amounts of black smoke (at mid-throttle/cruise settings), a severe disadvantage in that it made it easier for the enemy to spot the aircraft.^[61] Two decades after the aircraft entered service^[20] this was solved on the F-4S, which was fitted with the −10A engine variant with a smokeless combustor.^[62]

The lack of an internal gun "was the biggest mistake on the F-4", Chesire said; "Bullets are cheap and tend to go where you aim them. I needed a gun, and I really wished I had one." Marine Corps General

Note: Original amounts were in 1965 U.S. dollars.[63] The figures in these tables have been adjusted for inflation to the current year.

Operational history

United States Air Force

In USAF service, the F-4 was initially designated the F-110A

Although the F-4C was essentially identical to the Navy/Marine Corps F-4B in-flight performance and carried the AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, USAF-tailored F-4Ds initially arrived in June 1967 equipped with AIM-4 Falcons. However, the Falcon, like its predecessors, was designed to shoot down heavy bombers flying straight and level. Its reliability proved no better than others and its complex firing sequence and limited seeker-head cooling time made it virtually useless in combat against agile fighters. The F-4Ds reverted to using Sidewinders under the "Rivet Haste" program in early 1968, and by 1972 the AIM-7E-2 "Dogfight Sparrow" had become the preferred missile for USAF pilots. Like other Vietnam War Phantoms, the F-4Ds were urgently fitted with radar warning receivers to detect the Soviet-built S-75 Dvina SAMs.^[70]

From the initial deployment of the F-4C to Southeast Asia, USAF Phantoms performed both air superiority and ground attack roles, supporting not only ground troops in South Vietnam, but also conducting bombing sorties in Laos and North Vietnam. As the F-105 force underwent severe attrition between 1965 and 1968, the bombing role of the F-4 proportionately increased until after November 1970 (when the last F-105D was withdrawn from combat) it became the primary USAF tactical ordnance delivery system. In October 1972 the first squadron of EF-4C Wild Weasel aircraft deployed to Thailand on temporary duty.^[71] The "E" prefix was later dropped and the aircraft was simply known as the F-4C Wild Weasel.

Sixteen squadrons of Phantoms were permanently deployed to Indochina between 1965 and 1973, and 17 others deployed on temporary combat assignments.^[72] Peak numbers of combat F-4s occurred in 1972, when 353 were based in Thailand.^[73] A total of 445 Air Force Phantom fighter-bombers were lost, 370 in combat and 193 of those over North Vietnam (33 to MiGs, 30 to SAMs and 307 to AAA).^[73]

The RF-4C was operated by four squadrons,^[74] and of the 83 losses, 72 were in combat including 38 over North Vietnam (seven to SAMs and 65 to AAA).^[73] By war's end, the U.S. Air Force had lost a total of 528 F-4 and RF-4C Phantoms. When combined with U.S. Navy and Marine Corps losses of 233 Phantoms, 761 F-4/RF-4 Phantoms were lost in the Vietnam War.^[75]

On 28 August 1972, Captain

On 30 December 1960, VF-121 Pacemakers at NAS Miramar became the first Phantom operator with its F4H-1Fs (F-4As). The

During the war, U.S. Navy F-4 Phantom squadrons participated in 84 combat tours with F-4Bs, F-4Js, and F-4Ns. The Navy claimed 40 air-to-air victories at a cost of 73 Phantoms lost in combat (seven to enemy aircraft, 13 to SAMs and 53 to AAA). An additional 54 Phantoms were lost in mishaps.^[95]

In 1984, all Navy F-4Ns were retired from Fleet service in deployable USN squadrons and by 1987 the last F-4Ss were retired from deployable USN squadrons. On 25 March 1986, an F-4S belonging to the

The Marine Corps received its first F-4Bs in June 1962, with the Black Knights of VMFA-314 at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California becoming the first operational squadron. Marine Phantoms from VMFA-531 Grey Ghosts were assigned to Da Nang Air Base on South Vietnam's northeast coast on 10 May 1965 and were initially assigned to provide air defense for the USMC. They soon began close air support missions (CAS) and VMFA-314, VMFA-232 Red Devils, VMFA-323 Death Rattlers and VMFA-542 Bengals soon arrived at the primitive airfield.^[97] Marine F-4 pilots claimed three enemy MiGs (two while on exchange duty with the USAF) at the cost of 75 aircraft lost in combat, mostly to ground fire, and four in accidents.

The

The USAF and the US Navy had high expectations of the F-4 Phantom, assuming that the massive firepower, the best available on-board radar, the highest speed and acceleration properties, coupled with new tactics, would provide Phantoms with an advantage over the MiGs. However, in confrontations with the lighter MiG-21, F-4s did not always succeed and began to suffer losses.[100] Over the course of the air war in Vietnam, between 3 April 1965 and 8 January 1973, each side would ultimately claim favorable kill ratios.^[101]

During the war, U.S. Navy F-4 Phantoms claimed 40 air-to-air victories at a loss of seven Phantoms to enemy aircraft.^[95] USMC F-4 pilots claimed three enemy MiGs at the cost of one aircraft in air-combat. USAF F-4 Phantom crews scored 107+1⁄2 MiG kills (including 33+1⁄2 MiG-17s, eight MiG-19s and 66 MiG-21s) at a cost of 33 Phantoms in air-combat.^[73] F-4 pilots were credited with a total of 150+1⁄2 MiG kills at a cost of 42 Phantoms in air-combat.

According to the Vietnam People's Air Force (VPAF), 103 F-4 Phantoms were shot down by MiG-21s at a cost of 54 MiG-21s downed by F-4s.^[102] During the war, the VPAF lost 131 MiGs in air combat (63 MiG-17s, eight MiG-19s and 60 MiG-21s) of which one half were by F-4s.^[103]

From 1966 to November 1968, in 46 air battles conducted over North Vietnam between F-4s and MiG-21s, VPAF claimed 27 F-4s were shot down by MiG-21s at a cost of 20 MiG-21s^[104] In 1970, one F-4 Phantom was shot down by a MiG-21.^[105] The struggle culminated on 10 May 1972, with VPAF aircraft completing 64 sorties, resulting in 15 air battles. The VPAF claimed seven F-4s were shot down, while U.S. confirmed five F-4s were lost.^[105] The Phantoms, in turn, managed to destroy two MiG-21s, three MiG-17s, and one MiG-19.^[104] On 11 May, two MiG-21s, which played the role of "bait", brought the four F-4s to two MiG-21s circling at low altitude. The MiGs quickly engaged and shot down two F-4s. On 18 May, Vietnamese aircraft made 26 sorties in eight air engagements, which cost 4 F-4 Phantoms; Vietnamese fighters on that day did not suffer losses.^[104]

On 5 August 1967, the USS Forrestal was stationed off the Indochina coast to carry out strikes against North Vietnam. An electrical fault caused a

The Phantom has served with the air forces of many countries, including

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) leased 24 USAF F-4Es from 1970 to 1973 while waiting for their order for the

In 1979, the Egyptian Air Force purchased 35 former USAF F-4Es along with a number of Sparrow, Sidewinder and Maverick missiles from the U.S. for $594 million as part of the "Peace Pharaoh" program.[110] An additional seven surplus USAF aircraft were purchased in 1988.^[111] Three attrition replacements had been received by the end of the 1990s.^[108]

Egyptian F-4Es were retired in 2020, with their former base at Cairo West Air Base being reconfigured for the operation of F-16C/D Fighting Falcons.^[112]

Germany

The West German air force (Luftwaffe) initially ordered the reconnaissance RF-4E in 1969, receiving a total of 88 aircraft from January 1971.^[113] In 1973, under the "Peace Rhine" program, the Luftwaffe purchased 175 units of the F-4F. The “F” variant was a more agile version of the “E”, due to its lower weight and slatted wings. However this was achieved at the expense of reduced fuel capacity, and the elimination of AIM-7 Sparrow capability. These purchases made Germany the largest export customer for the Phantom.^[114]

In 1975, West Germany also received 10 F-4Es for training in the U.S. In the late 1990s, these were withdrawn from service after being replaced by F-4Fs.

In the 1960s and 1970s when the U.S. and Iran were on friendly terms, the U.S. delivered 225 F-4D, F-4E, and RF-4E Phantoms to Iran, making it the second largest export customer.^[125] The Imperial Iranian Air Force saw at least one engagement, resulting in a loss, after an RF-4C was rammed^[126] by a Soviet MiG-21 during Project Dark Gene, an ELINT operation during the Cold War.

The

On 5 June 1984, two Saudi Arabian fighter pilots shot down two Iranian F-4 fighters. The Royal Saudi Air Force pilots were flying American-built F-15s and fired air-to-air missiles to bring down the Iranian planes. The Saudi fighter pilots had Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker planes and Boeing E-3 Sentry AWACS surveillance planes assist in the encounter. The aerial fight occurred in Saudi airspace over the Persian Gulf near the Saudi island Al Arabiyah, about 60 miles northeast of Jubail.^[130]

Iranian F-4s were in use as of late 2014;

The Israeli Air Force acquired between 212 and 222^[133] newly built and ex-USAF aircraft, and modified several as one-off special reconnaissance variants. The first F-4Es, nicknamed "Kurnass" (Sledgehammer), and RF-4Es, nicknamed "Orev" (Raven), were delivered in 1969 under the "Peace Echo I" program. Additional Phantoms arrived during the 1970s under "Peace Echo II" through "Peace Echo V" and "Nickel Grass" programs. Israeli Phantoms saw extensive combat during Arab–Israeli conflicts, first seeing action during the War of Attrition.^[134] In the 1980s, Israel began the "Kurnass 2000" modernization program which significantly updated avionics.^[22] The last Israeli F-4s were retired in 2004.^[135]

Japan

From 1968, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) purchased a total of 140 F-4EJ Phantoms without aerial refueling, AGM-12 Bullpup missile system, nuclear control system or ground attack capabilities.^[136][137] Mitsubishi built 138 under license in Japan and 14 unarmed reconnaissance RF-4Es were imported. One of the aircraft (17-8440) was the last of the 5,195 F-4 Phantoms to be produced. It was manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries on 21 May 1981. "The Final Phantom" served with 306th Tactical Fighter Squadron and later transferred to the 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron.^[138]

Of these, 96 F-4EJs were modified to the F-4EJ Kai (改, modified) standard.

The 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron then became the sole user of the F-4EJ in the Air Defense Command, with their retirement originally scheduled in 2021 along with the unit's transition to the F-35A.[145] However, on 20 November 2020, the 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron announced the earlier retirement of their remaining F-4EJs, concluding the Phantom's long-running career in the JASDF Air Defense Command.^[146] Although retirement was announced, the 301st TFS continued operations up until 10 December 2020, with the squadron's Phantoms being decommissioned on 14 December.^[147] Two F-4EJs and a F-4EJ Kai continued to be operated by the Air Development and Test Wing in Gifu Prefecture until their retirement on 17 March 2021, marking an end of Phantom operations in Japan.^[148]

South Korea

The Republic of Korea Air Force acquired its first batch of used USAF F-4D Phantoms in 1968 under the "Peace Spectator" program. The F-4Ds continued to be delivered until 1988. The "Peace Pheasant II" program also provided new-built and former USAF F-4Es.^[149] It operated 92 F-4D units, 27 RF-4C units, and 103 F-4E units.^[150] The ROKAF plans to retire all 19 remaining F-4E units in 2024.^[151]

Spain

The

The

The United Kingdom bought versions based on the U.S. Navy's F-4J for use with the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. The UK was the only country outside the United States to operate the Phantom at sea, with them operating from HMS Ark Royal. The main differences were the use of the British Rolls-Royce Spey engines and of British-made avionics. The RN and RAF versions were given the designation F-4K and F-4M respectively, and entered service with the British military aircraft designations Phantom FG.1 (fighter/ground attack) and Phantom FGR.2 (fighter/ground attack/reconnaissance).^[169][170]

Initially, the FGR.2 was used in the ground attack and reconnaissance role, primarily with RAF Germany, while 43 Squadron was formed in the air defense role using the FG.1s that had been intended for the Fleet Air Arm for use aboard HMS Eagle. The superiority of the Phantom over the English Electric Lightning in terms of both range and weapons system capability, combined with the successful introduction of the SEPECAT Jaguar, meant that, during the mid-1970s, most of the ground attack Phantoms in Germany were redeployed to the UK to replace air defense Lightning squadrons.^[171] A second RAF squadron, 111 Squadron, was formed on the FG.1 in 1979 after the disbandment of 892 NAS.

In 1982, during the Falklands War, three Phantom FGR2s of No. 29 Squadron were on active Quick Reaction Alert duty on Ascension Island to protect the base from air attack.^[172] After the Falklands War, 15 upgraded ex-USN F-4Js, known as the F-4J(UK) entered RAF service to compensate for one interceptor squadron redeployed to the Falklands.^[117]

Around 15 RAF squadrons received various marks of Phantom, many of them based in Germany. The first to be equipped was

The interceptor Phantoms were replaced by the Panavia Tornado F3 from the late 1980s onwards. Originally to be used until 2003,^[174] it was set back to 1992 due to restructuring of the British Armed Forces^[175] and the last combat British Phantoms were retired in October 1992 when No. 74(F) Squadron was disbanded.^[22][173] Phantom FG.1 XT597 was the last British Phantom to be retired on 28 January 1994, it was used as a test jet by the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment for its whole service life.^[176][177]

Civilian use

Sandia National Laboratories expended an F-4 mounted on a "rocket sled" in a crash test to record the results of an aircraft impacting a reinforced concrete structure, such as a nuclear power plant.^[178]

One aircraft, an F-4D (civilian registration NX749CF), is operated by the Massachusetts-based non-profit organization Collings Foundation as a "living history" exhibit.^[22][179] Funds to maintain and operate the aircraft, which is based in Houston, Texas, are raised through donations/sponsorships from public and commercial parties.^[180][181]

After finding the

F-4 Phantom comparisons

F-4E Phantom (US/Foreign export)

F-4K Phantom (RN FAA/RAF only)

F-4A, B, J, N and S

Variants for the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps. F-4B was upgraded to F-4N, and F-4J was upgraded to F-4S.

F-110 (original USAF designation for F-4C), F-4C, D and E

Variants for the U.S. Air Force. F-4E introduced an internal M61 Vulcan cannon. The F-4D and E were the most numerously produced, widely exported, and also extensively used under the

Semi Automatic Ground Environment

(SAGE) U.S. air defense system.

F-4G Wild Weasel V

A dedicated

SEAD

variant for the U.S. Air Force with updated radar and avionics, converted from F-4E. The designation F-4G was applied earlier to an entirely different U.S. Navy Phantom.

F-4K and M

Variants for the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, respectively, re-engined with Rolls-Royce Spey turbofan engines.

F-4EJ and RF-4EJ

Simplified F-4E exported to and license-built in Japan. Some modified for reconnaissance role, carrying photographic and/or electronic reconnaissance pods and designated RF-4EJ.

F-4F

Simplified F-4E exported to Germany.

QRF-4C, QF-4B, E, G, N and S

Retired aircraft converted into remote-controlled target drones used for weapons and defensive systems research by

USN / USMC

.

RF-4B, C, and E

Tactical reconnaissance variants.

Current

 Greece

• Hellenic Air Force – 18 F-4E AUPs in service^[183]
  • Andravida Air Base, Elis
    • 338th Fighter-Bomber Squadron

 Iran

• Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force – 62 F-4D, F-4E, and RF-4Es in service^[183][184]
  • Bandar Abbas Air Base, Hormozgan Province
    • 91st Tactical Fighter Squadron (F-4E)
  • Bushehr Air Base, Bushehr Province
    • 61st Tactical Fighter Squadron (F-4E)
  • Chabahar Konarak Air Base, Sistan and Baluchestan Province
    • 101st Tactical Fighter Squadron (F-4D)
  • Hamadan Air Base, Hamadan Province
    • 31st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (RF-4E)
    • 31st Tactical Fighter Squadron (F-4E)

 South Korea

• Republic of Korea Air Force – 19 F-4E units in service^[183] (to be retired in June 2024)^[151]
  • Suwon Air Base, Gyeonggi Province
    • 153rd Fighter Squadron

 Turkey

• Turkish Air Force – 54 F-4E 2020 Terminators in service^[183]
  • Eskişehir Air Base
    , Eskişehir Province
    • 111 Filo

Former operators

 Australia

• Royal Australian Air Force (F-4E 1970 to 1973)^[185]

 Egypt

• Egyptian Air Force (F-4E 1977 to 2020)^[112]

 Germany

• German Air Force (RF-4E 1971 to 1994; F-4F 1973 to 2013; F-4E 1978 to 1992)^[186]

 Greece

• Hellenic Air Force (RF-4E 1978 to 2017)^[124]

 Pahlavi Iran

• Imperial Iranian Air Force (F-4D 1968 to 1979; F-4E 1971 to 1979; RF-4E 1971 to 1979)^[187]

 Israel

• Israeli Air Force (F-4E 1969 to 2004;^[188] RF-4C 1970 to 1971;^[189] RF-4E 1971 to 2004)^[190]

 Japan

• Japan Air Self-Defense Force (F-4EJ 1971 to 2021;^[148] RF-4E 1974 to 2020; RF-4EJ 1992 to 2020)^[191]

 South Korea

• Republic of Korea Air Force (F-4D 1969 to 2010;^[192] RF-4C 1989 to 2014)^[193]

 Spain

• Spanish Air Force (F-4C 1971 to 1990; RF-4C 1978 to 2002)^[194]

 Turkey

• Turkish Air Force (RF-4E 1980 to 2015)^[195]

 United Kingdom

• Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (F-4K 1970 to 1994)^[196]
• Fleet Air Arm (F-4K 1968 to 1978)^[171]
• Royal Air Force (F-4M 1968 to 1992; F-4K 1969 to 1990; F-4J(UK) 1984 to 1991)^[171]

 United States

• NASA (F-4A 1965 to 1967;^[197] F-4C 1983 to 1985)^[182]
• United States Air Force (F-4B 1963 to 1964;^[198] F-4C 1964 to 1989;^[199] RF-4C 1964 to 1995;^[200] F-4D 1965 to 1992; F-4E 1967 to 1991;^[199] F-4G 1978 to 1996;^[198] QF-4 1996 to 2016)^[201]
• United States Marine Corps (F-4B 1962 to 1979; RF-4B 1965 to 1990; F-4J 1967 to 1984;^[202] F-4N 1973 to 1985;^[203] F-4S 1978 to 1992)^[202]
• United States Navy (F-4A 1960 to 1968; F-4B 1961 to 1974; F-4J 1966 to 1982; F-4N 1973 to 1984; F-4S 1979 to 1987; QF-4 1983 to 2004)^[204]

Culture

Nicknames

The Phantom gathered a number of nicknames during its career. Some of these names included "Snoopy", "Rhino", "Double Ugly",

Imitating the spelling of the aircraft's name, McDonnell issued a series of patches. Pilots became "Phantom Phlyers", backseaters became "Phantom Pherrets", fans of the F-4 "Phantom Phanatics", and call it the "Phabulous Phantom". Ground crewmen who worked on the aircraft are known as "Phantom Phixers".[4]

Several active websites are devoted to sharing information on the F-4, and the aircraft is grudgingly admired as brutally effective by those who have flown it. Colonel (Ret.) Chuck DeBellevue reminisced, "The F-4 Phantom was the last plane that looked like it was made to kill somebody. It was a beast. It could go through a flock of birds and kick out barbeque from the back."^[211] It had "A reputation of being a clumsy bruiser reliant on brute engine power and obsolete weapons technology."^[212]

The Spook

The aircraft's emblem is a whimsical cartoon ghost called "The Spook", which was created by McDonnell Douglas technical artist, Anthony "Tony" Wong, for shoulder patches. The name "Spook" was coined by the crews of either the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing or the 4453rd Combat Crew Training Wing at

As a result of its extensive number of operators and large number of aircraft produced, there are many F-4 Phantom II of numerous variants on display worldwide.

Notable accidents

• On 6 June 1971, Hughes Airwest Flight 706, a McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31 collided in mid-air with a United States Marine Corps F-4B Phantom above the San Gabriel Mountains, while en route from Los Angeles International Airport to Salt Lake City. All 49 on board the DC-9 were killed, while the pilot of the F-4B was unable to eject and died when the aircraft crashed shortly afterwards. The F-4B's Radar Intercept Officer successfully ejected from the plane and parachuted to safety, being the sole survivor of the incident.
• On 9 August 1974, a Royal Air Force Phantom FGR2 was involved in a fatal collision with a civilian PA-25-235 Pawnee crop-sprayer over Norfolk, England.^[214]
• On 17 August 1978, during a training exercise of the Mediterranean Sea, a US Navy F-4 shot down another US Navy F-4 with an AIM-9H. The pilots of the downed aircraft ejected and were recovered.^[215]
• On 21 March 1987, Captain
  163d Tactical Fighter Group of the California Air National Guard and son of entertainer Dean Martin, crashed his F-4C into San Gorgonio Mountain, California, shortly after departure from March Air Force Base. Both Martin and his weapon systems officer (WSO) Captain Ramon Ortiz were killed.^[216]
• On 22 September 1987, a US Air Force (USAF) RF-4C Phantom II was shot down by a US Navy F-14 Tomcat during training NATO Exercise Display Determination 87 over the Mediterranean. The RF-4C was conducting a simulated attack on USS Saratoga when the F-14 pilot became confused and launched a live AIM-9 Sidewinder. The RF-4C crew ejected and were recovered.^[217][218]
• On 30 January 2023, a Greek Air Force F-4E Phantom II crashed into the Ionian Sea. The aircraft was conducting a training exercise when it crashed 46 km south of the Andravida Air Base. The pilot, Captain Efstathios Tsitlakidis, and co-pilot, First Lieutenant Marios Michael Touroutsikas were killed in the crash.^[219][220]

Specifications (F-4E)

Data from The Great Book of Fighters^[117] Quest for Performance,^[21] Encyclopedia of USAF Aircraft,^[63] and McDonnell F-4 Phantom: Spirit in the Skies^[221]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 63 ft 0 in (19.2 m)
• Wingspan: 38 ft 5 in (11.7 m)
• Width: 27 ft 7 in (8.4^[222] m) wing folded
• Height: 16 ft 5 in (5 m)
• Wing area: 530 sq ft (49.2 m²)
• Aspect ratio: 2.77
• Airfoil: NACA 0006.4–64 root, NACA 0003-64 tip
• Empty weight: 30,328 lb (13,757 kg)
• Gross weight: 41,500 lb (18,824 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 61,795 lb (28,030 kg)
  
• Maximum landing weight: 36,831 lb (16,706 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 1,994 US gal (1,660 imp gal; 7,550 L) internal, 3,335 US gal (2,777 imp gal; 12,620 L) with 2x 370 US gal (310 imp gal; 1,400 L) external tanks on the outer wing hardpoints and either a 600 or 610 US gal (500 or 510 imp gal; 2,300 or 2,300 L) tank for the center-line station.
• Powerplant: 2 ×
  General Electric J79-GE-17A
  after-burning turbojet engines, 11,905 lbf (52.96 kN) thrust each dry, 17,845 lbf (79.38 kN) with afterburner

Performance

• Maximum speed: 1,280 kn (1,470 mph, 2,370 km/h) at 40,000 ft (12,000 m)
• Maximum speed: Mach 2.23
• Cruise speed: 510 kn (580 mph, 940 km/h)
• Combat range: 370 nmi (420 mi, 680 km)
• Ferry range: 1,457 nmi (1,677 mi, 2,699 km)
• Service ceiling: 60,000 ft (18,000 m)
• Rate of climb: 41,300 ft/min (210 m/s)
• Lift-to-drag: 8.58
• Wing loading: 78 lb/sq ft (380 kg/m²)
• MTOW
• Takeoff roll: 4,490 ft (1,370 m) at 53,814 lb (24,410 kg)
• Landing roll: 3,680 ft (1,120 m) at 36,831 lb (16,706 kg)

Armament

• E-model has a
  M61A1 Vulcan
  cannon mounted internally under the nose, 640 rounds
• Up to 18,650 lb (8,480 kg) of weapons on nine external hardpoints, including general-purpose bombs, cluster bombs, TV- and laser-guided bombs, rocket pods, air-to-ground missiles, anti-ship missiles, gun pods, and nuclear weapons. Reconnaissance, targeting, electronic countermeasures and baggage pods, and external fuel tanks may also be carried.
• 4× AIM-9 Sidewinders on wing pylons, Israeli F-4 Kurnass 2000 carried Python-3, Japanese F-4EJ Kai carry AAM-3.
• 4× AIM-7 Sparrow in fuselage recesses, upgraded Hellenic F-4E and German F-4F ICE carry AIM-120 AMRAAM, UK Phantoms carried Skyflash missiles^[223]
• 6× AGM-65 Maverick
• 4× AGM-62 Walleye
• 4× AGM-45 Shrike, AGM-88 HARM, AGM-78 Standard ARM
• 4× GBU-15
• 18×
  GBU-12
• 5×
  GBU-10, GBU-14
• 18×
  CBU-87, CBU-89, CBU-58
• Nuclear weapons, including the B28EX, B61, B43 and B57

See also

• F-4 Phantom II in fiction
• Operation Bolo

Related development

• McDonnell F3H Demon
• McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1/FGR.2/F.3

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Dassault Mirage III
• English Electric Lightning
• Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
• Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23
• Republic F-105 Thunderchief
• Saab 35 Draken
• Shenyang J-8
• Sukhoi Su-15
• Vought XF8U-3 Crusader III

Related lists

• List of fighter aircraft
• List of military aircraft of the United States

References

Notes

1. ^ The aircraft was originally designated the AH, and later re-designated F4H, by the United States Navy, while the U.S. Air Force's original designation was "F-110A Spectre". The F-4 designation came about in 1962 when the designation systems for all branches of the U.S. military were unified by the order of U.S. Defense Secretary Robert McNamara. Within McDonnell Aircraft, the F-4 was referred to as Model 98.^[2]

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External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
F-4 Phantom II (category)

Wikisource has several original texts related to Audio recordings and transcripts with comments of actual Wild Weasel combat missions over Vietnam..

• F-4 Phantom II history page on Boeing.com
• F-4 Phantom II Society site
• PhantomF4K.org – Fleet Air Arm – Royal Navy site
• F-4.nl site
• Countering Israeli Reaction to F-4 Sales to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Archived 20 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
• 8th Tactical Fighter Wing site
• F-4 Phantom II articles and publications, theaviationindex.com
• The Phantom page with images on fas.org
• ""'Silver Lobos' fly into retirement", af.mil". Archived from the original on 12 February 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2004.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
• "The Phantom Turns 50" article at Fence Check site
• F-4 Phantom page on Aerospaceweb.org
• RAF Phantom Losses
• The Phantom Zone
• A film clip of McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is available for viewing at the Internet Archive
• Phantom 50th Anniversary Slideshow