The Mc Donnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II was a carrier-borne fighter-bomber used by the US Navy during the Vietnam War. There were also land-based versions operated by the US Air Force and Marine Corps. The prototype, the YF4H1, performed its first flight on May 27, 1958, with Robert C. Little being the test pilot. Three years later, in 1961, it entered service with the US Navy as the F-4H1, which would be re-designated F-4A in 1962. It would eventually be replaced by the Grumman F-14 Tomcat in the late 1970s as the main carrier-based fighter.
The Mc Donnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II had originally been designed and developed as an interceptor to meet the US Navy's need for an effective warplane that could protect the carrier battle group against enemy air raids. However, most of the combat sorties it flew in Southeast Asia and other parts of the world were ground-attack missions against enemy ground troops and air defense radar installations as there was a 'Wild Weasel' version (F-4C) of the aircraft. Several NATO European nations and Iran also acquired this famous combat aircraft.
Not only did the F-4 Phantom II break a high altitude flight record, with 30,218 m, but it would also become the fastest aircraft in Southeast Asia. It took part, along with the F-105 Thunderchief, in the first US air strikes against North Vietnam in Operation Rolling Thunder. The US Navy A-4 Skyhawk also participated in the bombing campaign. The F-4C Wild Weasel variant was equipped with the AN/APR-26 SAM-launch warning system; it would keep carrying out combat missions in Vietnam until the Richard Administration withdrew all its forces from the Southeast Asia theater.
Technical Characteristics
The F-4 Phantom II was a two-seat, jet twin-engine aircraft. It featured low wing, with a mixture of delta and swept wing design. The tip was cropped and slightly raised at an angle from the rest of wing. The whole tailplane, which was tilted downwards at 23 degrees, moved and functioned as elevator. The engines were set low in the fuselage an the air intakes were on the sides. The fuselage was made of titanium and other metals.
Variants: F-4A, F-4B, F-4C, F-4D, F-4E, and F-4G.
Specifications (F-4B)
Type: interceptor/fighter-bomber
Length: 17.75 m (58 ft, 3 in)
Wingspan: 11.71 m (38 ft, 5 in)
Wing Area: 49.24 square meters (530 sq. ft)
Height: 4.95 m (16 ft, 3 in)
Power Plant: two General Electric J79-8A turbojet engines with afterburners.
Maxium Speed: 2,390 km/h (1,482 mph)
Combat Range: 1,450 km (900 miles)
Radar: AN/APQ-100
Armament: 4 AIM-9 Sidewinder or 4 AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missiles; 3,500 kg of bombs.
Below, the F-4 Phantom II in service with the Royal Air Force
Two US Navy F-4B versions in flight over the Pacific.
Below, the F-4E of the US Marine Corps.
