For a quarter-century, the McDonnell F-4 Phantom II has risen from land and sea to take command of the air, to carry out the strike mission, to fight MiGs, and to join the Thunderbolt, Mustang and Sabre among the immortals of American fighter aviation. Its bent wings, drooped tail and twin-engine configuration a trademark, the Phantom was the first aircraft which could detect, intercept and destroy any target within its radar range without assistance from surface-based radar. Built as an interceptor, it became a MiG killer, but it also excelled at ground attack, 'fast FAC', reconnaissance, and other duties.
The F-4A (US Navy F4H-1F) was a developmental variant, the first making its maiden flight at St Louis on 27 May 1958. It was followed by the US Navy's operational F-4B (F4H-1), powered by two 7711kg afterburning thrust General Electric J79-GE-8 engines. The F-4B model attained an altitude record of 30040m on 6 December 1959, a speed record of 2585km/h on 22 November 1961, and a low-altitude speed record of 1452km/h on 20 August 1962, the last-named not being beaten for 16 years!
The EF-4B designation went to one airframe used for ECM training, and two modified, development airframes bore the NF-4B designation. The QF-4B is a drone conversion. The RF-4B reconnaissance derivative served only with the US Marine Corps.
The F-4C (F-110A) was the US Air Force's first Phantom, the first example being flown on 27 May 1963. The F-4C became operational with the 12th and 15th Tactical Fighter Wings at MacDill AFB, Florida, in January 1964. Some 583 were built, 40 being transferred to Spain. The service-test YRF-4C (YRF-110A) led to the RF-4C (RF-110A), 499 of which were constructed for the photo-reconnaissance role. The F-4D Phantom fighter-bomber introduced a capability to deliver precision-guided munitions (PGM), or 'smart' bombs. Some 825 were built, including 32 delivered new to Iran and 36 transferred to South Korea.
Once in action in Vietnam in 1965, the Phantom seemed to need a gun to augment its missile armament in close-quarter battles with MiGs. The SUU-16/A 20mm external gun pod was an interim measure. The F-4E, first flown on 7 August 1965, introduced more powerful J79-GE-17 engines but its principal change was the internally-mounted M61A1 20mm cannon. Although superior pilot training would later prove more important than the cannon in establishing a 2.5-to-1 kill advantage over North Vietnamese MiG-17, MiG-19 and MiG-21 fighters, the F-4E became the definitive Phantom, and 1,397 rolled off the line. Examples were supplied to Australia (on loan), Greece, Iran, Israel, Turkey, South Korea and West Germany; and 140 F-4EJs were licence-built by Mitsubishi in Japan. The RF-4E was an export reconnaissance derivative, supplied to Greece, Iran, Israel, Japan and West Germany.
By the mid-1960s, the Phantom was just about the best-known fighter in the world. On 2 January 1967 in Operation 'Bolo', F-4Cs of the 8th TFW under Colonel Robin Olds shot down seven North Vietnamese MiGs. Increasingly, F-4Ds took over from the Republic F-105 the job of bringing ordnance to bear on Vietnamese ground targets. Visitors to St Louis, where McDonnell took over Douglas in 1967, wanted not merely to see the heavy, complex fighter put together by Herman Barkey's design team, but to buy it.
The F-4F was a specialised air superiority version for the West German Luftwaffe, and 175 were delivered. The F-4G designation had been used initially for 12 aircraft taken from the US Navy F-4B production line. They had the two-way ASW-21 data-link system for automated carrier landings, and all later reverted to F-4B standard. In the 1970s, the F-4G appellation was used again for the US Air Force's 'Advanced Wild Weasel' electronic warfare aircraft, 116 of which were converted from F-4E standard. Originally seen as a counter to enemy SAM missile sites and associated radars, the F-4G now carries out a wide portfolio of electronic missions. Aircraft are stationed as far afield as the 3rd TFW Clark Field, Philippines, and 52nd TFW, Spangdahlem AB, West Germany.
The F-4J was an improved production fighter for the US Navy with 8119kg afterburning thrust J79-GE-10 engines, enlarged wing and improved avionics. The F-4K was developed for the UK's Royal Navy and the F-4M for the Royal Air Force, though both are now operated by the latter service which, with expanded commitments following the 1982 Falklands war, has also inherited 15 ex-US Navy F-4Js. The F-4N is an upgraded 'rebuild' of the F-4B, and has in turn been converted to the QF-4N drone. The F-4S is an upgraded F-4J with wing manoeuvre slats and was the final Phantom variant to serve aboard an aircraft carrier, with VF-151 and -161 aboard the USS Midway.
Phantoms serve widely with the Reserve and Air National Guard and are likely to remain in front-line service with some air forces into the 21st century.
I flew the F4m RAF DFGA version for seven years and was RAF Germany's low level aerobatic display pilot with John Cosgrove as Nav.Used to end the display with two vertical rolls starting at 20 feet RA 650 kts indicated hitting 30000feet in 35 seconds...Unforgetable fantastic performance from a cold war Jet.Met some ex NVA Mig pilots in 1995 in the old East Germany and they couldn't believe the look up radar ranges we had from our F4m radar at low level.Thank goodness we never had to use it in anger...The best war bird of its day.
The only thing I love more than the F-4 is my family. It looked so ugly it was beautiful. As a reservist I flew it over in Nam 68-69 with VF-161 on board CVA-43 Coral Sea. Trained in the J's but combat was in the B's. Like some people have already said, "It could take a beatin' but keep on tickin'. I'd love to saddle one of them back up again for another mission. What a graceful beast.
Great fighter in its day. Flew it on and off from 1968 (RAF FGR2) in 1974-77 F-4C at Luke AFB and FGR2 in the Falklands off the metal strip at RAF Stanley - every landing into the cable. Took one from UK to Singapore, another from UK to Ascension Island and return. She never let me down badly in 3000hrs - same number of take-offs as landings and not a scratch on any of them. In the 310th at Luke we won the Turkey Shoot 3 months in a row using a fixed depressable sight for air-to-ground and beat the F-15s many times on combat dart - even got a kill on the F-15s with a dart in tow! Thnkyou Uncle Mac.
I was clerk to the flying safety officer at Shaw AFB in 1965. My office was right next to the flight line and the F4's often reved up right outside. I have lost 70% of my hearing in both ears and this is the only exposure to loud piercing noises in my entire career. The rest of it occuring later was in banking. Can you supply the decibel level generated by the engines they used?
William John Forbes, e-mail, 16.12.2022 Dan Chance
Hi Mr. Chance
Did anyone ever provide the decibel levels for the F-4 or can you point me in the right direction? I am a semi retired attorney who is now representing Vets in their fight with the VA. Any help would be appreciated. Best Bill
David Hilscher, e-mail, 04.03.2024 William John Forbes
Bill, were you ever able to get any decibel level for the F-4? I am trying to get that information myself having served in the sixties working in close proximity to where their afterburners were activated on takeoff. Any information would be appreciated. Thank you.
The RF-4C aircraft was the first jet I ever worked on. I was in AR (R&R) at SAFB SC from 78-81. Single airman working on F-4s and doing the recovery stuff was a great start to a thankful career. I was in hangar 1200 and worked with a great bunch of guys. Had a super shop chief MSgt Moody. Good memories for sure. Used to sneek out to EOR at night and watch them land from a very close distance...very impressive no doubt!
For ten years I got to fly the RF-4C, F-4D, and F-4E. Between being a Fast Fac SCAR pilot in the RF or Air to Air in the E, I can't decide which was more fun. I've gotten to fly numerous other planes, but none will ever match the Phantom
I count my blessings daily and my 4 years of flying the fabulous Phantom was the highlight of a unique and adventuruous 36 year aviation career. My book, The Rogue Aviator, will give the reader plenty of exhilirating nostalgic flashbacks as author Ace Abbott describes some "out-of-the-box" F-4 experiences. Ace Abbott /aka Allen Morris
Worked on the F-4D's with the 301 TFG, USAFR out of Bergstrom AFB, TX '85-'88. Got an incentive ride in one from Bergstrom to Holloman AFB, NM. Weather was bad so it was a staright and level flight. Almost made myself sick when the pilot let me fly for about 2 minutes over San Angelo, TX! To much stick inputs corrected way too late!! When offered a ride in an F-16, I proudly declined by saying, "I got a ride in a REAL airplane; an F-4!"
My first wonderful Fighter which saw me safely through 71 combat missions in Vietnam. It took me to over 60,000 feet and supersonic below sea level through Death Valley once. Oh what good memories and the folks I flew into combat with have a special bond and they are all Sierra Hotel!
DaNang, Nam '67-68,Crew Chief, 390th TFS, 366 TFW, F4C /D. Best plane God blessed us with. Nothing more sweeter than the howling sound she made and the black smoke trail behind her as she returned safely and intact from a mission. Holloman AFB, NM after that. 3 1 /2 years under her wings. Thank you, Lord.
USAF 1966-1970. Other than training,served all my time at Hahn AFB,Germany in Structural Repair. Replaced many wing tips on the F4-D. Proud to have served and had the connection to such a powerful bird. Never failed to watch one take off or fly by........
I worked RF4's at Shaw AFB '69, C's D's and E's at DaNang '70 and DM '71 '72. I worked auto flight controls. To this day the smell of hydraulic fluid or burned kerosine turns my brain into a time machine and takes me back to those days when I crawled all over those fantastic machines. They were the cutting edge of the time. Remember the whooping sound when the boundry air blew over the flaps when they were lowered in the pattern and the flames with blue shock diamonds blasting from the engines in Ab? What sights to see and jobs to do at 19 years old!!!
Worked on C models at Hahn, D model at Torrejon, and was fortunate enough to work on them again at Wright-Patterson for the Reserve outfit there. The SPOOK will live forever.
Danang viet nam 1970 ,USAF our F4's looked pretty good to me flying over ,they might have looked ugly to the Vietcong and NVA with there mouth and teeth painted on ,just before dropping napalm on the trail
the three viw that you guys had will help me tons on a rc project of this plane it will be some time in the working though. this is just a starting point to base everything off of.
USAF 68-72, and was a weapons / munitions specialist on the F-4C /D /E models. What an impressive aircraft! Loved the "banshee howl" of the engines as it approached for landings. I loaded countless tons of ordnance in '69 at Udorn, Thailand as part of the 432 Munitions Maintenance Squadron supporting the 13th and 555th Fighter Squadrons.
To Jeff Joseph....did you ever know a Mr Chuck Benham,..he was our McD Rep for the Thunderbird F-4Es in 69-74. Just a super guy. Ditto with a Lt Col John Harty, also worked F-4s at McD, a pilot with the 131st MOANG in STL.
William John Forbes
Hi Mr. Chance
Did anyone ever provide the decibel levels for the F-4 or can you point me in the right direction? I am a semi retired attorney who is now representing Vets in their fight with the VA. Any help would be appreciated.
Best
Bill
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