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 this plane from 1967 to 1982, over 3300 hrs. Japan, Germany, USA, and Thailand. Great airplane, very strong and powerful, and absolutely the one to get you home. J-79 ran very well with only two failures during my time in the saddle. This was a hard to maintain airplane! I miss her!
Love this bird. I was on the weapons crew that loaded Steve Ritchie's F-4D in Udorn Thailand Aug 28 1972 for Mig #5. It was a proud day. Still hung over from the party. I still have the photo of me and my crew next to the plane taken during the photo session.
I was stationed at Miramar NAS in 1958 in VF-121 when we received our first f3-H Phantom, it replaced our worthless F3-H Demons. It was the most beautiful aircraft I had ever seen. It was then and still is today.
I served in VF-41 (Navy Fighter Squadron) when the F-4's were first received and went to Viet Nam aboard the USS Independence. The plane was a delight and very impressive. I still remember much about the aircraft as an aviation structure mechanic.
I was in the firsr radar class the Airforce ran thru Lowry AFB in 63 12 of us and one guy washed . . Got to McDill Dec 63 as part of the 12th TAC fighter wing which later changed to I believe the 9th. and had to wait for birds but got to work on old F84's. Went with 555 (triple nickle ) twice as the first phantoms in the far east in 64,Went to Naha Okinawa. Jumped to 558 /9th can't remember, squadron to go to Ubon Thailand in jan 1966. 555th went to Cham Ran Bay shortly after I left McDill. Spent a year in Ubon and was seperated Jan 67.Great experience every kid should go thru. Where can I get a Phantom Phixer patch for my Yankee hat. wahwahhorn@aol.com Best time of my life was with that beasty on the flight line.
After loading f-100's, mainly in VN, I went to Bentwaters RAF in England were I loaded F-4 C,D's with the 92nd TFS Armament 1970-71. When I first laded eyes on one it looked like it was doing 200MPH just sitting still. Always loved the plane but I have to say I never liked loading it. For me pylons were at a terrible height. They were too high for me to kneel and the wing was to low for me to stand. The other thing I hated was no two parts used the same tool, just having to carry all the different tools weighted you down in that "duck walk position". And man did it carry a lot of ordinance with TER's , MER's. and missiles. The Aim 7 missiles has the racks build up in fuselage another pain in the back, and to make matters worse the two aft racks where part of the frame, when taken out for maintenance if the plane was towed the frame would shift and the rack mounts no longer lined up. I remember spending half a day having the plane towed around in circles trying to get the mounts realigned. I began to look forward to the days when we loaded nukes. Add the cold and usually wet English weather, 18 months of loading this beauty as enough for me. If you were their send me and email.
USAF 1966-1970. Stationed at Eglin A.F. B. Florida. I was assigned to the 33TFW Headquarter Squadron, Office of Information. I have taken the picture of and I have the picture of the 2000th F-4 Phantom being delivered to the 33rd TFW. Also, I have the Article from the Eglin Eagle (2-Full Pages) from April 18, 1969, about the 4th TFS with the F-4E, being deployed to South East Asia. It was then assigned to the 366th TFW in DaNang AB, Vietnam. I took some of the pictures and wrote some of the articles. I had the Honor of being two or three office doors down from and working with Col Chappie James, Col Robert W. Maloy, and many other commanders. All I can say is Thank God for the F-4 Phantoms and the brave pilots that flew them.
Like crawling back into mother's womb! This Fighter is the last ever jet to have been flown by warriors who did so for love of country, but more so for love of the airplane itself. The electric jet jocks and Ego jet pilots of latter years will never understand the lump in the throat feeling when Phantom stories are told.
I LIKE TO SAY I CUT MY TEETH ON PHANTOMS, I ARRIVED AT MACDILL AFB, DEC 1963. WE RECEIVED F4-B'S BORROWED FROM THE NAVY. WORKED TEST CELL FOR 2 YEARS, THEN DISPATCH, THEN OFF TO CAM RAHN VN, CONTINUED WORKING FLIGHT LINE DISPATCH. LOVE THE OLE PHANTOM, JUST JOINED THE 12TFW ORGANIZATION. SHE IS NOW AT TYNDALL, PULLING DROWNS, THEN SHOT DOWN IN THE GULF. :(:(
In 1969, my first permanent duty assignment was on F-4E models at Homestead AFB, FL with the 4531st TFW. From there, I went to Tan Son Nhut Airbase, Vietnam and worked on RF-4C models with the 460th TRW, 12th TRS "Blackbirds". Then it was off to Ubon, Thailand with the 8th TFW where I was crew chief on 2 F-4D models with the 433rd TFS, "Satan's Angels". I was certain when I returned to the States that I would go to another F-4 base. Wrong!! The Air Force sent me to Columbus AFB, MS to work on T-37s! Back then, no one with F-4s on their record ever went to T-37s! Anyway, it was a good experience. I eventually re-enlisted so I could a base of preference and get back with the Phantoms. Ended up going back to Homestead with the 31st TFW. Later on after discharge, I worked with the Department of Defense at an aircraft overhaul facility in Birmingham, AL. Back on Phantoms again! There it was Navy and Marine B, J, N, and S models. I loved Phantoms then and still do today. I have one room in my house dedicated to the F-4. Fantastic airplane!!
To Larry Grove - Larry, your bird (63-7067) shows to have gone to Fritz, Enterprises in Taylor, Michigan in Sept 1999. Fritz = SCRAP. Sorry, Crew Dawg,...my D-model from 480th Phu Cat (69-70) went to same place in 1998. Your plane did carry an N number of N423FS at one time at Mojave. Not sure if still there,....but AMARG shows it went to FRITZ in 1999. :(
Was assigned to the 4453 cctw at MacDill till we moved to Davis-Monthan in mid 1964. Went to Nam in 1966 till 1967 with the 366th tfw 480th tfs at danang. came home in july 1967. was crewchief on 63-7607 and am going to find it in the desert in feb. 2012. Loved being a crewchief on the f-4c. In nam we were called the gunfighters for shooting down migs with our gatling guns.
i worked F4s at SJ NC Vietnam Phu Cat H S Fla Germany Han enjoyed working on them missed them awesome Airplane loved watching them take off in Nam fully loaded and come home emty
I was honored to have been one of the first crew chiefs of the F-4B's when the Air Force took possession in late 1963. We were sent to learn the aircraft under the Navy's supervision at Miramar in Calif. We were the 4453rd CCTS that was then moved to Davis-Monthan in Arizona. If anyone that was in this group happens to read this article I wouls appreciate it if you would contact me by E-mail.
Crewed the F4-E at Homestead AFB, 31st TFW 1972-1975 one tuff aircraft wasn't built for maintenance but sure was a great maintenance experience did it all in those days. Our unit also particpated in the Thailand rotation twice a year back then. Always amazed by the perfomance of this jet, loved watching those FCF takeoffs.
hppened to be looking on Mcdonnell Douglas F-4 PhantonII 1958 and saw you comments , that you where a clerk for flying Safety at SAFB S.C I was Born there in 1963 My dad was stationed there and was incharge of of team of mechanic on the F-4C His name was Robert( Bob) H Morris My uncle also was there .and I thing he was a training SGT Norman T Dockstader.If you happen to know them please wright back.Ho my neighbor was Thomas Odom He worked at the bakery on base.sorry the next comment on this page is mine , but I was thinking I was sanding it to aother comment.
hppened to be looking on Mcdonnell Douglas F-4 PhantonII 1958 and saw you comments , that you where a clerk for flying Safety at SAFB S.C I was Born there in 1963 My dad was stationed there and was incharge of of team of mechanic on the F-4C His name was Robert( Bob) H Morris My uncle also was there .and I thing he was a training SGT Norman T Dockstader.If you happen to know them please wright back.Ho my neighbor was Thomas Odom He worked at the bakery on base.I beleive the photo might help, the one how is kneeling down in frount is my father. Just looking for information.
