Shown in VMFA-251 colors.
F-4 Phantom II
History:
The F-4 is one of the most famous fighter
aircraft of the post-World War II era, having been used in large numbers
by the air forces of many western nations, where it gradually evolved in
capability and mission diversity. First flown on 27 May 1958, the
Phantom was developed as a private venture by McDonnell and was first
ordered by the US Navy as a carrier-based attack aircraft armed with a
20-mm cannon (the F-4B). Soon after its
introduction to active service in December 1960, a fly-off competition
was conducted between the Phantom and various frontline Air Force
fighters. The Phantom excelled in the competition in such a decisive way
that the US Air Force ordered a slightly different version of the
aircraft (the F-4C) and the Phantom went on to
equip over three-quarters of the USAF's fighter wings.
US involvement in the war in Vietnam saw the F-4 utilized in an
increasingly multi-role capacity, delivering bombs in huge
multi-aircraft formations, shooting down North Vietnamese MiGs, and
earning its rightful place in history. Improvements in the aircraft's
electronic systems, engines and airframe resulted in many variants,
including the F-4E (with more powerful
engines, leading-edge wing slats to improve maneuverability, and 20-mm
cannon); the RF-4E (export version designed
for tactical reconnaissance); the F-4F (air
superiority version for the German Luftwaffe, with
air-to-ground weapons system removed); the F-4G
("Wild Weasel" anti-missile version); and the F-4K/M
(Royal Navy/Royal Air Force versions, respectively).
The latest variant, and certainly the last, are the
QF-4N pilotless target drones operated by the
Pacific Missile Test Center at Point Mugu, California. The F-4 remains in service in several nations around
the world, including Germany, Japan, Greece, Turkey and South Korea.
Nicknames: Double
Ugly; Rhino; Old Smokey; Elephant (Luftwaffe nickname); Tomb
(early RAF nickname); Kurnass (Israeli nickname meaning
"Hammer")
Specifications (F-4E):
Engines: Two 17,900-pound
thrust afterburning General Electric J79-GE-17 turbojets
Weight: Empty 29,535 lbs., Max Takeoff 61,651 lbs.
Wing Span: 38ft. 5in.
Length: 63ft. 0in.
Height: 16ft. 6in.
Performance:
Maximum Speed: 1,485 mph (Mach 2.25) at 40,000
ft.
Ceiling: 62,250 ft.
Range: 1,100 miles
Armament:
One 20-mm M61A1 rotary cannon;
Four AIM-7 Sparrow missiles or 3,020 pounds of
weapons under fuselage;
Up to 12,980 pounds of various weapons on
underwing pylons.
Number Built: 5,195
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