F-4 Phantom II

The F-4 Phantom II is a twin engine all-weather multi-role fighter/bomber that is used for air superiority, interdiction and close air support roles. First flown in May 1958, it was initiallly designed as a Navy fighter but went on to become one of the world's most successful combat aircraft developed after World War II. During the Vietnam War, it was the single most important Allied combat aircraft and was used for both ground attack and air-to-air combat.

Before we go on further, you may be wondering what is this guy on the left doing here ? Allow me to introduce him. This little guy is called the "Spook". He is the mascot for the F- 4 Phantom and has been around since the beginning. A special salute to those who built, maintained and flew this great aircraft.
The F- 4 Phantom II actually started as an enhanced version of McDonnell Aircraft Company's F- 3H Demon. It went through many changes over the years, but the versions most commonly used in service during the Vietnam era were the Navy's F- 4B and F- 4J and the Air Force's F-4C, F-4D and the F-4E. The definitive F-4E first flew in June 1967, and was equipped with a 20-mm internal cannon. Prior to this, the Phantom has no weapon but relied mainly on its Sparrow and Sidewinder missiles.
One interesting difference between the Navy and Air Force versions of the F- 4 is the Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) also called the GIB (Guy In Back). In the Navy plane, he is the dedicated radar watcher and weapon shooter. In the Air Force, the GIB had a stick and could fly the plane. The Navy jets had a hole in the deck where the stick was in the Air Force plane.
Phantom II production ended in 1979 after over 5,000 had been built - more than 2,600 for the USAF, about 1,200 for the Navy and Marine Corps, and the rest for friendly foreign nations.

F- 4E Specifications
Length:	19.20 m
Height:	5.02 m
Wing span:	11.71 m
Wing area:	49.24 sq m
Width (wings folded):	8.41m
Empty weight:	13,757 kg
Combat take off weight:	18,818 kg
Maximum take off weight:	28,030 kg
Performance
Max. speed:	Mach 2 +
Average speed:	934 km/hr
Service ceiling:	18,975 m
Maximum rate of climb at sea level:	18,715 m/min
Interception combat radius:	683 nm or 1266 km
Propulsion
Powerplant:	Two General Electric J79-GE-17A turbojets each rated at 52.53 kN dry and 79.62 kN with afterburning.
Armament
One M-61A1 20 mm cannon with 640 rounds ammunition in the right wing root. Maximum ordnance up to 7,258 kg including:- - 4 AIM-7F/M Sparrows. - 4 AIM-9L/M Sidewinders. - or a combination of Sparrows, Sidewinders and AIM-120 AMRAAMs plus a wide variety of bombs, rockets, LGBs and fuel tanks.

F- 4 Phantom Variants
YF-4H	Early development.
F4H-1F or F-4A	First production fighter for US Navy; re-designated from F4H-1F. Only 45 F-4As were built and they were assigned mainly on research and training roles. First flew on 18 September 1962.
TF-4A	US Navy; Shore-based trainers.
F4H-1 or F-4B	1962; US Navy; re-designated from F4H-1. 649 were built.
QF-4B	US Navy; Former 'B' airframes used as target drones for testing supersonic missiles
RF-4B	Unarmed day/night reconnaissance aircraft based on F4H-1, but with longer nose holding cameras and IR sensors, used by US Marines; 46 built
NF-4B	'B' model used for development testing; 1 converted
EF-4B	'B' model refitted for ECM training; 1 converted
EF-4C	USAF; F-4Cs converted for electronic countermeasure (ECM) duties.
F-4C	1963; Initial variant re-designated from F-110A "Spectre". Attack fighter for US Air Force; 635 built
RF-4C	Production tactical reconnaissance model for USAF based on F-4C airframe but fitted with RF-4B equipment; 499 built
F-4D	1965; Air Force model specifically tailored to USAF fighter and strike missions; 773 built (of which 68 later transferred to Iran and South Korea)
F-4E	USAF; Improved strike model with improved engines, increased fuel capacity, redesigned nose containing smaller radar, leading-edge slats, and first model equipped with 20-mm cannon; 1,405 built
RF-4E	1969;reconnaissance version for export only. 130 built
F-4EJ Kai	Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) version of the F-4Es. Built under license by Mitsubishi and Kawasaki; 139 built
F-4F & TF-4F	Produced for Luftwaffe. The TF-4Fs are the operational trainers. 175 built
F-4G	1963; US Navy; improvements include electronic upgrades. In 1976, the F-4Gs were re-assigned to a USAF version for use in the "Wild Weasel" defence suppression role.
F-4H	Designation not used to avoid confusion with F4H-1.
F-4J & RF-4J	1966; US Navy carrier fighter with drooping ailerons & slotted tailplanes for slower landing approach.
YF-4J	US Navy; F-4B equipped with Pulse Doppler Radar.
F-4K or FG.1	British carrier-based model based on F-4J; 50 built
F-4M or FGR.2	British Royal Air Force model; 116 built
F-4N	Navy/Marines 'B' models upgraded with new avionics and strengthened structure; 228 converted
QF-4N	'N' models converted to target drones
F-4S	Navy/Marines 'J' models upgraded with stronger structure and leading-edge slats
Kurnass 2000	Israeli upgraded version

Phantom Operators
Australia	Egypt	Germany
Greece	Iran	Israel
Japan	Korea	Spain
Turkey	United Kingdom	United States