SAM Modellers Datafile 12 - The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II Part 1 USAF Variants

DATAFILE

THE McDONNELL DOUGLAS

F-4 Phantom II A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE FOR THE MODELLER

Part 1: USAF Variants by Andy Evans

SAM PU BL I CAT IONS

Cover: 'E's and 'D's combine for a raid (© via Glenn Sands)

Modellers Datafile No.12 The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, Part 1: USAF Variants by Andy Evans First published in 2007 by SAM Publications Media House, 21 Kingsway, Bedford, MK42 9BJ, United Kingdom © 2007 SAM Publ ications © Andy Evans - Text © David Howley - Colou r artwork © David Howley - Scale plans

All rights reserved. No part of this publicat ion may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any other information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. ISB 0-955 1858-3-0 Typeset by SAM Publications, Media House, 21 Kingsway, Bedford, MK42 9B), United Kingdom Designed by Simon Sugarhood Printed and bound in the United Kingdom by PrinthaUs, Un ited Kingdom

The Modellers Datafile Series • No.1 - De Havilland Mosquito ' • No.2 - Hawker Hurrica ne' • No.3 - Supermarine Spitfire (Part I: Merli n-Powered) ' • No.4 - Avro Lancaster (Inc Manchester & Lincoln) • No.5 - Supermarine Spitfire (Part 2: Griffon-Powered) • No.6 - Bristol Beaufighter • No.7 - English Electric Lightning • No.8 - Gloster (& Armstrong-Whitworth) Meteor • No.9 - Messerschm itt Bf 109 (Part I Prototype to E Variants) • No.IO - Messerschmitt Bf 109 (Part 2 F to KVariants) • No.11 - British Aerospace Sea Harrier • Out of print

Acknowledgments Thanks are due to the following for their assistance with information and the loan of images and diagrams that populate this Datafile: Glenn Sands, Richard L. Ward, Mark Smith, Don Gilham, Curtiss Knowles, Gary Chambers, Mark Carlisle, Dennis Robinson, Ken Withers, Ben Brown, Larry McCarly, Gary Prettyman, Angelo Picardo, Phil Brandt, McDonnell Douglas Press Office, USAF Public Affairs and thanks are also due to Neil Robinson, Gary Hatcher and David Francis of SAM Publications. Authors Note: Whilst every care has been taken in the gathering of images for this book. either from original sources. via third party collections or the authors own archives. every effort has been made to identify and credit photographers responsible for the photograph and where possible and obtain the necessary permissions for their use. However the publishers cannot accept responsibility for any omissions beyond their control and should any persons feel their copyright has been inadvertent,," breached. please contact the au thor via the publisher.

,An;)'! t.uanJ September 2007

SAM PUBLICATIONS

Contents Introduction 5 Glossary 7 The F-4C and F-4D - 8 Chapter1

The F-4C - 8 The EF-4C - 14 The F-4C In Detail - 16 The F-4 Ejector Seat - 21 The F-4D - 24 Deployment to Vietnam - 32

The RF-4C - 38 Chapter 2

The RF-4C - 38 Camera Nose Details - 48 RF-4C Cockpit - 53

Colour Side-views - 54

Chapter

3

The F-4E - 62 The F-4E - 62 The F-4E in Vietnam - 70 ADC F-4E Keflavik - 74 Sharksmouth F-4E - 76 F-4E In Detail - 79 TISEO F-4E - 84 ARN-l Ol F-4E - 86 F-4E Cockpit - 88

The F-4G - 92 Chapter 4

Chapter

Chapter

The F-4G - 92 Gulf War F-4 - 98 The F-4G In Detail - 100

USAF Thunderbirds Display Team - 104

5

Thunderbirds - 104

6

QF-4 Drones - 106

QF-4 Drones - 106

Test and Evaluation Phantoms - 110 ChaPler 7

Test and Evaluation Phantoms - 110

ChaPler S

F-4D in 1/32 - 112 F-4G in 1/48 - 116 RF-4C in 1172 - 120

Phantom Kit Builds - 112

Appendices Appendix

I Kit Listing - 122 A guide to Phantom kits

Appendix

II Accessories and Conversions - 123 Add-ons and enhancements

Appendix

III Decals - 124 Available liveries for the Phantom

Appendix

IV USAF F-4 Main Differences - 125 Type comparison

Appendix

V Biblography - 126 A concise list of books, journals and periodicals

Index 127 Fold-out Plans - 1/72nd scale

Introduction

he F-4 Phantom is one of the most iconic and popular aircraft ever produced, and in this Modellers Datafile the USAF versions are those which command our attention. As the history, development and prototypes of the embryonic F-4 are beyond the scope of this book it is the intention to concentrate of the on the USAF in service types looking at each variant in turn. Within such a vast subject area as the F-4 Phantom it is impossible to cover every single aspect of the 'Spook' and its many makings options within the pages afforded this Datafile, however, it is hoped that the aircraft is given the fullest attention within these constraints and that a the ubiquitous Phantom will be further revealed to both modellers and enthusiasts. The versions covered in this Datafile include the F-4C, F-4D, RF-4C, F-4E and F-4G, and it will provide photographic and diagrammatic details as well as modelling the F-4C, RF-4C and F-4G, with additional resources on Kits, Decals and Accessories. In addition there is an exclusive decal sheet only available with this publication.

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deployed from a carrier, armed with air-to-air missiles instead of guns, that could cruise out to a radius of 250 nautical miles, stay on combat patrol, attack an intruder when necessary, and return to the carrier deck within three hours. McDonnell responded with a new design for a twoplace fighter/bomber to respond to the Navy's need for an allweather fleet air defence aircraft, yet retaining attack capabilities. In mid-1955 the full-scale engineering mock-up of this new twin-engine was available, and featured a swept wing with no dihedral, and the horizontal tails drooped down at an angle of 15 deg. Results of the first phase of tunnel tests indicated that the aircraft exhibited serious deficiencies in lateral-directional stability characteristics at supersonic speeds, including unstable dihedral effect and marginal

The first of the USAF's many! (© McDonnell Doug/as)

A Brief History Under its own financing and initiative, McDonnell began developing an all-weather attack fighter in August 1953, shortly after it lost a competitive bid to build a Navy supersonic air-superiority fighter. The McDonnell FH-l Phantom, which made its first flight on January 26, 1945, was first operated from a carrier in the summer of 1946, and entered squadron service in 1948. The aircraft was conventional in design and employed an un swept wing with simple high-lift devices; manual flight controls were provided about all three axes. However, by now newer the Navy had released details of a desired new mission: an aircraft to be

Preface

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A very nice anniversary Phantom as displayed at the London International Airshow in Ontario Canada in 1988 (~ Author's Cotlection)

No rth American Sabre. Total US production was 5057, with another 138 being built under license in Japan. The Phantom was in co ntinuous production for 20 years (from 1959 until 1979) and during the Vietnam War, 72 Phantoms were coming off the production line every month. Although initially designed as an interceptor and later used primarily in the air-to-ground strike role, th e Phantom proved to be surprisingly successful in the air-to-air role when the correct tactics were used . USAF, Navy, and Ma rin e Corps Phantom lIs achieved 277 air-to-air co mbat vic tories in Vietnam . The Phantom was th e first nava l fighter to dispense totally with cannon armament and the first fighter that was able to identify, intercept and destroy any target th at came into range of its radar without hav ing to rely on groun d control and it was first aircraft originally designed solely as a carrier-based directional stab ility. To cure these problems, McDonnell introduced 12 deg of geometric dihedral into th e outer wing panels (which were foldable for carrier operations) and increased the size of the ve rtical tail. First flown in May 1958, the Navy awarded a production contract to McDonnell in December 1958 and in July 1959, the aircraft was formally christened the F-4 Phantom II in tribute to McDonnell's FH-l Phantom. Thus a legend was created! The McDonnell Phantom went on to be one of the most successful post-war fighters, and the second most prolific American jet fighter to be built, outnumbered only by the

fighter to be ordered by the USAF. It was also the first fighter to have computer-controlled air inlets for optimum airflow to the engines and finally, it was the first aircraft to be flown simultaneously by both the Navy's Blue Angels and th e Air Force's Thunderbirds flight demonstration teams. ;411~'t

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Preface

Glossary

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AAA .... . ... Anti-Aircraft Artillery AAM . ... . ... Air to Air Missile AB .......... Air Base (Non-US) ADC ........ Air Defence Command AFB . . . . . . . .. Air Force Base AFRES . . . . .. Air Force Reserve AGM ........ Ait to Ground Missile AGM ........ Airborne Guided Missile AIM ....... .Air Intercept Missile ANG .... . ... Air National Guard ARM ........ Anti-Radar Missile CAP . . . . . . . . .Combat Air Patrol Capt . . .. .. .. Captain CO . .. ....... Commanding Officer CORDS . ... . .Coherent On Record Doppler System CW ......... Continous Wave ECM ........ Electronic Countermeasuers EWACS ...... Electronic Wide Angle Camera System EWO . ....... Electronic Warfare Officer FIS . ......... Fighter Interceptor Squadron FUR . . . .. . .. Forward Looking Infra-Red FS . ... . . .... Fighter Squadron FW . . . . ... . .Fighter Wing GIB .. ... . . .. Guy In Back HARM . . . . . .High Speed Anti-Radar Missile HAWC . . . . . . .Homing Radar And Warning Computer

LORAN .... . .Long Range Navigation LOROP . . . . .. Long Range Oblique Photography NOLO . . . .... No Onboard Live Operator NULLO ...... Not Utilising Local Live Operator NVA ........ North Vietnamese Army PPI ........ .Plan Position Indicator PUP . . . . . . . .Performance Update Program RHAW ..... .Radar Homing And Warning system RTAFB ... . . .Royal Thai Air Force Base SAM ..... . . .Surface to Air Missile SEA ......... South East Asia TAC . ........ Tactical Air Command TACAN ...... Tactical Air Navigation TEREC ...... Tactical Electronic Recconaisance TFW ........ Tactical Fighter Wing TISEO ....... Target Identification system electro Optical TRG .. . .. ... Tactical Reconnaisance Group TRTS ... . .... Tactical Reconnaissance Training Squadron TRW ....... .Tactical Reconnaisance Wing USAF ....... United States Air Force USA FE ...... United Satates Air Forces Europe USMC . . . . . .. United States Marine Corps USN .. . ..... United States Navy Wizzo . ... .. .weapons Systems Officer/Operator WSO ..... . .. Weapons Systems Operator/Officer

Glossary

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The F-4C and F-4D The F-4C

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he impressive performance of the US Navy's F4H Phantom immediately caught the attention of the USAF, which under normal circumstances would have never considered any aircraft that had originally been conceived for the Navy. However, under pressure from Secretary of Defence Robert McNama ra, who wanted to reduce defence expenditures by achieving greater commonality between the aircraft flown by the various services, in 1961 the Air Force agreed to undertake an evaluation of the F4H -I Phantom II and a comparative assessment between the F4H-I and the F- I06A Delta Dart which took place under the code name Operation Highspeed. The F4H-I had better overall speed, altitude and range performance than the F-I06A and in addition, it could carry heavier loads over longer distances and had a 25 percent greater radar range. The F4H-l was also much more versatile than the

119th FW 'Happy Hootigans' were the proud owners of this F-4C (© via Mark Smith)

63-596 wearing the colours of the California Air Guard (© Author's Collection)

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Chapter 1

Air Force's F-105 Thunderchief, since it could not only carry similar external loads but was also potentially a much better air superiority fighter due to its more favourable wing and power loadings. Likewise in the reconnaissance role, the Phantom offered a much better performance than the RF-IO IA/C, and unl ike the Voodoo, could be fitted for night photographic missions. Since the Phantom had so much going for it, in January 1962,

President Kennedy requested Congressional approval for the procurement of F4H-l derivatives for the Air Force under the designation F- ll O. The F-i l OA was to be the tactical fighter version, with RF-I IOA being the tactical reconnaissance version and the name 'Spectre' was assigned to the aircraft and in support of this program, the Defence Department instructed that McDonnell deliver two Navy F4H- Is to the Air Force for evaluation. On January 24, 1962, the two Navy F4H-I s (BuNos 149405 and 149406) were delivered to the Air Force at Langley AFB in Virginia. The results of the trials were impressive. The Phantom met or exceeded all the Air Force's expectations and in March of 1962, the Defence Department announced that landbased versions of the Phantom were to become the standard tactical fighter and tactical reconnaissance aircraft of the USAF.

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= On March 30, McDonnell received a letter of intent for one F-llOA (serial number 62-12199), and on May 29, another letter was received for a pair ofYRF-IIOA reconnaissance aircraft (6212200 and 62-1 2201). In order to formalise the F-11O project, the Air Force issued Specific Operational Requirement 200 on August 29, 1962; this called for an aircraft based on the F4H-I but with an added ground attack capability. The folding wings, catapult attachment points, and arrestor hooks of the naval version were to be retained; however dual controls were to be provided for the

backs eater. The high tyre pressure of the Navy F-4B necessary for carrier operations were unnecessary for the Air Force, and new wider ones with lower pressures were fitted, along with anti-skid brakes. On September 18 1962, the Defence Department ordered that all Air Force, Army, and Navy aircraft be designated under a common, universal system. In particular, this meant that the F4H naval designation and the F-IIO Air Force designation was abolished replaced by 'F-4' with different service types being identified by a following letter. Thereby the F4H -I Phantom was redesignated F-4B, the F-IIOA became

Looking pristine in its ADe grey and wearing the miniature 'FM' tailcode of the 482nd TFW is 63-537 (© via Marl< Smith)

MiG Killer 63-589 based at Keflavik in Iceland prepares for a training sortie (© via Glenn Sands)

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The F-4C and F-4D

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63-576 snapped on the ramp at Tyndall AF8 in 1979 (© via Marl< Smith)

One of the most colourful F-4C units was the Michigan Air National Guard with its yellow and black colours (© Author's Collection)

A rather strange hue is evident here aboard 63-689 of the Texas Air National Guard

(© Author's Cot/ection)

One of the European bases that operated the F-4C was Spangdahlem in Germany (© Wa Marl< Smith)

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Chapter 1

known as the F-4C and the YRF- II OA became YRF-4C, and at the same time both Ai r Force and Navy versions were christened Phantom II. The first production F-4C (62- 12199) took off on its maiden flight on May 27, 1963. The F-4C was externally almost identical to the naval F-4B, and came fitted with the same nosecone with its associated AAA-4 infrared search and track fairing, which in an effort to minimise production delays the Air Force accepted but chose not to fi t any electronics within it. However, internally it differed from the F-4B as it was fitted with dual controls, as the Air Force intended to fly it as a two-pilot aircraft. As the need for carrier landings was negated low-pressure tyres were fitted, which required thicker wheels which in turn, required deeper wheel wells which resulted in a slight bulge being added above and below the inner wing panels. The probe-and-drogue aerial refuelling system of the Navy version was replaced by the Air Force's favoured boom system with a receptacle being mounted on top of the fuselage behind the rear cockpit. The backseater (who was now also a pilot) had new consoles, a lowered panel fo r improved forward visibility, a relocated radar tracking handle, attack switches, and other refinements. The F-4C also had substantially different electronic equipment to its naval counterpart, including a Westinghouse AN/ APQ- IOO radar system with ground mapping capability, an AN/ APA-157 CW illuminator fo r the AIM-7 Sparrow family of air- to-air missiles, and an AN/AjB-7 all-altitude nuclear bomb control system with low-altitude release capability. The aircraft also had a Litton AN/ASN-48 (LNI2A/B ) inertial navigation system, and an AN/ASN-46 navigation computer. Other systems included the ASN-39 (later -46) dead-reckoning nav igation computer, the ALR-17 electronic countermeasures radar warning receiver, APR-25 radar homing and warning system, an APR-26 SAM launch warning system, an APN-14 1 (later -1 59) radar altimeter, an A24G central air data computer, a General Electric ASA-32A analogue autopilot and flight-control system, an ASQ- 19 communications/navigation/identification package, and an ARW-77 Bullpup missile control system. Some F-4Cs were equipped with the SST- 18IX Combat Skyspot radar bombing system. Furthermore the F-4C was powered by two General Electric )79-GE- 15 turbojets and a built-in cartridge starting system was provided, whilst the crew members sat on MartinBaker Mk H5 ejector seats. In the USAF F-4s, the rear seat crewmember could perform virtually all of the flight manoeuvres that the pilot could, with only a few exceptions. The GIB or'Guy in Back', the Pilot Systems Officer (PSO) later called the Weapons Systems Officer or 'Wizzo" (WSO) in Air Force

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63-426 in colourful garb (© via Mark Smith)

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Caught at the 1977 William Tell meet at Tyndal AFB (note the apple on the drop tank) is this Kellavik based bird 63685 (<:l via Mark Smith)

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speak could even drop bombs if need be, but he could not fire the gun and could not launch missiles. Furthermore the GIB could not raise either the landing gear or the flaps, but he could lower them both in an emergency by using a pneumatic charge stored in a high-pressure bottle. The F-4C was built at a time where the internal gun was considered obsolete and the aircraft relied on an all-missile armament consisting offour AIM-7D or 7E Sparrow missiles mounted in recesses underneath the fuselage along with four AIM-4D Falcon or AIM-9B or 9D Sidewinder infrared air-to-air missiles carried in pairs on the inboard underwing pylon. Airto-ground missiles included the AGM-12 Bullpup, the AGM-45 Shrike, and the AGM-65 Maverick. Unguided rocket launchers

could also be carried, and a load of retarded and unretarded bombs (conventional, cluster, fire, chemical, or leaflet). Furthermore the Mk.28 'special store' could be carried, although the F-4C did not have a nuclear mission as one of its primary goals. In later years, the lack of an internal gun came to be a problem, and a centreline SUU-16/A pod containing an M61AI gun and 1200 rounds of ammunition was fitted to overcome this problem. The F-4C could also carry a single 600-gallon drop tank on the centreline rack and a 370-gallon drop tank underneath each wing In order to give the Air Force an early start in getting the Phantom into service, the Navy temporarily loaned 27 more F-4Bs to the USAF which were assigned the USAF serials 62-

63-559 sporting a plethora of stencil data (<:l via Mark Smith)

The F-4C and F-4D

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63-576 from the 'Black Knights' prepares for another William Tell sortie in 1976 (© via Glenn Sands)

64-915 looking rather weary. Note the derivation of the serial number ( via Glenn Sands)

12170/12196. In November of 1963, these aircraft were delivered mainly to the 4453rd Combat Crew Training Wing at MacDill AFB in Florida and were soon followed by production F-4Cs. Some of these borrowed aircraft later went to the 12th TFW, also based at MacDill and which became the first operational user of the F-4C, receiving its first machines in January 1964, replacing the unit's F-84F Thunderstreaks. The 12th TFW achieved initial operational capability in October of 1964.0n December 2,1964, four F-4Cs set an unofficial endurance record for jet fighters. They landed at MacDill after an 18-hour flight of nearly 10,000 miles during which they were refuelled by KC-135 tankers. A total of 583 F-4Cs were built and the last F-4C rolled off the production line on May 4, 1966. The initial in-service Phantoms wore the traditional Gull Grey and White US Navy colour 63-829, the Commander's aircraft from the 482nd TFW AFRES and a double MiGKiller ( via Mark Smith)

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Chaptet1

scheme with Air Force codes and markings, with later aircraft sporting the tactical camouflage schemes of the day.

F-4C Operators The following USAF Wings operated the F-4C: 8th Tactical Fighter Wing 12th Tactical Fighter Wing 15th Tactical Fighter Wing 18th Tactical Fighter Wing (44th TFS, 67th TFS), Kadena AB, Okinawa with detachments to Korat RTAFB. 32nd Tactical Fighter Wing 35th Tactical Fighter Wing 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing 57th Fighter Weapons Wing

57th Fighter Interceptor Squadron 58th Tactical Fighter Training Wing 81 st Tactical Fighter Wing 86th Tactical Fighter Wing 347th Tactical Fighter Wing 355th Tactical Fighter Wing 366th Tactical Fighter Wing 401 st Tactical Fighter Wing 405th Fighter Wing 475th Tactical Fighter Wing 479th Tactical Fighter Wing 3247th Test Squadron 4453rd Combat Crew Training Wing 4525th Fighter Weapons Wing 4531st Tactical Fighter Wing 6512th Test Squadron

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As F-4Cs were superseded in front-line service by later marks of the Phantom, they were transferred to Air Force Reserve units or to units of the Air National Guard. The first F-4Cs began to reach Air Force Reserve units in 1978, initially equipping the 93rd TFS of the 915th Tactical Fighter Group based at Homestead AFB in Florida. In 1981, the 93rd TFS of the 482nd TFW (also based at Homestead) received F-4Cs. These were the only Air Force Reserve units to get the F-4C version of the Phantom, with most of the other Phantom-equipped AF Reserve units getting later F-4Ds and Es. These units operated the F-4C for only a brief time, converting during the early 1980s to F-4Ds. Ex-USAF F-4Cs first began to reach units of the Air National

Guard in 1972. First to get the F-4C was the 170th TFS of the 183rd TFG of the Illinois ANG, which began to receive the type in January of 1972. F-4Cs ended up serving with seven ANG units in the tactical role. In addition, they served in the air defence role from 1978 with seven ANG fighter interceptor squadrons and with an air defence training squadron

63-776, a superb BiCentennial F-4C (IJ:! via Mark Smith)

Air National Guard Units 110th TFS, 131st TFW, Missouri ANG III th FIS, 147th FIG, Texas ANG 113th TFS, 181st TFG, Indiana ANG 114th TFTS, 142nd FIG, Oregon ANG 122nd TFS, 159th TFG, Louisiana ANG 123rd FIS, 142nd FIG, Oregon ANG 136th FIS, 107th FIG, New York ANG 163rd TFS, 122nd TFW, Indiana ANG 170th TFS, 183rd TFG, Illinois ANG l7lst FIS, 191st FIG, Michigan ANG 182nd TFS, 149th TFG, Texas ANG 184th TFS, 188th TFG, Arkansas ANG 196th TFS, 163rd TFG, California ANG 199th TFS, 154th CB, Hawaii ANG Most of the ANG's F-4Cs were replaced in service by latermodel F-4Ds and Es (as well as by F-15s and F-16s) during the mid- to late-1980s, The last ANG squadron to fly the F-4C, the 123rd FIS of the Oregon ANG, exchanged its F-4Cs for F-16s in the spring of 1989. 64-816 in colourful markings (IJ:! Author's Collection)

The F·4C and F-4D

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63·564 carrying the 'WW' logo on its fin cap

F-4C Wild Weasel

(10 via Glenn Sands)

he F·4C Wild Weasel IV was a development of the already in·service Phantom, unofficially called the EF·4C, and designed in parallel with the F· 105 Wild Weasel lII program. This aircraft, like the modified F· IOOF and F· IOsF, was inte nded to detect and attack North Vietnamese surface· to·air missile sites. These 'EF·4C' aircraft were modified F·4Cs fitted with electronic equipment that was des igned to detect, identify, and locate enemy surface· to· air missile radar installations. The aircraft carried an AN/APR·2s Radar Homing and Warning System (RHAWS) with an antenna mounted on the top of the vertical fin as well as inside the empty infrared seeker fairing mounted underneath the nose. This system could give the direction of threats and could ass ign priority to them. An ANI APR·26 SAM launch wa rning system was also fitted, with a blade·like omn idirectional antenna installed underneath the nose just behind the infrared seeker fa iring. Also an ER· 142 electronic co untermeas ures receiver was installed and frequently the aircraft carried a Westinghouse ANI ALQ·1 19 noise and deception active electronic countermeasures pod underneath the fo rwa rd fuselage. The F· l OOF and F· lOsF had always been viewed as interim

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63·423 'First of the Weasels' (© Author's Collection)

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Chapter t

The aircraft carried an AN/APR·25 Radar Homing and Warning System (RHAWS) with an antenna mounted on the top of the vertical fin as well as inside the empty infrared seeker fairing mounted underneath the nose. Seen here as part of a restoration project (© Author's Cottection)

Wild Weasel aircraft, pending the availability of the F·4C Phantom. However, the entrance of the Wild Weasel F·4C into combat in Vietnam was delayed by numerous problems. Among these were insufficient internal space to house the electronic equipment, electronic interference between the vari ous components of the system, and mechanical vibrations of the panoramic receiver pod that was mounted

in the starboard rear Sparrow, recess and it was not until 1969 that these problems were fully resolved. The first Wild Weasel F-4Cs entered service in June 1968 with the 4537th Fighter Weapons Squadron, an operational conversion and tac tic development unit based at Nellis AFB in Nevada. At that time, this squadron was part of the 4525th Fighter Weapons Wing and the 4525th was redesignated the 57th Fighter Weapons Wing in October of 1969, at the same time the 4537th FWS became the 66th FWS. Overseas deployment of the Weasels began in March of 1969 and with the 80th TFS, 347th TFW at Yokota AB in Japan, however these aircraft were transferred in March 1971 to the 67th TFS, 18th TFW based at Kadena AFB on Okinawa. The 67th TFS relocated to Korat RTAFB in Thailand in 1972-72 to take part in the Linebacker raids. The Wild Weasel F-4Cs were intended to detect and attack the Fan Song track-while- scan radar that was used to guide SA-2 Guideline surface-to-air missiles. The primary armament of the aircraft therefore consisted of the Texas Instruments AGM-45 Shrike anti-radiation missile, (the

An AN/APR-26 SAM launch warning system was also fitted (© Author"s Collection)

Weasel configuration. Serials were 63-7423, 7433, 7437, 7440, 7443, 7447, 7452, 7459,7462,7467,7470,7474, 7478,7481,7508, 7512, 7564, 7565,7567,7574,7594, 7596,7607,7615, 7623 and 64-0675, 0741, 0757, 0781,0787, 0790, 0791 , 0815, 0840, 0844, and 0847.

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aircraft could not carry or launch the AGM-78 Standard antiradiation missile) plus an array of cluster and conventional iron bombs. The Shrike missile proved to be rather unreliable in service, since it had to be preset before takeoff in order to home in on a particular frequency. In December of 1969, Wild Weasel F-4Cs were issued to the 81st TFS of the 50th TFW, stationed at Hahn AFB in Germany which later transferred to the 86th TFW at Zweibrucken AB in January of 1972. By 1973, the surviving aircraft were retrofitted with the [tek ANI ALR-46 electronic countermeasures receiver which provided fast digital processing in a bandwidth ranging from 2 to 18 GHz. Antennae for this system were placed on the ta ilcone at the base of the vertical fin as well as on the lower fuselage immediately aft of the nose radar. It interfaced with a cockpit display and provided automatic control of jamming assets. In addition, an ANI ALR-53 long-range homing receiver was mounted which could guide aircraft toward surface threats. After being replaced by later Wild Weasel Phantoms, many of the aircraft were returned to F-4C status and then turned over to the 113th TFS of the 181st TFG and the 163rd TFS of the 122nd TFW, both with the Indiana Air National Guard, which received these planes in 1979. Thirty-six F-4Cs were ultimately modified to the Wild

64-847 of the 35th TFW (© via Mark Smith)

Strike Camera (© Author's Collection)

The F-4C and F-4D

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F-4C/D in Detail

Looking at the arrestor hook and adjacent heat resistant panels (© Author's Collection)

The open brake chute housing

Cockpit air-intake on the fuselage side (IC> Author's Cottection)

Vents atop the engine intake

(IC> Author's Collection)

(IC> Author's Collection)

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Wingtip detail

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Chapter 1

(IC> Author's Collection)

Sparrow

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(© Author's Collection)

F-4C/D in Detail

Soot stained panels behind the engines

(© Author's Collecffon)

looking into the underwing braking flap

Nosewheel oleo detai

(© Author's Collection)

(© Author's Collection)

The mainwheel strut (© Autho,'s Collection)

looking upwards and forwards into the nosewheel bay (© Author's Collection)

PUSH TO OPEN 000 I

Canopy jettison panel Instruction panel on the main wheel strut (© Autho,'s Collection)

(© Author's Collection)

looking upward into the rear port Sparrow recess (© Author's Collection)

The F-4C and F-4D

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F-4C/D in Detail

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~

Chapter 1

(© McDonnell Doug/as)

Al.~e

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1 April 1967

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F-4C/D in Detail NOTES

AIRCRAFT MARKINGS

§

PNEUMATIC DRAIN

•

OIL AND HYDRAULI C DRAIN

_

INFRARED DOME ON 62-12199, 63-H07 THRU 64_817.

~

FUEL COMPARTMENT DRAIN

_

62_12199, 63-7407 THRU 64-928 .

•

FUEL DRAIN

1. NUMBERS FOLLOWING DR PRECEDING DRAIN DESCRIPTION INDICATE ACCESS DOOR ON WHICH DRAIN IS LOCATED •

LEG~ND

o

MARKED DRAIN S OR VENT S

.UNMAR KED MOISTURE DRAINS EXCEPT AS NOTE

ri6~TW~~~LNW~CLA~P_:.E_D):....._ _-II!~.y-k) \

16 LIQUID OXYGEN VENT

STATIC DRAIN (CAPPED) (TOP WHEELWELL) 24L LANDING GEAR DUMP • VALVE VENT (AIR AND OIL)

.UTlLlT Y RESERVOIR DRAIN 24R MOI ST URE SEPARATOR BLOW DOWN VAL VE VEN T (AIR AND WATER) 22

xX

CANOP I ES NORMAL PNEUMAT IC BOTTLE DRAIN (MANUAL) 30R~

.ENGINE CLEAR BOX DRAIN 7.R..... / •

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•

ENGINE TURBINE AND AFTERBURNER DRAIN 92R

92L ENGINE TURBINE AND. AFTERBURNER DRAIN

ARRESTING GEAR SER_ VICING ACCESS DRAIN

BOTTOM VIEW

4C-2-1-!104-1I

External Drains and Vents (© McDonnell Doug/as)

The F·4C and F·4D

~

F-4C/D in Detail

_INfRARED DOME PROTECTIVE COVER MDE32774-1 (62-12199 THRU 64-817)

ANGLE Of ATTACK PROBE GUARD MDE32S06- 303

Ground protective devices (© McDonnell Dougtas)

F-4C Iront cockpit

(© Author's Collection)

STRIKE CAMERA WINDOW COVER ASSEMBLY 67f299SI-l0

RAM AIR OUTlET COVER MDE32S9-303 AND -304

F-4D Iront cockpit (© Author's Collection)

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INDEX NO.

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NOMENClATURE IFFANTENN' UHF COMMUN ICATI ONS ANTENNA (UPPfI)

'Il.

Integrated Electronic Component Locations

~

Chapter 1

(© McDonnell Douglas)

ACCBS

OOC>a 19 FIN CAP AND DOOR 68 AFT COCKPIT AFT COCKPIT FORWARD COCKPIT AFT COCKPIT AFT COCK PIT LEFTWHEElWEU LEFT WHEflWEll LEFT WHEElWELl

F-4C/D Ejector Seat Diagrams Early Phantoms used the Martin Baker H5 seat, which was later replaced by the Mk 7

T.O.IF-4C-2-1 SUItVIVAlKIT RH US£ HoVID U

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

DROGUE PARACHUTE PACK ASSEMBLY FACE CURTAIN HANDLE GAS POWERED INERTIA REEL EMERGENCY OXYGEN CYLINDER SEAT BUCKET POSITIONING SWITCH EMERGENCY OXYGEN MANUAL RELEASE CONTROL HANDLE FINGER TAB LEG RESTRAINT CORD LOWER EJECTION HANDLE EMERGENCY HARNESS RELEASE HANDLE SEAT BUCKET PERSONNEL PARACHUTE LUMBAR PAD ROCKET MOTOR FIRING MECHANISM ROCKET MOTOR ROCKET MOTOR FIRING LANYARD AND DISPENSER ROCKET MOTOR F IRI NG MECHANI SM PROTECTIVE BOOT O-RING AND PLATE CANOPY INTERLOCK BLOCK CANOPY INTERLOCK BLOCK AND CATAPULT GUN FIRING MECHANISM (INTERDICTOR) SAFETY PI N ASSEMBLY FIRING MECHANISM GUARD (AFT SEAn

NOTES D

BEFORE T.O. IF-4-832 AFTER T.O. IF-4-832 DAFTER T.0. IF-4-926 AND T .0. 15X11-19-504 D BEFORE T.O. IF-4-898 II» AFTER T.O. IF-4-898

I»

Rocket mechanism (© McDonnell Douglas)

4C-2-1-U06-1l

Figure 3-4. Rocket Assist Ejection Seats (Sheet 1 of 2)

The F-4C and F-40

~

F-4C/D Ejector Seat Diagrams

The Phantom Crew sit on a pair of Martin-Baker Mk 7 zero-zero ejector seats

(© Au/hor's Collection) ' £Qa/OIt . ,

Utno~

WARNING WHEN REMOVING FACE CUITAIN SAFETY PIN, INSPECT SAFETY PI N HOLE ON SEAr TO ENSUlE ALL PORTIONS OF SAFETY PIN HAVE BEEN lEMOVEO FROM SEAT. ' /

TO ~PREVENT INADVERTENT fiRING OF SEAT, DO NOT RfMOVE CANOPY INTERLOCK !LOCK AND CATAPULT GUN FiliNG MECHANISM .. (INTERD ICTOR) SAFETY PIN ASSfMBl Y EXCEPT ~~;WHEN DEARMING CATAPULT GUN . . ~::,,: .

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CANOPY INTEUOCK 'LOCK AND CATAPULT GUN filiNG-

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8. LOWER

7 . EMERGENCY OXYGEN CYLINDER

WARNING ENSURE ROCKET PACK FIliNG MECHANISM SAFETY PIN IS INSTALLED AND fULLY SEATEO. FAlWRE TO INSTALL SAFETy PIN COULD LEAD TO ROCKET MOTOR ACTUATION AND RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO PERSONNel ,

DEPIIESS eunoNs ON HEAD OF SAFETY PINS PIIIOR TO PULLING PINS FROM THE VAlIOUS UNITS WHEN REMOVING SAFETY PIN ASSEMBLY , DO NOT PULL AITAC HING lANYARD WH EN REMOVING SAFETY PINS FROM SEAT MOUNTED ANO COCKPIT MOUNTED INITIATORS, GItASP SAFETY PIN TO ENSUIIE PIN IS REMO VED .

DDSAFETY PIN ASSEMBLY MDE32722 -J2 9

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Figure 1-21, Ground Safety Devices - Canopy , Cockpit. and Seat (Sheet 3 of 3)

Ground Safety Pin chart (~ McDonnell Douglas)

~

Chapter 1

! IISOIl NU'UAtllun

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Off·Whlte W / BlackP\alZ,C

....."10

F-4C/D Ejector Seat Diagrams

r'~~E~TI'N,'--""""'"'-'"'~""'. ;

PROCEDURES

AFTER EJECTION SEQUENCE

7

SEfO RE EJECTION

•

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3-14

Figure 3-4 (Sheel 2 of 3)

Ejection Procedure

(© McDonnell Douglas)

Ejection Sequence

(© McDonnell Douglas)

I MK #7 EJECTION SEIIT/ C==:J } ALL NUST

IIEF LIJSH

~o n ' lfG

alOIC"'fO.

TJIIE II ELEASEMECHlIUSU TII)PROD ISECURfD TO RULKH(ADI

Ejector Seat detail diagram (© McDonnell Douglas)

The F-4C and F-4D

~

67-716 resplendent in its AOC grey caplured at Eglin AFB in 1978 (© via Mark Smith)

F-4D he F-4D was an improved version of the F-4C which was better suited to the specific requirements of the Tactical Air Command. Although it was externally almost identical to the F-4C it was very different internally. The F-4D was authorised in March 1964, and the first example flew on December 7, 1965 with deliveries beginning in March 1966. The first aircraft arrived with the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing based at Bitburg in Germany followed by the 4th TFW based at Seymour johnson AFB in North Carolina in January of 1967, and an impressive total of 793 F-4Ds were built. The F-4D had the same engines and basic airframe as the F-4C, and had the same internal fuel capacity as that of the RF-4C, the major difference being in the avionics. The most significant change was the replacement of the APQ-I00 radar of the F-4C by the smaller and lighter partly solid-state AN/APQ- I09A which introduced an air-to-ground ranging mode using movable cursors. The F-4Ds fitted with the AN/APQ-I09A radar set could be

T

One 01 the most eye catching of the 'Hill Gray or Egypt 1' coloured aircraft were the markings of the Minnesota ANG (© Author's Collection)

66-723 wearing the UP tailcode taken at Clark AFB in 1974 (© via Mark Smith)

~

Chapter 1

externally distinguished from the F-4C by the presence of a larger radome, however, some F-4Ds were fitted with the AN/APA-157 radar similar to that fitted to the F-4C and were hence externally identical to the F-4C, also the undernose fairing for the AAA-4 infrared search and track system was removed on earlier models, but later reinstated. The Collins ASQ-19 miniaturized communication/navigation/identification suite became standard and the Litton ASN-48 inertial navigation system of the F-4C was replaced by an ASN-63 set, which was also upgraded and made lighter. An AJB-7 all-altitude bomb delivery system was provided, which was connected to an ASQ91 weapons release computer for delivery of laser-guided bombs. The F-4D retained the AIM-7 Sparrow capability of the F-4C, but it deleted the Sidewinder capability on the inboard underwing pylon in favour of the Hughes AIM-4D Falcon infrared-homing missile. As already noted, and starting with Block 27, the infrared search and track pod under the radome was reinstalled, but not to house the AAA-4 infrared search and track system, but rather to carry the forward amplifier and antenna of the ALR-25/26 radar warning system. Later, this system was replaced by APS107A with fin antennae and ALR-69(V)2 with its antennae blistered around the chin pod and brake chute housing. The aircraft could also carry externally hung jammer pods including the ALQ-87 FM barrage jammer, the Westinghouse ALQ- l 01 noise/deception jammer, and the Westinghouse ALQ-1 19 noise/deception jammer capable of covering three bands, and a multiple ejector rack was provided for the centreline pylon and triple ejector racks were provided for the inboard underwing stations, furthermo re the weapons system officer was often given a TV display fed from the seeker of a homing bomb system, initially for the GBU-8 and later for the GBU-15. For

A fine in-flight study of F-4D 65-662 ( v~ Mark Smith)

66-708 a double MiG Killer seen in April 1989 ( via Mark Smith)

:ing

on

Ie

66-587 showing an intriguing camoullage paHern and colour scheme ( via Gtenn Sands)

01

ler

ng

a

65-764 caught on camera in 1972 ( via Gtenn Sands)

The F-4C and F-4D

~

Wearing wrap-around SEA camouflage is 66-704 from its home base at Tinker

Another Bentwaters based 'Spook' prepares for launch (© via Glenn Sands)

The Commander's aircraft of the 31 sl TTW (© via Mark Smith)

66-472 wearing black low-vis insignia (© via Glenn Sands)

~

=

Chapter 1

-~--~

-----A Spangdahlem based bird 66-790 showing its LORAN 'towel rail' aerial on the spine (© via Mark Smith)

Wearing 'Lizard' colours and looking a bit tired 65-662 gets some deserved attention for its groundcrew (© via Glenn Sands)

The Alabama ANG also had a unique nose marking on its F-4D's as 66-610 demonstrates (© Author's Collection)

Based at RAF Lakenheath in the UK 65-777 taxies in with braking chute bay open (© via Glenn Sands)

The F·4C and F·4D

~

Two of the colour schemes worn by the Texas AFRES unit (© Author's Coffection)

weapons aiming, the F-4C had relied on a fIxed sight and a simple chart on which the image of the target was projected, and the operation of this system made accurate bombing very difficult, and therefore the F-4D had improved avionics to increase the accuracy of its air-to-ground weapons. These included an ANI ASQ-91 weapons release computer system which measured various aircraft parameters such as speed, attitude, and climbing rate, and combined it with radar data on the slant range to the target to tell the bomb when to drop from the aircraft. Also fItted was an AN/ASG-22 lead computing optical sight with amplifIer and gyro designed to improve the effectiveness of the Phantom in air-to-air combat.

The F-4D In Service

Carrying a towed target dart this F-4D was based at RAF Bentwaters in the UK (IC> v~ Glenn Sands)

~

Chapter 1

3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Kunsan AB, Korea, 1971-1 974. 35th TFS, 36th TFS, 80th TFS. 4th Tactical Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB, NC, 19671970. 334th TFS, 335th TFS, 336th TFS. Deployments to Kunsan AB, Korea. 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Ubon RTAFB, Thailand. 433rd TFS, 435th TFS, 497th TFS, 555th TFS(l967-1968)

12th Tactical Fighter Wing, Phu Cat AB, South Vietnam. Assumed control of the fo rmer 37th TFW and its F-4Ds flown by the 389th TFS,and 480th TFS. Inactivated Nov 1971. 18th Tactical Fighter Wing, Kadena AB, Okinawa. 25th TFS (1975- 1979). Several detachments to Korat RTAFB, Thailand. Inactivated Aug 1980. 31st Tactical Training Wing, Homestead AFB, FL, 198 1-1987. 306th TFTS, 307th TFTS, 309th TFTS. 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Eglin AFB, FL. 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, Phan Rang AB, Thailand. 36th Tactical Fighter Wing, Bitburg AB, Germany. Elements of the 36th flew F-4Ds between 1966 and 1973. 48th Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, UK. Assets reassigned to 474th TFW at Nellis AFB, NV 49th Tactical Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem, AB, Germany. 50th Tactical Fighter Wing, Hahn AB, Germany, lOth TFS, 496th TFS. 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem AB, Germany. 480th TFS (1976-1980). 54th Tactical Fighter Wing, Kunsan AB, Korea. Activated Jun 1970, taking place of 354th TFW. Inactivated Oct 1970. 56th Tactical Fighter Wing, MacDill AFB, FL, 1978-1980. 57th Fighter Weapons Wing, Nellis AFB, NV414th FWS (until 197\). 81st Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Bentwaters, UK. 78th TFS (1966-1979) 91th TFS (1973-1979), 92nd TFS (1973-1979). 354th Tactical Figher Wi ng, Kunsan AB, South Korea. 560th TFS, 33rd TFS, 335th 16th TFS, 478th TFS. Wing assets passed to 54th TFW Jun 1970, when wing transferred to Myrtle Beach AFB, SC with A-7Ds. 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, Holloman AFB, NM. 389th TFS,

The matt paint finish aboard this Phantom from the Oregon Air Guard was common across its fleet (It> Author's CoHection)

e

66-739 again, this time note the 'Pave Spike' designator pod (© Auttio", Col/eetion)

66-739 wearing the 'Cloud ' variation olthe Hill Grey scheme (© Auttio", Col/eetion)

ld. :7.

The F-4C and F-4D

~

66-768 of the 924 TFG on the Nellis ramp at 'Gunsmoke' (© Author's Collection)

A good view of the upper pattern of the 'Cloud' scheme (~ Author's

Catteenan)

390th TFS, 480th TFS. Operated F-4D from 1968 to 1972. Deployments to Phu Cat AB, Vietnam, Takhli RTAFB, Thailand. 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat RTAFB, Thailand. 34th TFS(l 974) 35th TFS (1972). Reassigned to Hill AFB, Utah Dec 1975, and acquired 4th TFS, 34th TFS, and 421th TFS. Convertd to F-16 Jan 1979. 40 1st Tactical Fighter Wing, Torrejon AB, Spain, 1978- 1983.

405th Fighter Wing, Clark AB, Philippines. 1st Test Squadron (1970), 523rd TFS (l970-1 973(inactivated)), 90th TFS (1 973- 1973) . 64th FIS and 509th FIS operated F-l02s. Detachments to Taiwa in, Thailand, South Vietnam. Replaced by the 3rd TFW in Sept 1974. 432 nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Udorn RTAFB, Thailand. 13th TFS equipped with F-4Ds in Oct 1967. Redesignated 432nd Tactical Fighter Wing Nov 1974. Inactivated Nov 1975. 474th Tactical Fighter Wing, Nellis AFB, NY. 428th TFS, 429th TFS, 430th TFS. Acquired Lakenheath F-4Ds in 1977, and flew them until converting to F-1 6s in 1982. 475th Tactical Fighter Wing, Misawa AB, Japan. Inactivated when assets were used to reform the 3rd TFW in Mar 1972, and 475th inactivated. 479th Tactical Fighter Wing, George AFB, CA. 1965-1972. Reequipped with F-4Es in 1972. In the early 1980s, F-4Ds bega n to reach Air Force Reserve units. The units obtaining the F-4Dincluded: 89th TFS, 906th TFG 93rd TFS, 482nd TFW 457th TFS, 301 st TFW 465th TFS, 507th TFG 704th TFS, 924th TFG

A brace of F-40's carrying GBU-8 HOBOS munitions (© via Tony Thomborough)

~

Chapter 1

By the late 1980s, most of the AF Reserve units had exchanged their F-4Ds for F-16A /Bs. The last AF Reserve unit to USe the F-4D, the 482nd TFW, converted to F-16A/Bs in ~o\'e mber of 1989. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, ex-USAF F-4Ds began to reach the Air National Guard. The first ANG unit :0 operate the F-4D was the 178th FIS of the I I9th FIG of the ~o rt h Dakota ANG, which got its planes in March of 1977. ANG F-4Ds served both in the tactical fighter role and in the interceptor role.

ANG units Operators

!ron

ced

Illth FIS, 147th FIG, Texas ANG 121st FIS, 113th TFW, District of Columbia ANG 127th FIS, 184th TFG, Kansas ANG 128th FIS, 116th TFG, Georgia ANG 134th FIS, 158th TFG, Vermont ANG 136th FIS, i07th FIG, New York ANG 14 lth TFS, 108th TFW, New Jersey ANG 160th TFS, 187th TFG,AlabamaANG I70th TFS, 18erd TFG, Illinois ANG 17 1st FIS, 19lst FIG, Michigan ANG I77th TFTS, 184th TFG, Kansas ANG 178th FIS, 119th FIG, North Dakota ANG I79th FIS, 148th FG, Minnesota ANG 194th FIS, 144th FIW, California ANG During the early 19905, the F-4Ds in the ANG were all

withdrawn from service and replaced by F- 16s and by 1992, the last F-4Ds had been withdrawn from the fighter interceptor groups of the Air National Guard.

Matching one of the Phantom's nicknames is this 'Rhino' nose art aboard 66491 from the Niagra Falls Air Guard (© Author's Collection)

An F-40 at Eglin AFB where tests were carried out with the 'Pave Knife' pod

19th

(© via Tony Thornborough)

·d '2, Re-

/

One of the F-40's based at Lakenheath in the UK (© via Glenn Sands)

The F-4C and F-4D

~

-~-- --

A heavily laden F-4C at Cam Rahn Bay in 1968, note the underfuselage gun pack (~

Deployment to Vietnam

via Glenn Sands)

The F-4C long with the US Navy versions, the USAF Phantoms became the mainstay of air combat operations in South East Asia. The 15th TFW deployed its 45th Tactical Fighter Squadron to Thailand in 1965 and on July 10, scored their first kills of the Vietnam War when they destroyed two MiG-1 7s ove r North Vietnam with Sidewinder missiles. In time, the F-4C took over the bulk of the heavy fighting over Nor th and South Vietnam. On a typical mission over the North, an F-4C would carry four Sparrows, four Sidewinders, an d a load of eight 75D-pound bombs. The AIM-7D/E Sparrow gave th e Phantom a beyond visual range capability at distances of up to 28 miles, however, such launches were very rarely permitted under the terms of th e rules of engagement. When it was fired , the Sparrow turned out to be virtually useless against fighter-sized targets, especially at low altitudes, wh ich made th e smaller AIM-9B/D Sidewinder the weapon of choice and it scored more aerial victories than any other weapon. On the other side of the coin on July 24 1965, F-4C 63-7599 of the 47th Tactical Fighter

A

Taken early in the war, an ADC grey Phantom takes on gas from a KC-135 (© Boeing)

~

Chapter 1

A gaggle of Phantoms drop their ordnance guided by an EB-66 Destroyer (© USAF)

Squadron was the first Ameri can wa rplane to be dow ned by a surface- to-air missile. In the first two years of combat in Vietnam, the casualties among the first F-4C squ adrons had reached almost 40 percent, for a total of 54 aircraft. Mos t were lost to AAA, but a few were lost in stall/spin accidents at low altitude. The F-4C lacked the gu ns of a complete fighter system, which was found to be a serious deficiency in closein air-to-air combat. The addition of a SUU- 16A gun pod on the under fuselage centerline compensated for the lack of a gun, but it seriously degraded overall performance and in addition made the aircraft somewhat unstable and difficu lt to recover from a spin. The early F-4Cs deployed to Vietnam had problems with leaking wing tanks, these problems being so serious that they needed to be carefully resealed after each flight. The radar too had a tendency to malfunction far too easily, the humid air of Southeast Asia being a persistent problem. Early F-4Cs also suffered problems with cracked ribs and stringers on the outer wing panels, and later aircraft we re equipped with a heavier stringer and an additional wing rib, whilst the ea rlier aircraft had this mod retrofitted. A number of F-4Cs were equipped with a radar homing and wa rni ng (RHAW) system, which enabled these fighters to act as killer pack leaders for air strikes on radar and surface -to-air sites.

Heavily laden Phantoms take on gas from a KC-135 Tanker before heading to target (~

USAF)

Complete with LORAN 'towel rail' 66-761 sits in a revetment at Ubon RTAFB in the August of 1971 (~

via Glenn Sands)

The F-4D rom the spring of 1967, the F-4D gradually began to replace the earlier F-4C in combat in Vietnam. It initially appeared over Vietnam with the 8th TFW, co mmanded by Lt. Col. Robin Olds. The first F-4D MiG kill took place on June 5, 1967, when crewmen Maj. Everett T. Raspberry and Capt. Francis Gullick shot down a MiG- 17 near Hanoi and the F-4D went on to destroy 45 enemy aircraft, and Captain Steve Ritchie of the 432nd TFW got his lifth kill in F-4D number 66-0167 on August 18,1972. However, the infrared Falcon proved relatively unsuccessful in air-to-air combat in Vietnam, shooting down only four ~ liG- 1 7s and one MiG-21 between October 26,1967 and February 5, 1968. The Falcon proved to be somewhat temperamental in service, requiring a lot of careful setting up and tweaking and had a limited manoeuvrability regime and

F

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had a tendency to cause engine flameouts when fired! Perhaps the most significant problem with the AIM-4D was that its fire control system required 6-7 seconds to actually launch the missile after the firing button was pushed, which

Another heavily laden F-4D 67-707 seen at Da Nang in 1968 (~ via Glenn Sands)

ya d at

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n,

The F-4C and F-4D

~

F-4D 67-696 'The Blue Max' at Da Nang in March 1968 (© via Mark Smith)

F-4D, F65-683/DC, Of the 13TFS, 432TRW, based at Udorn, Thailand and the personal mount 01 Aircraft 01 Col. W.E. Bevan (© APiccirillo)

'Triple Nickel' MiG Killer 01 Captain Steve Ritchie, with live Kill-Stars (© via Glenn Sands)

~

Chapter 1

is an eternity in a dogfight. Plus the Falcon required a direct hit to explode, since there was no proximity fuse and the explosive warhead was quite small, only about 4 pounds. In later years, the absence of an internal cannon was seen as a liability in close- in air-to-air combat. The F-4D could carry an external centreline SUU-23 pod containing an M-6IAI cannon, but it was bulky, provided lots of drag which seriously compromised perfo rmance, and was rather inaccurate. The Westinghouse ANI ASQ-152(V) -2 Pave Spike laser target designator was fitted to several F-4Ds. The cylindrical Pave Spike laser designator pod was mounted inside one of the Sparrow missile wells on the fuselage unders ide. The system used television optics, which made it daylight-capable only. Alternatively the ANI AVQ-I 0 Pave Knife laser target des ignator could be carried on the inboa rd underwing pylon of specially modified F-4Ds. This pod had a stabilised head housing a boresighted TV camera and laser; attem pts were made to slave the pod's optics to the aircraft radar, but these were not successful. The system operated by hav ing the pod look in the same direction as the pilot's bomb sight, with the weapons system offi cer then findin g the target on his monitor screen as the pilot pointed his aircraft at it. Combat missions with the Pave Knife began on May 23, 1968, initially in conjunction with the GBU-IO/B laser-guided bomb and all aircraft so equipped were ass igned to the 433rd TFS of the 8th TFW. Perh aps the most spectacular use of Pave Knife was the dropping of a span of the Paul Doumer Bridge

near Hanoi on May 10, 1972 which had survived literally hundreds of previous attacks . Two F-4Ds (66-8738 and 66-88 12) were fitted with the AVQ-II Pave Sword precision attack sensor which consisted of a modified AIM-9 Sidewinder seeker head as a lase r spot tracker for targets designated by AVQ-12 Pave Spot laser designators carried by 0 -2As. The system was mounted inside a modified SUU- II gunpod suspended from the rightforwa rd Sparrow well or from the right inboard underwing pylon. F-4D 66-8700 received the Pave Fire system mounted

in a centreline pod. This system used low-light level television and laser ranging equipment to perform dive- toss bombing missions at night. However, the designation of the target was found to be trickier than expected, and the Pave Fire system was never very successful , and only one Phantom was so modified. Some aircraft assigned to the 8th TFW were fitted with the AVQ-9 Pave Light laser designator, namely to 65-0597, 0609, 0612, 0642, 0677, 0706, 0786,and 66-88 14,88 15,88 17,and 8823. This designator was mounted on the left side of the rear canopy frame of the F-4D. In order to use the system, the pilot had to fl y in a left turn around the ta rget and shine the lase r while other aircraft attacked it. If an emergency escape proved to be necessary, the WSO first had to remove and store the designator before he could safely eject. AN/ARN-92 LORAN- D navigation equipment was fitted to 72 Pave Phantom F-4Ds and these aircraft could be readily be identified by a rather prominent 'towel-rail' antenna on the upper rear fuselage behind the rear cockpit, and the primary mission of these aircraft was seeding of the Ho Chi Minh trail with sensors, which required the precise night-time navigational capability provided by LORAN. The primary

An F-4D is prepared lor Ilight

(© via USAF)

1t-

67-457 01 the 497 TFS, 8th TFW 'Wallpack' during 'Rolling Thunder' operations. Note the black undersides (© via Richard L Ward)

F-4D 68-782/FD with intakes shrouded

F-4D 'The SainI' 01 Colonel Paul C Watson 01 the 366th TFW at Da Nang

F-4D ollhe 8th TFW 'Wollpack' and 'Old Eagle Eye' (© A Piccirillo)

(IC> J. W Boyce)

n

.e

e

il (© A Piccirillo)

The F-4C and F-4D

~

67-554 an F-4D and double MiG-Killer (© J. II( Boyce)

Vietnam WSO Charles DeBelievue who partnered Captain 'Steve' Richie in downing a MiG on the 10th May 1972 (© USAF)

Vietnam Ace Colonel Robin OIds (e USAF)

operators of the towel-rail F-4Ds were the 25th and 497th TFS of the 8th TFW and the 555th TFS of the 432nd TFW. Subsequently, these aircraft were passed along to the 457th TFS of the 30 1st TFW, the 23rd TFS of the 52nd TFW, and the 704th TFS of the 924th TFG. The Combat Tree modification of 1968-69 permitted the retention of a full missile load while carrying electronic The results of a mortar aHack on this Phantom are pretty clear! (e via Glenn Sands)

~

Chapter 1

countermeasures gear. It did this by adding an attachment point for a countermeasures pod on the inboard pylon, which could now carry two more AIM-9J Sidewinder missiles on each side. Under the Pave Arrow program, two F-4Ds were equipped with a Sidewinder infrared seeker mounted in a fixed pod for locating heat sources from ground targets. The Phantom's exploits in Vietnam are well documented in other publications and space precludes detailing their actions within the pages of this Dataflle.

loaded with 'Sticks' and taking on gas (© via Glenn Sands)

ie

ich

'Snoopy' on an unidentified F·4 (© J.W Boyce)

66·371 , 34th TFS, 388th TFW 'Arizona Chicken'

65·459 an RF·4C of the 11th IRS 'Night Owl' (© J.W Boyce)

F·40 68· 782/FA of the 25th TFS, 8th TFW, based at Ubon, November 1968. Yellow air intets on lower nose, canopy trim, dragon and placard all oullined black. Name 'Flave' on nose air intake is in purple (© A Piccinllo)

(© J.W Boyce)

The He and HD

~

The RF-4C 65-907 Irom the Kentucky Air Guard wearing a variation 01 the SEA colour scheme (© Glenn Sands)

An early Gulf Grey RF-4C with its Buu Number FJ-051 (© USAF)

~

Chapter2

he RF-4C was the unarmed photographic reconnaissance version of the USAF's F-4C where the armament and radar of the fighter version was removed and replaced with specialised photo-reconnaissance equipment. Perhaps the most distinctive difference between the F-4C and the RF-4C was the presence of a new, longer, more pointed nose in which the fire control radar of the fighter version was replaced by cameras, mapping radar, and infrared imaging eq uipment for its reconnaissance role. McDonnell had studied a number reconnaissa nce versions for the USAF and in January 1961 this led to the Specific Operational Req uirement 196, wh ich by December 31 1962 had evolved in parallel with the development of the RF-4B Photo-Phantom for the Marin e Corps. The first YRF-4C, 62-1 2200, took its maiden flight on August 9, 1963, fitted with the now familiar extended glazed nose associated with the RF-4C, but not fitted with cameras or other reconnaissance systems. It was followed on September 30, 1963 by the second YF-4C, 62-12201, and this aircraft now sported high and low panoramic and frame cameras but still lacked most of the other systems that were planned for production aircraft. The RF-4C had three camera stations in the nose, a forward camera station (situated just behind the radar) which could carry a single oblique or vertical KS-S7 camera, behind that, in the number two or 'Low Altitude' station, a KA-56 low-altitude camera could be carried, (although this could be replaced by a trio of vertical, left, and right oblique KS-B7 cameras - or a vertical KA- l could also be carried in the low-altitude station instead of the KS-B7, or a KS-72 could replace a KS-B7 in the 30-degree oblique position) and in the third or 'High Altitude' station just ahead of the cockpit under the nose where a single KA-55A or KA-9 ! high-altitude panoramic camera in a stabilised mount could be carried. Alternatively, two split vertical KS-B7 cameras could be carried in this position, or KC-l or T-ll mapping cameras could be installed. The High Altitude station could also house an AN/AVD-2 1aser reconnaissance set, but this was later withdrawn from use.

T

The RF-4C was also fitted with a 'photoflash' ejection system for night photography with the ejectors being fitted on the upper rea r fuselage behind hydraulically-actuated doors. Up to and including RF-4C 71-0259, pairs of ejectors were fitted on each side, one with 26 M11 2 cartridges and one with 10M 123 cartridges, however fro m RF-4C 72-0145 onward, a single LA249A ejec tor was carried, with 20 MISS cartridges. The AN/APQ-72 radar in the nose of the F-4C was replaced by the very much smaller Texas Instruments ANI APQ-99 two-lobe monopulse J-band radar which had both terrain-avoidance and terrain-following modes, as well as a ground mapping capability. This was later replaced by the Texas Instruments ANI APQ-l 72 in all surviving RF-4Cs. Electronic reconnaissance sensors included an ANI AAD-5 or ANI AAS-IB infrared detection set which was installed just aft of the nose wheel bay. The AA D-5 infrared linescan unit with high performance in dual fields and automatic control of velocitylheight ratio and could convert video signals into a permanent film record whereas the ANI AAS-I B offered improved optics and up to 350 feet of S0249B film. Some RF4Cs were also fitted with the AN/AVQ-9 infra red detection set and laser target designator to provide slant range for weapons

-.-

- ----

--

--

-------

--

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·18

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A close-up of the artwork applied to the Alabama ANG Celebratory Phantom (© Authors Col/,elion)

---

64-053 from the California ANG. Note the crew's equipment hanging over the travel pod on the inboard pylon (\0 Author's Collection)

ns

The RF-4C

~

The Alabama Air National Guard celebrated 35 years of the Phabulous Phantom in style at the London International Airshow in Ontario (© Author's Collection)

64-051 showing the typical low-visibility marking applied to the Alabama Air National Guard RF-4C's in their later years (© Author's Collection)

65-896 in European 1 or 'Lizard' camouflage (© Author's Coffection)

A pristine looking RF-4C 68571 obviously showing the markings of the 12 AMU along with its BA tailcode. The sharp nose demarcation lines on the upper grey are well evident here (© Author's Collection)

~

Chapter 2

aiming and high-resolution thermal imaging. The RF-4C was also fitted with a Goodyear AN/APQ- 102 SLAR Sideways Looking Airborne Radar, or 'fan scan' with antennae built into either side of the lower nose just aft of the optical reconnaissance bay. This system also included a Moving Target Indicator which enabled the tracking of slow-moving targets. This system was later replaced on some aircraft with the :\NI APD-lO, with an extended range antenna in a modified 600-gallon external fuel tank and a UPD-8 data-link assembly. This data-link had a steerable antenna which made it possible to send radar images to ground stations in real time. The ARC105 high-frequency radio required a giant shunt antenna which was recessed into both sides of the vertical fin and this fit required the upper pitot head be deleted. The original nose shape featured a flat underside and an angled window projection for the High Altitude Station, however many RF-4Cs

The Phantom always leant itself to decoration, as can be seen here on the 117th TRW 'Spook' (© Author's Cottection)

The RF-4C's last hurrah was the Operation Oesert Storm, and here 64-047 taxies out for another mission, complete with wing mounted ECM pod (©USAF)

65-910 in the markings of the tdaho ANG . This aircraft was retired to AMARC on 25th August 1995 (© Author's Cottection)

were modified with an aerodynamically-refined nose with a bulge added to the camera housing which allowed larger cameras to be carried. From aircraft 69-0375 onward, the lowaltitude panoramic camera could be used in conjunction with an ejectable film cassette; this was designed to get film into the hands of ground-based intelligence units as rapidly as possible. Upon ejection, the film cassette deployed a parachute and a transmitter which aided recovery. However, this system proved to be impractical in the field, and immediate post-flight film processing capability was provided by mobile film processing 'vans' which were quickly deployed to Southeast Asia. The RF-4C was provided with 'stick and rudder' controls in the rear seat, and the back-seater or 'reconnaissance package operator' could and did fly the aircraft on many occasions, especially on long overwater flights. However as the view from the back seat was very poor, landings were impracticable as the

A sad picture of 72-0146 from the 10th TRW based at RAF Alconbury at the RAF Brawdy Airshow in 1986. Not an hour after this shot was taken the aircraft crashed into the sea during its display, killing both crew. (© Author's Collection)

Nearest the camera 65-931 is from the Mississippi ANG, in company with another RF-4C from the California Air Guard. Note the colour of the ANG badge (© Author's Cottection)

TheRF-4C

~

The 'bulged nose' version 01 the RF-4C can be clearly seen here (© Glenn Sands)

An RF-4C rests having just undergone an engine test at March AFB in California (© Author's Collection)

69-370 of the 26th TRW based at Zwiebriicken in Germany (© Aulhor's Colleclion)

ZR ;- 26TRW

Close-up of the artwork applied to the top recce-jet of Gulf War I (© Suresh AlapaNu)

~

Chapter2

The Alabama Air Guard celebrated 75 years by painting up one of their RF-4s to commemorate 'Jennies to Jets! Note also the Sidewinder missiles (© Gary Chambers)

Looking straight down the front of a 'liat nosed' RF-4C showing the shape and position of the forward-facing camera (© Mark Carlisle)

This Zwiebriicken based RF-4C 68-595 carries the LORAN 'towel rail' antennae on its spine and a full colour 'stars and bars' (© Dennis Robinson)

rear position had no means of lowering the landing gear normally, (in order to lower the landing gear, the backseater had to pull an emergency handle to blow the gear down, which would deplete the hydraulics and cause the wheel brakes to fail) and in addition, the backseater could not lower the arrester hook or deploy the drag chute. The ECM capabilities of the RF-4C were progressively upgraded throughout its long service life and the radar homing and warning systems (RHAWS) fitted included the ALR- 17, -31, -46, -50 or -126 and late in its service life the standardised ANI ALR-46A radar. Newer electronic systems included the Litton 'Pave Onyx' AN/ALQ-125 TEREC (Tactical Electronic Reconnaissance) sensor with data link equipment for transmission in near real-time and also retrofitted to some

Although looking a little weary and close to retirement this RF-4C still inspires! (© Gary Chambers)

66-467 shows oil the 'European l' or 'Lizard' colour scheme to great ellect (© Glenn Sands)

...

TheRF-4C

~

A good underfuselage view of the RF-4C showing its camera ports and electronic sensor bulges along the forward fuselage side. Note the lack of Sparrow missile recesses, a trademark of the unarmed RF-4 family (© Gary Chambers)

68-600 in SEA camouflage with the 'LORAN' 'towel rail' on its spine. This fit was later removed from all RF-4Cs (11:> Gary Chambers)

Close in on the 'toothy' nose of a 'Desert Storm' veteran, noted by the 'camels' painted on the splitter plate (11:> AuIMr'SCalfecYan)

~ Chapter2

block 37 aircraft was the Lear Siegler AN/ARN-IOI digital modular avionics system navigational unit, with a few aircraft also carrying the Chicago Aerial Industries Electronic WideAngle Camera System (EWACS) . The AN/AVQ-26 'Pave Tack' infrared detection set could also be carried by thirty-nine specially-wired RF-4Cs and again a few of these aircraft could also carry the AN/ AVQ-9laser target designator slaved to the IR detecting set with a retrofitted upgraded APQ-I72 forwardlooking radar. In 1970, twenty RF-4Cs (IS of the Block-40 RF-4Cs and two from Block 41) were retrofitted with the ARN-92 LORAN-D navigation system with a 'towel rail' antenna on the upper rear fuselage, which provided all-weather blind navigation capability. The RF-4C could also carry the gigantic General Dynamics HIAC-1 LOROP (Long-Range Oblique Photography) camera system housed inside a large G-139 pod mounted on the fuselage centreline. This camera system was originally developed for the General Dynamics/Martin RB-S7F and was capable of showing astonishing detail at standoff distances as large as 100 miles. Several LOROP-equipped RF-4Cs flew reconnaissance missions along the North Korean and Eastern European borders, however, with such a large pod mounted underneath the fuselage, the performance was severely compromised and later, 24 aircraft were outfitted to carry a

CAl KS-127 A or KS- 127F LOROP camera with a 66' focal length in camera stations 2 and 3. Initially, the RF-4C carried no weapons, with the underfuselage Sparrow missile slots of the F-4C being omitted. However, in an emergency the RF-4C could carry a nuclear weapon on the centreline position, but this was rarely done in practice. Aircraft from the Europeanbased 10th TRW were eventually fitted with AJB-7 10w-altitude bombing system equipment just in case the delivery of nuclear weapons ever became necessary. In later years, RF-4Cs were armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles on their inner wing pylon for self-defence and provision was also made to carry an AN/ALQ-IIS(V)-IS or Raytheon AN/ALQ-184(V)1 ECM pod on the starboard inner wing pylon. The first production RF-4Cs went to the 33rd TRTS training unit at Shaw AFB in September 1964 and the first operational unit to receive the RF-4C was the 16th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron of the 363rd TRW at Shaw AFB, achieving initial combat-readiness in August of 1965. Even then, early RF-4Cs continued to fly without their full operational equipment, and many of the components carried were still unqualified. As part of the 460th TRW, the 16th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron was deployed to Tan Sun Nhut in South Vietnam in October of 1965 and the second RF-4C squadron in action in Southeast Asia was the ISth TRS, which entered combat in February of 1967. Initial missions turned up a whole host of problems and deficiencies such as the AN/APQ-102A side-looking radar, which had major teething troubles and was initially very unreliable in combat and took years before its problems were fully fixed. Likewise the AN/AAS-IS infrared sensor was initially defective and had to be improved. During the next eight years of the Vietnam War, the RF-4C served at various times with the 11th, 12th, 14th and 16th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadrons, flying missions from Tan Son Nhut

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The RF-4C was a familiar sight over the skies of the UK with the 10th TRW being based at RAF Alconbury (© Gary Chambers)

Another 'sharksmouth' variation on this 'bulged nose' RF·4C (© Gary Chambers)

Another Sharksmouth aboard the chirpily named 'Freeze Frame' (© Author's Collection)

TheRF·4C

~

Taken in a revetment during the Vietnam War, a camouflaged RF-4C is readied for a night mission. (© USAF)

'Phantoms Finest' from the Kentucky ANG (© Glenn Sands)

AB and from Udorn RTAFB in Thailand flying unescorted day missions until 1972, over North and South Vietnam as well as Laos. The aircraft gained an impressive record during the most intense yea rs of the war as no RF-4Cs were lost to enemy fighters, however, seven were shot down by SAMs and sixtyfive were destroyed by AAA or small arms fi re, and four were destroyed on the ground with a furth er seven being lost in operational accidents. The last of the 503 production RF-4Cs was delivered in December of 1973, giving the aircraft a production run of over ten years, longer than any other Phantom variant save the F-4E. Interestingly the RF-4C was the first version of the Phantom to reach the Air National Guard with the 106th TRS of the 11 7th TRW of the Alabama ANG, first to receive the jet in February of 197 1, replacing that unit's RF-84F Thunderflashes. Afterwards, eight more Guard squadrons acquired RF-4Cs, and a training unit was added to the Idaho ANG. By early 1989, the number of RF-4C squadrons serving on active duty with the

USAF was down to seven and these comprised the 16th TRS at Shaw AFB, the 12th TRS, 45th TRTS, 62nd TRS, and 91st TRS at Bergstrom AFB with TAC, the 15th TRS at Kadena AB on Okinawa with PACAF, and the 38th TRS at Zwiebrucken AB in Germany with USAFE. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact led to accelerated retirement and in 1989, the 15th TRS was transferred from the 18th TFW at Kadena to the 406th TRG at Taegu AB in Korea, and was inactivated a year later. The retirement of the last remain ing USAFE and TAC RF-4C units was in the planning stages when Iraq invaded Kuwait in August of 1990, and further deactivation plans were put on hold. Consequently, the RF-4C was still in service with the USAF at the time of Desert Storm . In response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwai t, the 106th TRS of the 1I 7th TRW of the Alabama ANG deployed on August 24, 1990 to Sheika Isa in Bahrain as part of Desert Shield, and its LOROP-equipped aircraft were used to conduct pre-war surveillance of Iraqi forces in occupied Kuwait as well as those deployed along the Saudi Arabia-Iraq border. In December, the 106th TRS was relieved by the 192nd TRS of the Nevada ANG and later, RF-4Cs taken fro m the USAF's 12th TRS/67th TRW and the 38th TRS/26th TRW were deployed to the Gulf whilst the 26th TRW of USAFE was detached to the 7440th Composite Wing at Incirlik AB in Turkey and the 67th TRW went to the 35th TFW (Prov isional) at Sheik Isa AB in Bahrai n to serve alongside the RF-4Cs the Air National Guard. It's worth noting that some of these aircraft were veterans of combat in Vietnam. When the first air strikes aga inst Iraq took place on January 17, 1991, the RF-4Cs were in action from the

A line up of 18 TRW aircraft from Shaw AFB carrying the JO tail code. 01 note is the plethora of stencil markings showing all the major servicing pOints and warning areas (© Ken Wilhers)

~

Chapter2

Ava-26 Pave Tack test fitted to an RF-4C

(© Via Tony TlJomborough)

start although at first, they were limited to daylight operations, flying over Kuwait almost every day in search of Republican Guard units, however they were soon involved in operations over Baghdad looking for such targets as rocket fuel plants, chemical weapons plants, and command and communications centres. The RF-4Cs were also repeatedly diverted from other photographic missions to go and look for Scud launchers hiding in western Iraq. Following the end of Desert Storm, the RF-4Cs of the 26th TRW and the 67th TRW returned to their home bases, of Zwiebrucken in Germany and Bergstrom in Texas and within a year, all of the remaining RF-4Cs had been withdrawn from USAF service. The 26th TRW was deactivated in April of 1991 and its RF-4Cs were relegated to storage whilst the 91st TRS of the 67th TRW was deactivated in September of 1991 with the 12th TRS and the remainder of the wing standing down in 1994, thus ending RF-4C service with front line USAF units. After the end of the Gulf War the phase-out of the ANG RF-4Cs was also accelerated. The 163rd TRG, the 186th TRG, the I55th RF-4C OPERATIONAL UNITS • 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing ·18th Tactical Fighter Wing , 15th TRS • 26th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing • 66th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing • 75th Tactical Re connaissance Wing • 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing • 432nd Tactical Reconnai ssa nce Wing • 460th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing

An RF-4C with an UPO SLAR fitted under the nose (© V~ Tony TlJomborough)

---

TRG, and the 117th TRW switched to the aerial refuelling mission in 1992-94, trading in their RF-4Cs for KC-135s. The 124th TRG of the Idaho ANG converted to F-4G 'Wild Weasels' and the 192nd RS of the Nevada ANG finally turned in its last four RF-4Cs on September 27, 1995, their planes being flown to Davis-Monthan AFB for storage. AIR NATIONAL GUARD UNITS ·106th TRS, 117th TRW, Alabama ANG ·153rd TRS, 186th TRG , Mississippi ANG • 160th TRS , 187th TRG , Alabama ANG • 165th TRS , 123rd TRW, Kentucky ANG ·173rd TRS , 155th TRG , Nebraska ANG • 179th TRS , 148th TRG , Minnesota ANG ·189th TRTF, 124th TRG , Idaho ANG ·190th TRS , 124th TRG, Idaho ANG • 192nd TRS, 152nd TRG , Nevada ANG ·196th TRS , 163rd TRG , California ANG

An RF-4C in wrap-around South East Asia scheme (@USAF)

A superb tail art adorns this Kadena based 18th TFW 'No Gun Shogun' RF-4C and found on one of the Two Bobs decal sheets (© Glenn Sands)

TheRF-4C

~

RF-4C Camera Nose Details Photos © Author's Collection &USAF, Diagrams © McDonnell Douglas

~

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The various camera windows in the RF-4C nose

~

Chapter 2

"

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~ "" 17

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The RF-4C

~

RF-4C Camera Nose Details Photos © Author's Collection & USAF, Diagrams © McDonneff Douglas

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~

Chapter2

Port side camera aperture details

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The in-cockpit camera selection panel Refitting the camera after a film change. Note the flat undernose on this early RF4

TheRF-4C

~

RF-4C Carnera Nose Details

------

Photos © Author's Collection . & USAF, Diagrams © McDonnell Douglas

The RF-4C's rear moun ted Photoflash bay IOn detail

UPPER PH OTOFLASH CARTRIDGE EJECTOR

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Chapter 2

RF-4C Cockpit · 1 - 3 Front cockpit · 4 Rear cockpit (© Author's Collection)

TheRF-4C

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Colour Side-views • 1 • F-4C

64-0676, F-4C, 12 TFW, Cam Ramh Bay, in 1966. Light Gull Grey (FS 36440) and white

63-7588, F-4C, 557 TFS, 12 TFW, Cam Ranh Bay, 1968. FS30219 Tan/FS 34079 Green/FS 34102 Green over FS36622 Grey. Names on canopy rail not readable

63-7676, F-4C, 4TFTS, 58 TFTW, Luke AFB, AZ, in 1976. Note 2 MiG kills on the splitter plate. FS30219 Tan/FS 34079 Green/FS 34102 Green over FS36622 Grey

63-7589, F-4C, 57 FIS, Keflavik, lceland, circa 1976177. Overall FS 16473 AOC Grey

Colour Art © David Howley

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Colour Side-views

Colour Side-views • 2 • F-4C/EF-4C/F-4D

64-0829, F-4C, 93rd TFS, 482 TFW. Marked as the flagship of the 482nd TFW, the aircraft is also a double MiG killer. Pilot: Col. D. Erwin and WSO Capt. B. Hancock. Homestead AFB April 1982. Wrap-around FS30219 Tan/FS 34079 Green/FS 34102 Green over FS36622 Grey

63-7583, F-4C, 171 FIS, 191 FIG, Mitchigan ANG, Selfridge ANG Base, circa 1982-86. Overall FS 16473 ADC Grey

64-0847, EF-4C, 39 TFTS (later 563 TFS), 35 TFW, circa 1977/78. FS30219 Tan/FS 34079 Green/FS 34102 Green over FS36622 Grey

65-0689, F-4D, 48 TFW, RAF lakenheath, August 1975. FS34201 Tan replaces FS30219 Tan/FS 34079 Green/FS 34102 Green over FS36622 Grey. Note the small patch of 30219 behind the codes

Colour Art © David Howley

Colour Side-views

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Colour Four-views • 3 • F-4D

;/

I' I

; ;/

/

66-7554, F-4D, "Trapper", 555 TFS, 432 TRW, 21 July 1971 . "Trapper" on inner NWD possibly in black with red insert. "Snoopy" white with blue helmet, black goggles, brown boots and red searl. FS30219 Tan/FS 34079 Green/FS 34102 Green over FS36622 Grey. Note the unusual serial presentation 67554 instead 01 the correct 66554

Colour Art © David Howley

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Colour Side-views

i

Colour Side-views • 4 • F-4D

66-8790, F-4D, 23 TFS, 52 TFW, Spangdahlen, circa early 1970s. FS30219 Tan/FS 34079 Green/ FS 34102 Green over FS36622 Grey. 23 TFS badge carried on port side

66-7610, F-4D, "08" of 160 TFS, 187 TFG, Alabama ANG, Danelly Field, Montgomery, Al, circa 1984. FS34079 Green/FS34102 Green/FS 36081 Dark Grey wrap-around

65-0742, F-4D, 179 FIS, 148 FIG, Minnesota ANG, Duluth, in June 1987. "Hill Greys" of FS 26118 Dark Grey over FS 26270 Medium Grey

66-7460, F-4D, 111 FIS, 147 FIG, Texas ANG, Ellington in December 1989. "Hill Greys" of FS 26118 Dark Grey over FS 26270 Medium Grey

Colour Art © David Howley

Colour Side-views

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Colour Side-views • 5 • RF-4C 65-0B25, RF-4C, 22 TRS , 26 TRW, Tour-Rosieres AFB, France, in 1965. Light Gull Grey (FS 36440) and white

65-0905, RF-4C, 11 TRS, 432 TRW, Udorn RTAFB, circa late 1960's. Very worn appearance with numerous patches, which may indicate that the aircraft is undegoing IRAN (Inspection & Repair As Necessary)

69-0381 , RF-4C, 1 TRS, 10 TRW, RAF Alconbury, July 1985. FS34079 Green/FS34102 Green/FS 36081 Dark Grey wrap-around

69-0370, RF-4C, 38 TRS, 26 TRW, Zweibrucken, circa 1991 . "Hill Greys" of FS 26118 Dark Grey over FS 26270 Medium Grey

Colour Art © David Howley

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Colour Side-views

Colour Side-views • 6 • F-4D

67-0279, F-4E, "The Wreckin Crew", 34 TFS, 388 TFW, Khorat AFB, in 1970. Pilot Maj Don Parkhurst. FS30219 Tan/FS 34079 Green/FS 34102 Green over FS36622 Grey

Serial UNK, F-4E Phantom, "1" of the Thunderbirds, flown by Lt.Col. Tom Swaim in 1972. Note the under-wingtip stripes were not added until 1969

I' U. S.

AIR-F'ORC~

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67-0361 , F-4E, 31 TFW, Homestead AFB, circa mid-1970s. FS34201 Tan/ FS30219 Tan/FS 34079 Green/FS 34102 Green over FS36622 Grey. Note use of FS34201 Tan on rear fuselage and FS30219 Tan on forward fuselage

66-0300, F-4E, 57 FIS, Keflavik, Iceland, circa 1984. Overall FS 16473 ADC Grey

Colour Art © David Howley

Colour Side-views

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Colour Side-views • 7 • F-4E/F-4G 72-0143, F-4E, Squadron CO, 334 TFS, 4 TFW, Seymour-Johnson AFB, NC, in September 1988. FS34079 Green/FS34102 Green/FS 36081 Dark Grey wrap-around

69-7208, F-4G, possibly 563 TFS, 37 TFW, George AFB, CA, 1982/3. FS30219 Tan/FS 34079 Green/FS 34102 Green over FS36622 Grey. Badge of the City of Victorville, with text "City of Victorville/Sweet Sixteen"

Colour Art © David Howley

Paint References NAME

FS REFERENCE

TAMIYA

REVELL

GUNZE HOBBY

TESTOR / MM

HUMBROl

USAF Early US Gull Grey

36440

325

1729, 1730

129

White

37875

XF2

5

11

1768

34

US Dark Green

34079

XF65

67

309

1710

116

US Light Green

34102

303

1713

117

US Tan

30219

1742

11 8

Camouflage Grey

36622

311

1733

28

309

1710

116

303

1713

117

1742

118

US Air Force Vietnam

US Air Force Wrap-around US Dark Green

34079

US Light Green

34102

US Tan

30219

XF65

67

US Air Force Eu ropean 1 US Dark Green

34079

309

1710

116

US Light Green

34102

XF65

67

303

1713

117

Dark Grey

36081

301

32

US Air Force Hill Grey I US Dark Grey

36118

305

1723

125

US Medium Grey

36270

306

1725

126

US Ghost Grey

36375

308

1428, 1728

127

US Dark Grey

36118

305

1723

125

US Medium Grey

36270

306

1725

126

36473

338

1732

147

S Air Force Hill Grey II

US Air Force ADC Grey Light Grey

~

Colour Side-views

Colour Four-views • 8 • F-4G

I

69-7212. F-4G. 52 FW. Spangdahlen. Germany. in June 1992. "Hill Greys" of FS 26118 Dark Grey over FS 26270 Medium Grey. Note 5 "mission marks" on the splitter intake

Colour Art © David Howley

Colour Side-views

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The F-4E D

66-393 of the 1st TFW snapped at Pease AFB in 1974 wearing three-tone SEA Camouflage with light grey undersides (© via Mark Smith)

uring the initial design of the Phantom, several proposals had been considered for a cannon-armed version, however the philosophy of the day was that the air-to-air missile was king and that the internal gun was considered obsolete, and consequently all Phantoms to reach production had been armed exclusively with missiles. However, the all-missile fighter had shown some serious drawbacks in its initial air-to-air battles over Vietnam as the early Sparrow, Falcon, and Sidewinder air-to-air missiles did not perform up to expectations. The Phantoms could carry a podded cannon mounted on the centreline, but it was relatively inaccurate, caused excessive drag which reduced the performance of the aircraft carrying it, and took up a valuable weapons station. An initial F-4 variant with an internal M61 cannon had been proposed by McDonnell to the USAF as early as the March of 1961, but this had met with little enthusiasm. However McDonnell began a new design study for a gun-armed Phantom in late 1964 which fina lly got the attention of the Air Force. The gun-armed 'F-4E' was finally funded in June of 1965 and was destined to be produced in greater numbers than any other single Phantom va riant. The main difficulty in equipping the Phantom with an internal cannon was in finding a place to put it. The solution was found in using a sharper, longer nose like that of the RF4C reconnaissance version and fitted with an AN/APG-30 radar set beneath which a recontoured section carried a single six-barrel20-mm General Electric M61A1 rotary cannon. The firstYRF-4C (62-12200) was modified to test this new arrangement carrying a cannibalised gunsight from an Air National Guard F-1 OOD and flight test instrumentation carried in a centreline pod. Temporarily redesignated the YF4E, the modified aircraft first flew on August 7, 1965. After 50 flights, the first aircraft was re-engined with j79-GE-jlB power-plants and the results were sufficiently encouraging to

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Chapter3

warrant a further two YF-4Es being produced by modifying an F-4C (63-7445) and an F-4D (65-0713), and these aircraft now had the definitive nose-mounted cannon installation. The second YF-4E had the gun and no radar, but the third had both the gun and the radar. The severe space constraints in the new nose meant that a new ammunition feed system had to be designed for the M61AI cannon, and in addition, the proximity of the gun to the radar set requ ired that very effective vibration dampers and noise/blast eliminators had to be designed. An initial batch of 96 F-4Es was ordered in August 1966 as part of an F-4D contract and the first production F-4E (66-0284) flew on June 30, 1967. The gun installation underneath the nose precluded the installation of the large radar set that was fitted to the F-4C and F-4D, so the F-4E carried the solid-state Westinghouse AN/APQ-l20 X-band radar which had a smaller antenna, however, due to the late delivery of the AN/ APQ-120 radar,

- -

-------

. ~

ft

IS

Ihe first 30 F-4Es were delivered without any radar at all. The :\N/APQ- 120 was to have been provided with a Hughesdeveloped Coherent On-Receive Doppler System (CORDS ), which it was hoped wou ld make it easier to detect low-flying airc raft up aga inst gro und clutter. However, this system proved to be so erratic that the initial deployment was sl ipped from the 35th F-4E to the 120th. Continued problems caused CORDS to be cancelled on January 2, 1968. The F-4E was to also to have been fitted with the AN/APS- I07 radar ho ming and warni ng system (RHAW), but this eq uipment performed so unsatisfactorily that the first 67 F-4Es were delivered without any RHAW at all. The weight of the gun and its 639-round ammunition drum was co unterbalanced by fitting an additional 95-gallon iuel tank in the rear fuselage, bringing total internal fuel capacity to 1993 gallons, and the upper fin -mounted pitot was relocated to the extreme nose. The F-4E retained the

semi-recessed AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missiles and the external store stations of the earlier variants and used a pair of J79-GE-17. In the interest of eliminat ing excess weight, the powered folding wi ng mechanism of the earlier USAF Phantoms was finally eliminated as was the emergency ramair turbine on the upper rear fuselage. It turned out that the elimination of the emergency ram-air turb ine was a mistake, and some sort of emergency power source was needed in case of engine failure. Consequently, starting with Block 40 (68-0452), an auxiliary power unit was added underneath the stabilator. However, it was only a battery-powered electrically-driven hydraulic pump and was not a small turbine engine. It provided just enough control to allow time for ejection, and probably wo uld not last long enough to allow a landing. The second production F-4E (66-0285) flew for the first time on September II , 1967 and differed fro m 66-0285 by hav ing a slotted stabilator which was added in

Dressed in 'Lizard' garb at Nellis AFB in Nevada is the Commander's aircraft from the 37th TFW (© via Marie Smith)

A smart polka-dot rudder adorns this Seymour-Johnson F-4E 72-142 (© via Marie Smith)

TheF-4E

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68-400, a short-nosed F-4E with plenty of weathering sits on the George AFB ramp, and was part of the 479th TFW (© via Mark Smith)

A fearsome 'Spook' 68-329 from Osan AFB (© via Glenn Sands)

Looking spruce and ready for action is 67-361 from the 31 st TFW (© Wa Mark Smilh)

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Chapter 3

order to give greater effectiveness, helpi ng to counteract the increased weight in the nose, and this aircraft also introduced the long 'turkey feather' afterbu rner, which became a trademark of the F-4E. From the aircraft of Block 42, the more advanced AN/APR-36/37 radar and homing warning system was fitted, as this was a more comprehensive set than the troublesome APS-1D7, and was served by four flat, circular, spira l receiving anten na, one on each side of the

extreme end of the rear fuselage facing aft, and one at the front of each wi ngtip fac ing forward . At block 48 the main wingbox was given thicker lower skins, and a Northrop-designed ASX-l electro-optical TISEO Target Identification System Electro-Optical target acquisition and tracking sensor was added in a pod mounted on the inner left wing leading edge, consisting of a TV camera and a powerful1 200mm zoom lens. When the Block 48 aircraft were

66-330 a short-nosed F-4E from the 1st TFW (© via Glenn Sands)

74-652 from the 32 TFS based at Soesterberg in Holland taxies in carrying an ALQ-119 ECM pod and TISEO on the wing (© via Mark Smith)

:r

later upgraded to ARN-IOI standards, the ASN-63 inertial navigation system, the ASQ-9 1 weapons release computer, and the ASN-46A analogue nav igation computer set were deleted whilst the ASG-26 lead computing optical gunsight was improved and made easier to use, with weapons control switches and displays also made easier to read. The most significant change on the F-4E was the replacement of the blown leading-edge wing droops of earl ier Phantoms by slats. This was done in the interest of obtaining enhanced combat ma noeuvrability, which had been one of the Phantom's weak points. The outer leading-edge slats were driven by a hydrau lic jack and terminated in a large 'dogtooth' at the inboard end where the wing folding joint had once been. Immediately dow nstream of the dogtooth edge was a small wing fence. The inboard wing was also fitted with powered slats which terminated about three feet from the root. The first production F-4E to be fitted with slats was 71-0237, but the first to actually fly with slats was 71-0238 which took its maiden fl ight on February I I, 1972. The addition of these slats greatly enhanced the manoeuvring performance, and the USAF decided to retrofit just about eve ry surviving F-4E except for those serving wi th the Thunderbirds.

Home on the Range! 67-270 with MERs filted with practice bombs tops up from a KC-10 and heads for the hills (© Curtiss Knowles)

By block 56 the AN/APR-36/37 system was replaced by th e Itek AN/ALR-46 RHAWS with fast digital processing capability and a cockpit display plus automatic control of jamming assets, and at about the same time, all F-4Es were wired to be able to take two electronic jammer pods (which were usually the Westinghouse ALQ-13I) and were fitted with an ANI APX-80 IFF controller in the cockpit. In addition, the aircraft were given the capability of carrying an optional removable KB-18A strike camera in the right front Sparrow slot. Interestingly in the post-Vietnam era, the ECM

TheF-4E

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Wearing a curious shade of green instead of the familiar tan, 69-267 from the 35 TFW at George AFB is under tow (© via Mark Smith)

68-411 looking resplendent in its 'Hill Grey' scheme (© Author's Collection)

68-4471rom the 1st TFW has a weary weathered look (4:> via Mark Smith)

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Chapter3

pods introduced such as the ALQ- 11 9, QRC-80-01, ALQ-13I, and ALQ-184 could not be carried in the right front Sparrow well because of the longer nose gear door and the F-4Es could only carry an ECM pod in the left front Sparrow well or on the inboard weapons pylons. The AVQ-23A/B Pave Spike laser target designator and rangefinder system was fitted to several later F-4Es and was retrofitted to some earlier aircraft, and this system was the first laser designation pod method designed to provide the capability of autonomous delivery of laser guided bombs at night. It was originally planned to eq uip 180 F-4Es with this system , but because of delays and development problems the actual number equipped was substantially lower. The pod was too large to be fully compatible with the F-4E, and it had to be carried on the centreline station, replacing the 600-gallon external fue l tank and taking up valuable bomb-carriage space. Also retrofitted to Block 48 aircraft was the AN/ AVQ-

26 Pave Tack infrared/laser target designator, as well as the AN/ ASX-I electro-optical target identification system. One major adva nce, retro-fitted to some 180 TISEO equipped F4Es, was the Lear Siegler AN/ARN-IO I(V) digital navigational/attack system, an update which started in the autumn of 1977, and aircraft carrying this system could be distinguished by the presence of a 'doghouse' antenna and blade aerial on the fuselage spine and dissipator an tennae on the tail and wings . This fit changed the avionics from analogue to digital and increasing the Phantom's capabilities. Three Missouri ANG F-4Es were fitted with a new single-piece blown windshield in the late 1980's, however this was never adopted as a fleet-wide fit. The F-4E stayed in production for twelve years, and a total of 1387 F-4Es were built before production came to an end . 993 of these machines were intended for the USAF, with the remaini ng 394 being delivered new to foreign customers. 24

Some of Bitburg's F-4Es were decorated for the USAF's bi-centennial

e

(© via Glenn Sands)

USAF F-4Es were taken fro m store and loaned to foreign customers, and 19 1 were passed on to fo reign customers from USA F stocks. The last F-4E (a n F-4E intended fo r Korea) left the production line at McDo nnell on October 25, 1979 bringing domestic production of the Phantom to an end; however license prod uction continued for a while longe r in Japa n.

on

The Final Countdown The F-4E began be supplanted in USAF fro ntline units by the newe r F-1 5 Eagle starting in 1975 and by the F- 16 starting in 1979. For the USA F in Europe, the last F-4Es flew with the 68-387 of the California Air National Guard (© via Glenn Sands)

al

On the ramp at George AFB is 66-350 wearing wrap-around three-tone camouflage and low-vis black markings, being prepared for flight. Note the practice rocket launchers (© Author's Coffeetion)

Looking factory fresh is 67392 from the Air Force Reserve (© via Marie Smith)

The F-4E

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67-349, flagship of the 347th TFW based at Moody AFB (© via Marl< Smith)

A fine aerial study 01 the F-4E, in this case 69-213 from the 35th TFW at George AFB (© via Marl< Smith)

Looking very much worse for wear, 66-340 looks lor a new owner! (© via Gtenn Sands)

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Chapter3

52nd TFW at Spangdahlem in Germany which re-equipped with F-16s in 1988, and in the Pacific theatre the last two F4E squadrons converted to F-16C/Ds in 1989. The TAC kept its F-4Es a bit longer, not relinquishing its machines until the early 1990s. By the time of Desert Storm in January 1991, almost all of the F-4Es had been withdrawn from ac tive duty USAF units, having been passed along to foreign customers or placed in storage. Neve rtheless, a handful of Pave Tack capable F-4Es flew with the 7440th Composite Wing based at lncirlik AFB in Turkey, operating against targets in north-western Iraq. The F-4E served briefly with the Air National Guard and the last aircraft left Guard service in 1991, when the 113th TFS of the Missouri ANG converted to F-16C/D fighters.

Front Line F-4E Operators 1st Tactical Fighter Wing, MacDill AFB, Florida, 19701975. Moved to Langley AFB, VA in June 1975 and converted to F-15 Eagle. 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, 1974-1991. Upgraded to F-4E by late 1974. Moved to ClarkAB, Philippines Sept 16, 1974 to replace the 406th FW. Last F-4Es went to AMARC at the same time the unit was transferred to Elmendorf AFB in 1991. 4th Tactical Fighter Wi ng, Seymour Johnson AFB, 19701990. Re-equipped wi th F-15E Strike Eagle by 1990. 15th Tactical Fighter Wing, MacDiUAFB, Florida. Inactivated 1970, assets reassigned to 1st TFW. 21st Composite Wing, 21st Tactical Fighter Wing, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, 1970-1 982.

Je

31st Tactical Fighter Wing, Homestead AFB, Florida, 19701987. 32nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, 1969-1978. 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Eglin AFB, Florida, to1979. 35th Tactical Fighter Wing 36th Tactical Fighter Wing 37th Tactical Fighter Wing 49th Tactical Fighter Wing 50th Tactical Fighter Wi ng 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing, Osan AB, Korea. 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem AB, Germany. 54th Tactical Fighter Wing, Kunsan AB, Korea. Activated on June 15,1970 taking the place of the reassigned 354th TFW. Two F-4E units were attached: the 16th TFS, 33rd TFW, 478th TFS. Inactivated Oct 31,1970. 56th Tactical Fighter Wing, MacDill AFB, Florida. 57th Fighter Weapons Wing, Nell is AFB, Nevada. 57th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Keflavik AB, Iceland. 86th Tactical Fighter Wing, Ramstein AB, Germany. 347th Tactical Fighter Wing, Moody AFB, Georgia, 19751988. 68th TFS, 70th TFS, 339th TFS (May 1976-Sept 1983), 69th TFS (Sept 1983-1988).

354th Tactical Fighter Wi ng, Kunsan AB, Korea. Wi ng's assets transferred to the 54th TFW at Myrtle Beach AFB, SC on June 14, 1970. 366th Tactical Fighter Wing. 4th FTS and 421 st TFS arrived from CONUS in April 1969 with F-4Es to join the F-4Ds at Da Nang AB. Both left in May of 1972 to join the 432nd TRW at Takhli RTAFB. 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat RTAFB, Thailand. 405th Fighter Wing 432nd Tactical Fighter Wing 3274th Test Squadron

4485th Test Squadron 4425th Fighter Weapons Wing 4531th TFW

Second Line F-4E Units Two Air Force Reserve squadrons received F-4Es. These were the 457th TFS of the 20lth TFW, which received F-4Es in 1987, and the 704th TFS of the 924th TFG, receiving F-4Es in 1989. Both of these squadrons traded-in their F-4Es for F16A/B fighters in 1991. F-4Es began to reach the Air National Guard in 1985, the aircraft having been fo rmer USAF planes which had been removed from active service. The following ANG squadrons were equipped with F-4Es. 110th TFS, 131st TFW, Missouri ANG 113th TFS, 181st TFG, Indiana ANG 141st TFS, 108th TFW, New Jersey ANG 163rd TFS, 122nd TFW, Indiana ANG 196th TFS, 163rd TFG, California ANG

69-256 from Bitburg

A variation on the Hill Grey scheme was the 'Cloud' paint job applied to the Texas ANG for a Gunsmoke Exercise (© Author's Collection)

The 5000th Phantom built (© McDonnell Douglas)

The 50 57th and last SI. louis built Phantom (© McDonnell Douglas)

TheF-4E

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Hard worked, and bleached by the sun, this short-nosed F-4E from the 34th TFS at Korat AFB awaits its crew (<0 via Glenn Sands)

The F-4E in the Vietnam War s noted elsewhere, details of the F-4E's work in the Vietnam War is beyond the remit of this Datatfile, however it is recognised the major contribution the Phantom made in South East Asia. The first F-4Es reached Southeast Asia in November of 1968, eq uipping the 469th TFS at Korat in Thailand. The 4th FTS and 42 1st TFS arrived in Apr il 1969 with F-4Es to join the F-4Ds of the 366th TFW at Da Nang AB. After this, the F-4Ds of the 366th TFW assumed forward air control duties, whereas the F-4Es concentrated on aircraft escort duties and conducted ground attack missions. Six more F-4E squadrons deployed to Vietnam and Thailand

A

_ ......... Dropping a full load of destruction (© via Glenn Sands)

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Chapter3

in 1972 in response to the North Vietnamese invasion of the South in the spring of 1972. The F-4E was credited with 21 MiG kills during the wa r. 10 of these were brought down by Sparrows, five with gu nfire, four with Sidewinders, one with a combinat ion of Sidewinder and gunfire, and one while manoeuvring. However, most combat missions flown in

Vietnam by the F-4E were ground-attack missions. The diversity of missions undertaken by the Phantom was a testament to its flexibility, and this work would not be complete without a gallery of F-4Es during the conflict.

In the company of a 'Wild Weasel' F-105, this 34 TFS Phantom also carries ALa-71 jammer pods (© via Glenn Sands)

A fully laden 469 TFS bird en-route to target in South Vietnam carrying a variety of ordnance (© USAF)

Carrying a brace of AGM-12 'Bullpup' missiles and 500lb bombs this short·nosed F-4E is from the 469th TFS (© via Glenn Sands)

Devoid of any tanks or ordnance this short·nosed F-4E sits in its revetment at Karat RTAB

Looking mean is 71-283, a MiG Killer in its own right (© via Glenn Sands)

na Glenn Sands)

Loaded with 'iron' 67-219 sits on the 'alert·ramp' at Karat RTAB, and is one of the 35 aircraft with a tan radome

(© viaGlennSands)

70-208 'The Come The Judge' (© J.W Boyce)

The F-4E

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70-279 'Wreckin Crew ' complete with Sharkmouth sits with empty Multiple Ejector Racks on its wings at Korat in 1970 (© JW

Boyce)

366th TFW 'Gunfighters', this emblem is on both sides. Black 'Phantom' and lettering, medium blue background, yellow shells, red and white flame, gun pod, sneakers and outline all in white (© A Piccirillo)

An F-4D of the 435 TFS 8th TFW at Ubon's 'Eagle Squadron '. This is the CO's aircrafl, and note the 'Wollpack Lead' legend on the cockpit air intake (© A Piccirillo)

Refuelling prior to target run. The F-4E in the foreground has fuse extenders on its bombs, making them the consummate 'daisy cutters' (© via Glenn sands)

A cheery smile for the camera as this 'short-nosed' F-4E taxies out

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Chapter3

(© J.W Boyce)

Battle damage sustained by an F-4E (© J.W Boyce)

70-279 'Wreckin Crew ' (© J.W Boyce)

A well worn F-4E is towed out to be prepared for another mission (© J.w Boyce)

A 469 TFS aircraft 'Uttle Chris' at Korat RTAB

An F-4E 67-230 en route to target with fuse extenders on its bomb load (© J.w Boyce)

(© via Glenn Sands)

The F-4E

~

A line study 01 a 57 FIS F-4E

(© Glenn Sands)

Keflavik F-4E's he 57 Fighter Interceptor Squadron based at Keflav ik in Iceland was amongst the more unusual F-4E units in that its aircraft were employed on Air Defence duties and were the only Air Force 'E's to be painted in overall Air Defence Grey (FS 16473). The aircraft were from Block 33 with leading-edge manoeuvring slats and were employed on long-range patrols across the extreme North Atlantic. often intercepting Soviet Tu-95 Bears.

T Fully marked. but still in camouflage colours. 66-328 burns some rubber (© Glenn Sands)

q U. S. AlUQRCE

66-336 taken at Eglin AFB in 1982 (© Glenn Sands)

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Chapter3

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With its unique knight's helmet emblem on the tail, 66-300 awaits another crew (@GlennSands)

The splitter plate was an ideal canvas for the U.S. colours

(C1 Michael Baldock)

4{-./•••••-.. ..........

'\ \

66-336 touches down at Keflavik (© Autho(s COllection)

The F-4E

l

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Based at Clark AFB in the Philippines and wearing the 'European l ' colour scheme, 68-483 belonged to the 3rd TFW (~ via Marl< Smith)

Sharksmouth he elongated shape of the F-4E's nose with its shallow radome and undernose gun made it an idea l canvas for the venerated Sharksmouth! Ma ny such examples were painted on the F-4E during its service life and here are just a few examples.

T

A Spangdahlem Phantom unleashes a fearsome warload

(© USAF)

Another Clark AFB 'Spook', this time in wrap-around SEA garb, but fhe Sharksmouth is still splendid!

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Chapter3

(© via Marl< Smith)

Another Ramstein Phantom with a more restrained nose! Note the yellow A on the tail, worn as an exercise marking, and also note the 'Fast Track' pod in the forward Sparrow well ("' via Mark Smith)

Osan based 69-303 in 'Lizard' (© Wa Mark Smith)

The pride of St.louis, with the McDonnell Douglas plant in the background, this double MiG-Killer from the 131 stTFW looks quite splendid it its Hill Grey scheme

(© Author's Collection)

The F-4E

~

Not so much a Sharksmouth, more a Flame·Mouth, the 335th TFS' Commander's aircraft is nonetheless spectacular!

(© via Mark Smfth)

68·337 from the 'Silver lobos' and a Five·Star MiG·Killer to boot, proudly wears the 'Shark' (© via Mark Smith)

Perhaps the most fearsome of the Sharksmouths were the ones applied to the Ramstein 'Spooks' in the early 1980's (© via Glenn Sands)

~

Chapter3

F-4E in Detail

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·11

The F-4E carried a nose-mounted General Electric M61A1 20mm Gatling cannon. Etectrically driven, this six-barrel gun was capable of firing 6,000 rounds per minute and came with a 640 round drum (© Author's Collection)

68-533 from the 'New Jersey Tigers' with the long cannon muzzle

(© Aulhor'S Colleclion)

The F-4E's GE M61A1 assembly (© Wa Mark Smith)

Two types of muzzle fairings were used on the F-4E, short and long types. The long fairing covered the MIDAS 4 gun gas diffuser which eliminated gas ingestion into the engines (© McDonnell Doug/as)

66-319 with the short gun muzzle

(© Author's Colleclion)

TheF-4E

~

F-4E in Detail Airplane Loading

A MER (Multiple Ejector Rack) on the inner wing pylon. Note also the chaff and flare dispenser scabbed to the outer face of the pylon (© Aullior·s Colleclion) Aircraft Loadout Chart

(© McDonnell Douglas)

64-468 showing the copious amount of stencil data applied to the F-4 after the Vietnam War (© via Mark Smilli)

A brace of AGM-65 Mavericks on the inner wing pylon

~

Chapter 3

(©Author's Colleetion)

A Westinghouse AN/ASQ-153 Pave Spike Pod in the forward Sparrow missile bay (© AUlhor·s Colleelion)

The slatted wing with its manoeuvring flaps

(© Aullior's Colleelion)

F-4E in Detail

Pylon fitment chart (© McDof1lJell Doug/as) Open port engine bay access panel

Open starboard engine bay access panel

(© Author's Collection)

(© Author's Collection)

The power behind the Phantom. The General Electric J79 engine

rn DII'IIISS lunON

(© McDonnell Doug/as)

PUSH o,eN !!IUnON TO .... ISE CANOPY .

IN SUP TO Rnun LADon

Canopy opening buttons and internal step

(© McDonnell Doug/as)

Detail of the afterburner cans

(© Author's Collection)

The F-4E

~

F-4E in Detail

A view of the open engine access bay from below

A J79 on its dolly waiting for upload to a Phantom

(© Author's Collection)

(© Author's Collection)

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68·534 carries a single AGM·45 Maverick missile

~

Chapter3

(© USAF)

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F-4E in Detail

looking upwards into the main wheel well

(~Author's Collection)

A Bitburg based F-4E carrying the largely unsuccessful Hughes Falcon missiles (© via Mark Smith)

Parachute housing at the rear of the F-4E

(© Author's Collection)

One of the many duties of the F-4 was target towing. and here Ramstein based 68386 carries a target Dart and winch cable

(© Glenn Sands)

The F-4E

~

The TISEO oplics were lifted 10 the inner left wing (© Author's Collection)

The TISEO system

(© Northrop)

Northrop TISEO

y

o better aid visual identification of targets Block 48 Phantoms were fitted with a Northrop-designed AN/ASX1 electro-optical 'TISEO' (Target Identification System Electro-Optical) target acquisition and tracking sensor, which was mounted on the inner left wing leading edge The ANI ASX-l provided sharp close-up images of hostile aircraft outside of visual range. Typical identification ranges quoted were: a DC-IO at 8S miles, an F- lll at 40 miles, a C-130 at 3S miles and an F-S at 10 miles.

~

Chapter3

30

30

SPOrl l NG FiEl D O F V l fW Wlnl TISEO IN TRACK MODE 1. 2. 3, 4.

T A R G ET PFQV M A RKERS TISE O C ROSSH A IR -C R OSS H A IR INDICATES LINE O F S IGHT T O TA RGET B E ING TRAC KED. TRAC K WINDOW _ WIN DOW EXPANDS PROPORTIONALLY IN SIZE TO HO V TR ACKE R V IDEO - INDICATES TISEO OPTICAL L OC K .Q N .

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TISEO AND RADAR IN

T AR GET PFOV M A RKER S RADAR CR OSSH AIR - CROSS HAIR DISPLAYS RADAR ANTEN NA LIN E OF SIGHT T O TARGET. CROSSHA1A IS DISPLAY EO ONl Y AFTER RADAR TRACK AND THE ANTENNA LINE OF SIGHT TO TARGET IS WITHIN THE TISEO FIELD OF VIEW . WITH TISEO AND RADAR TRACKING SAME TARGET , C ROSSHAIRS ARE SUPERIMPOSED . TISEO CROSSHAIR RANGE SYMBOL - S YMBOL DISPLAYS RA DAR RANGE TO TARGET AN D IS OISPLAYED ONLY AFTER RADAR LOCK -ON IN AIR TO AIR MODE . TRACK WINDO W

PREC ISION FIELD O F V IEW WITH TISEO IN TRACK MODE TARGET TRACK WINDOW - WINDOW EXPANDS PROPORTIONALLY IN SIZE TO TRACKING VIDEO. TISEO CROSSHAIA - CROSSHAIR INDICATES LINE O F SIGHT TO TARGET BEING TRACKED.

Wearing the 'European l ' camouflage scheme and carrying an ALQ-131 jammer pod, Spangdahlem based 74-630 displays its TISEO pod as part of the AN/ARN-1 01 (V) upgrade (© via Glenn Sands)

PRECISION FIELD Of VIEW WITH TISEO AND RADAR IN TRACK MOOE 1. 2. J.

TARGET TISEO TRACK WINDOW RADAR CROSS HAIR

TISEO C ROSS H A IR RANGE SYM BOL

30

TISEO in detail (© via Glenn Sands)

The TISEO cockpit modes

30

(© McDDnnell DDuglas)

TheF-4E

~

-------Spangdahlem based F-4E 74-052 showing its AN/ARN-1 01 (V) conliguration

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(© Aultro,-, colleclion)

AN/ARN-1 01 (V) Modification he Lear Siegler AN/ARN-IOI(V) (or 'Arnie' in Air Force parlance) upgrade was applied to some 180 TISEO-equipped block 48 F-4E's. This retro-fit changed their avionics from analogue to digital making these 'E's entirely different aircraft in terms of capability. Externally most noticeable was the addition of a 'doghouse' fairing on the spine and new antennae on the rear spine and behind the cockpit, along with static dissipators which were fitted to the wing tips, fuel dump pipe, and the top and rear face of the tailfin. In

T Inside the back seat showing the additional control panel behind the radar stick (© Author's collection)

~

Chapter 3

The 'doghouse' fairing on the spine

(© Author's collection)

Static Disipators on Tail

practice, however, only those dissipators on the tail were carried. There were no major changes in the front cockpit, however in the WSO's station a digital display was added beneath the RHAW scope and a new keypad fitted behind the radar control handle. Additionally the ASN-63 inertial navigation system, the ASQ-91 weapons release computer, and the ASN-46A analogue navigation computer set were deleted whilst the ASG-26 lead computing optical gun sight was improved.

The positioning of the AN/ARN-1 01 (V)'s main components is seen here on the AirDoc resin conversion set instructions

AN/ANR- lOl Fairing

A new digital display was added beneath the RHAW (© Author's collection)

Thef-4E

~

F-4E Cockpit For such a large aircraft the F-4E's front and rear cockpits were tightly packed and as the aircraft matured and different sensors and armament were fitted, so changes in both cockpits were necessary to control any used and new equipment.

Front cockpit (© Author's collection)

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~

Chapter3

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(© McDonnell Doug/as)

(© McDonnell Doug/as)

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~

Chapter3

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TheF·4E

~

The F-4G A classic shot of an F-4G carrying HARM missiles (© via Tony Thomborough)

A European 1 camouflaged F-4G 69-286 from Spangdahlem in Germany (© via Glenn Sands)

~

Chapter4

F

-4C airframes were converted to the EF-4C/D Wild Weasel IV configuration, but th ey suffered from a number of deficiencies which limited their combat effectiveness, as, for example, they were unable to carry the Standard ARM, and consequently the EF-4C/D was seen only as an interim Wild Weasel aircraft, pending the introduction of a more suitable type. The F-4G designation applied to 116 F-4Es which we re converted to the Wild Weasel role and these aircraft should not be confused with the US Navy's F-4G which was the designation applied to twelve F-4Bs fitted with automatic carrier landing systems. A YF-4E (65-0713 ) was fitted with a mock-up installation of the ANI APR-38 HAWC (Homing Radar And Warning Computer) attack wa rning system, the RHAWS, and the results were sufficiently satisfactory that the decision was made to convert 116 low-time F-4E airframes for the antiSAM role and the code name 'Wild Weasel V' was assigned to the project. F-4E 69-7254 served as the YF-4G prototype, although it was originally known as the F-4E Advanced Wild Weasel, and this aircraft was fitted with leading-edge manoeuvring slats. The most notable external modification was the removal of the M61Al cannon and its am munition drum and its replacement by a glass fibre under-nose fa iring that housed forward and side-looking radar antenna and li ne replacement units for the AN/APR-38 radar warning and attack system. Initially developed by IBM Federal Systems under the TAC Pave Strike program, the APR-38 was structured aro und a Texas Instruments general purpose computer, a Loral control indicator set and several IBM receive rs. This system could be reprogrammed at squadron level, and was able to identify known enemy airdefence radar systems and display their locations in a predetermined order of priority. The under-nose fairing also had a ram inlet that admitted cooling air to the interior, which helped to cool the av ionics systems inside the nose. The centreline station was modified to carr y an

F-15 style 600lb fuel tank freeing up the wing stations for weaponry and smokeless j79-GE-17E engines. There were a total of 52 receiving and emitting antenna to be found all over the aircraft, the main ones being located in the nose fair ing with others being housed in a pod mounted on top of the fin. Eight of the blade antennas that protruded from the fuselage provided low-band omnidirectional signal reception, with five others being directional and capable of giving the threat bearing on the display in the rear cockpit. The main radar of the F-4G was the same Westinghouse ANI APQ- 120 that was fitted to the F-4E but with a new digital processor, and as with the F-4E aft-firing Tracor ALE-40 chaff and flare launchers were

fitted to the side of the wing pylons The specialised role of the F-4G becomes more apparent in the cockpit. The front station retained most of the F-4E's instrumentation but a warning and control panel was added together with a plan position indicator (PPJ) scope which repeated range and azimuth data from the EWO's display. The lead computing gunsight was modified to accept inputs from the RHAW and a red reticle indicated the location of the designated emitter wh ile a green cross was relative to the aircraft's ground track. In the backseat the 'Electronic Warfare Officer' (EWO) or 'Bear' (in his bear-pit) as he was in Wild Weasel parlance, had three main displays: a planposition indicator, a panoramic analysis display, and a homing indicator, with the plan-position indicator as already noted being duplicated on the pilot's control panel. The APQ-120 radar scope was retained but the instrument panel was enlarged, almost up to the canopy frame, with all flight instruments laid out horizontally across the top. These included the attitude, airspeed, altimeter and some navigation displays. The three APR- 38 displays were arranged beneath these. The large rectangular PPI scope display was to the left, the smaller panoramic/analysis scope in the centre and the small homing and attack display at the upper right. The PPI scope displayed up to 15 of the highest priority threats. Symbols were used; 'A' for AAA sites, 3 for SA-3 and emitter band designation and T for unknown threats. Threats were designated by the EWO with a diamond-shaped cursor over the threat symbol. Threat ra nge, bearing and aircraft magnetic heading were then displayed, and if a weapon was selected a footprint display co uld then be called up.

In support of its mission, the F-4G could carry the AGM45 Shrike and the AGM-78 Standard an ti-radiation missiles in its 'hunter' role, as well as bombs, Rockeye Cluster Munitions, GBU-15 glide bombs and AGM-65 TV or infrared Maverick air-to-surface missiles in its hunter-killer role. The Texas Instruments AGM-45 Shrike was the first missile specifically designed for the anti-radiation role and was based in part on the Sparrow air-to-air missile and had more or less the same basic configuration. The Shrike had a launch weight of about 390 pounds and carried a 145 pound explosive warhead and a range of around 18 to 25 miles with guidance being provided by a monopulse crystal video receiver. When the receiver in the missile's nose locked onto a target, the crew fired the mi ssile. After launch, the missile flew a ballistic path until the control system was activated. At that time, the receiver onboard the Shrike began updating the guidance by determining the direction of the

The last user 01 the F-4G was the Idaho Air National Guard (ro Author's Collection)

TheF-4G

~

An F-4G takes on gas (© Author's CoJ/ecUon)

68-304 from the 35th TFW bristling with stencils! (© via Glenn 5ands)

~

Chapter4

hostile radiation, and the missile then homed onto the enemy radar signal. In Vietnam, the initial experi ence with the Shrike was rather disappointing. After some trial and error, the enemy found they co uld 'spoof' the Shrike by simply turning their rada rs which wou ld cause the Shrike to lose its lock and fall out of control. In addition, the receive r of the Shrike was not able to deal with enemy radars that were frequency-agi le; so all th at the enemy had to do to defeat a Shrike attack was to switch his rada r to a different frequency. The Ge neral Dynamics AGM -78 Standard AntiRadiation Missile was an attempt to correct some of the deficiencies of the Shrike. It had a longer range and a large r warhead and was based on the Standard RIM-66A ship-toair missile. This missile had a launch weight of about 1,400 pounds and carried a 2lS-pound wa rhead to a maximum range was abo ut 3S miles. The missile fl ew on a dual-thrust rocket motor and steered with tail controls and very lowaspect ratio fi xed wings. The Standard ARM first ap peared in service in 1968 . The first version of the Standard had the simple Shri ke seeker, but later versions had the Maxson

broadb and radiation seeker wi th memory circuits to deal with radar shutdown tactics. In later yea rs, the Texas Instruments AGM-88 HARM High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile was introduced , offering a greatly enhanced kill capability and greater laun ch ve rsatility. It was designed to provide much higher speeds and much quicker target acquisition times so that enemy radars co uld be destroyed before they had a chance to be switched off or take other sorts of evasive ac tions. HA RM had a launch weight of some 800 pounds with an effective range of 17 miles and carried a fragmentation warhead which destroyed the target by producing a deadly shower of steel cubes. There were three bas ic modes of operation for the HARM: Self Protect, Target of Opportunity, and PreBriefed. In the Self- Protect mode, the launching aircraft's systems detect the threat and assign its priority. The aircra ft's on-board computers then pass along the data to the HARM's computer and the missile is then launched. The HARM can continue to fly toward the target even if the enemy radar is switched off. In the Target of Opportunity

mode, the HARM's sensitive seeker is used to help to determine when to launch against a previously unknown threat. In the Pre-Briefed mode, the HARM can be programmed on the groun d for up to three known types of enemy radar emissions. Once in the air, the launching aircraft can fire the HARM blind in the general direct ion of these known enemy radar emitters. If they are silent, the HARM wi ll self-destruct, but if an enemy site begins to rad iate, the HARM wi ll au tomatically home in on it. For self-protection, the F-4G could carry up to four AIM9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles on the sides of the inboard underwing pylons. In addition, four AIM-7 Sparrows co uld be carried in the underfuselage slots, however, the left front slot was often taken up by the installation of a ALQ-119- I 2, 14 or an ALQ- 141 jammer pod although the jammers were often turned off so as not to interfere with the RHAW. All of the F-4Gs were rebuilds of Block 42 to 45 F-4Es. The first of these aircraft (69-7254) was modified by McDonnell and began flight trials in December of 1975. Subsequent F-4G aircraft were modified by the Air Force at Hill AFB in Utah with the last modification completed in 198 I. In the April of 1978 the first F-4Gs were issued to the 39th TFTS of the 35th TFW, based at George AFB in California . In 1989, the 37th TFW was transferred to Tonopah, Nevada to take over the operation of the F- 11 7, and turned their F-4Gs back over to the 35th TFW. 1979 saw the fi rst F-4Gs issued to the 52nd TFW based at Spangdahlem AFB in Germany and in the same year, F-4Gs were assigned to the 90th TFS of the 3rd TFW based at Clark AFB in the Philippines. A two-part Performance

Update Program (PUP) was undertaken in th e mid-1980s with the first phase designed to expand the capability of the on -board computer by adding a new Unisys CP-1674 dig ita l processor and the second upgraded of the APR-38 to APR47 standards. The F-4G was the last version of the Phantom to remain in front-line service with the USAF and follow ing the Gulf War and the general defence drawdown after the collapse of the Warsaw Pact, many USAF F-4Gs were turned over to the Air National Guard. On April 12, 1991, the Department of Defence anno unced that the F-4Gs wou ld all be reassigned to ANG un its. Under th is plan, the 90th FS at Clark AB in the Philippines was scheduled to convert from F-4E/Gs to F-15Es and move to Alaska. The 35th FW at George AFB in California was to be inactivated, and the 52nd FW at Spangdahlem AB in Germany was to lose all of its F-4Gs and these were to be transferred to the Idaho and Kentucky

One of the Operation 'Provide Comfort' F-4G's exits its barn atlncerlik in Turkey (<1:J via Gary Madgewick)

A 561 st TFW bird with ornate travel pod (<1:J Author's Collection)

~-

SP',

52 TFW .

__-=:;:;;::c-::-.:--::~-- -

Showing off its Desert Storm kill markings is the Commander's aircraft from Spangdahlem (© Gtenn Sands)

TheF-4G

~

A superb shot of a fully laden F-4G with copious amounts of stencilling! (© via Glenn Sands)

Showing the tail code of the 35th TFW, this Hill Grey II Weasel looks almost pristine. Subdued scheme 'Weasels' appearing in 1987 (© Author's Collection)

An F-4G from the Operational Test unit (© Author's Collection)

~

Chapter4

ANG. The 190th TRS of the Idaho ANG began its conversion from the RF-4C to the F-4G in June of 1991 and another ANG RF-4C unit, the 192nd TRS from where had been scheduled to convert to the F-4G (and had even painted F-4G 69-7580 in its distinctive High Rollers insignia), but the Defence Department changed its mind in 1991, and the Idaho ANG was to be the only ANG unit to operate the F-4G. However the combat experience of Desert Storm indicated that the phase-out of the F-4G was premature, and a new front line squadron, the 561st FS of the 57th FW, was activated at Nellis AFB with the parent unit of the 561 st being redesignated 57th Wing in April 1993. Also in 1993 the Spangdahlem based Weasels deployed to Incirlik in Turkey in support of Operation Provide Comfort, the enforcement of the no- fly zone over northern Iraq, returning to Germany at the end of 1993. However, the need to provide Wild Weasels to support Operation Southern

Watch in Saudi Arabia and Operation Provide Comfort in Turkey res ulted in the 52nd FW retaining a few F-4Gs until February 1994. The 81st TFS returned their last F-4Gs to th e USA on March 18,1994 and these were to be the last USoperated Phantoms to be based in Europe. In April 1993, the 124th FW of the Idaho ANG took over this responsibi lity and was ass igned to active duty in Saudi Arabia to support Operation Southern Watch, and one of these ANG F-4Gs fired an AGM-88 HARM missile in response to a threaten ing Iraqi radar site near Basra. The Idaho ANG F-4Gs were later transferred to Incirlik AB in Turkey to support Operation Provide Comfort II, and overall there were a total of four deployments to the Gulf, the last aircraft returning to the USA in December 1995. The F-1 6 replaced the F-4G in its Wild Weasel role and the last active USAF F-4G unit, the 561st Fighter Squadron, was inactivated at Nellis AFB in March of 1996 and its aircraft placed in storage. This was fo llowed on April 20, 1996, with the last F-4Gs being withdrawn by the 124th FW of the Idaho ANG, and these were consigned to the boneyard at Davis Monthan AFB marking the fina l departure of the Phantom from active service with any American unit. During 199 J, it was decided that those F-4Gs not transferred to the ANG or placed in storage would be converted into drones under the designation QF-4G. Tracor Flight Systems of Austin, Texas was to do the conversion work, and following the retirement of the type other airframes were slated for conversion by BAe Systems for drone work (see separate chapter for the QF-4 drone details) .

The Commander's bird from the 35th TFW with Shrike and HARM. Fairly bristling with spine antennae, note the SST181 X Combat Skyspot aerial on the right of the three on the spine, with the APR-3A omni in the center (© via Glenn Sands)

The F-4G Squadrons USAF: 3rd TFW, 90th TFS 35th TFW 37th TFW (56 lth TFS, 563rd TFS, 562nd TFTS) 52nd TFW, 81st TFS 57th FW, 56lth FS 4485th Test Squadron 7440th Composite Wing Air National Guard: 189th TRTF, 124th TRG, Idaho ANG • 190th FS, 124th FG, Idaho ANG

Aircraft Serials Initial batch of 11 5 F-4Gs modified at the Ogden Air Logistics Centre and initially fitted with the AN/APR-38 69-0236/0243,69-0245/0248, 69-0250/0255, 690257/0259,69-0261,69-0263, 69-0265,69-0267,690269/0275,69-0277,69-0279/028 1,69-0283/0286, 69-0292/0293,69-0297,69-0304,69-0306,69-720 1/7202, 69-7204/7220,69-7223,69-7228,69-7231/7236,69-725 1, 69-7253/7254,69-7256/7260,69-7262/7263, 69-7270,697272,69-7286/729 1, 69-7293,69-7295,69- 7298,69-

7300/7303,79-7546,69-7550,69-7556,69-7558,697560/7561,69-7566,69-7571 /7572, 69-7574,69757917584, and 69-7586/7588. Second batch of 18 F-4Gs modified at the Ogden Air Logistics Centre and fitted from the outset with the AN/APR-47: 69-0244,69-0249, 69-0260,69-0264,69-0278,69-0290,690298,69-0303,69-0305,69-0307,69-7252,69-7261,697267, 69-7268, 69-7274,69-7297, 69-755 1, and 69-7557.

F-4Gs on the flight line at Sheikh Isa AFB during the first Gulf War (© via Tony Thomborough)

69-247 shows 0" its low-vis European 1 colour scheme (© via Glenn Sands)

TheF-4G

~

Gulf War I F-4Gs

F

ollowing the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990, the 561st TFS (part of the 35th TFW based at George AFB) deployed to the Middle East as a part of Operation Desert Shield. Twenty-four F-4Gs were deployed and they were configured with three external fuel tanks (one on the centreline and two underneath the outboard underwing pylons), four chaff/flare dispensers, two AGM-88 HARM missiles on the inboard pylons, three AIM-7M Sparrow missiles and an ALQ184 electronic countermeasures pod in The forward Sparrow missile slot. When the Desert Storm shooting war began 35th TFW's F-4G's were still the only defence suppression aircraft available to the USAF and they played a vital role by cutting a path through Iraqi air defences during the initial attack on January 17. The F-4Gs of the 81st TFS 52nd TFW based at Spangdahlem in Germany were also added to the assets of the 35th TFW based at Sheik Isa AFB in Bahrain and to the 7440th Composite Wing based at Incirlik AFB in Turkey. During the war, only one F-4G was lost,69-7571, which crashed on January 18, 1991, not a combat loss but a shortage of fuel whilst attempting a landing at AI Kharj, with the crew ejecting.

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Chapter4

A pair of Spangdahlem based F-4Gs in their 'Vietnam style' revetment at Sheikh Isa AFB in Bahrain (el All/hor's Collection)

TheF-4G

~

F-4G in Detail · 1 A Spangdahlem F-4G carrying the AN/ALQ-131 (V) ECM pod (© Author's Collection) · 2 & 3 Wing pylon mounted chaff and flare dispenser (10 Author's Cottection)

· 4 Wing pylon and adaptor rail (10 Author's Cottection) · 5 Standard ARM Anti-Radar Missile

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Chapter 4

F-4G in Detail

- 6, 7 & 8 AGM·88 HARM Anti·Radar Missile

:

(© Author's Collection)

- 9 AN/ALa·119 ECM pod

. ....

~: :

, I

•

'

•

,.. ••

., :

- 10 & 11 Left and right side antennae (© Author's Cottection)

...

(~ 'r---

- 12 & 13 The APR·38A undernose 'chin pod' with its five spiral helix antennae in the square panel (© Author's Collection)

_ :'

The F·4G

~

F-4G in Detail

· 14 Lower VHF antennae (© Author's Collection)

· 15 Engine intake probe (© Author's Collection)

· 16 Left wing fuel dump pipe (© Author's Collection)

· 17 Tail mounted antennae (© Author's Collection)

· 18 TAT Probe (© Author's Collection)

· 20 Front cockpit (© Author's Collection)

diagrams opposite · 21 Front cockpit (© Author's Collection)

· 22 Rear cockpit (© Author's Collection)

1102

Chapter 4

F-4G in Detail

@

i . . .· /

(

/1 .I i

I

.

The F·4G

103 1

Thunderbirds Chapter

he us Air Forces premier display team the 'Thu nderbirds' was also a user of the F-4E as its display platfo rm. The team adopted the brutish jet in 1969 and flew the aircraft until 1973 when the oil crisis forced a move to the more economical T-38 Talon, indeed five T-38s used the same amo unt of fuel needed for just one Phantom! The machines the team received were modified early production F-4Es, which were amongst the few not to be retrofitted with manoeuvri ng slats. The planes were stripped of their guns and APQ-120 radar, ad these were replaced by storage bins and ballast. The gun vents were faired over and a strip navigation antenna was prov ided, along with glidescope and VHF radios. Four dummy Sparrow missile shapes were installed in the underfuselage slots, these serving as oil and dye ta nks. The paints that had worked on the Thunderbird's earlier F-lOOs made the F-4 look patchy because of multicoloured alloys used in the Phantom to resist heat and fri ction at Mach 2 speeds. As a result, a special white

5

T

'Thunderbird l ' (© USAF)

Close formation

(© USAF)

polyurethane based paint was developed to cover the problem and this paint base remains a part of today's Thunderbird aircraft. The team's conversion to the F-4s was the most extensive in their history and compared with its predecessors, the F-4 was immense. It was big and powerful and with the earth-shaking roar of eight )-79 engines from the'diamond four' no other demonstration aircraft accomplished the mission of representing American airpower more impressively than the Phantom.

The team taxis in alter another display (© USAF)

1104

Chapter 5

The precision ground display was an integral part of the Thunderbird ethos (© USAF)

The gun was fa ired over for display work (© USAF)

U.S.AIR FORCE aa;

In transit to another venue

(© USAF)

Tucking up their wheels the aircraft go through a formation take-oft (©USAF)

Streaming its braking chute Thunderbird 3 completes its display (© USAF)

Thunderbirds

105

I

QF-4E/G Target Drones QF-4G69-566 at Mojave in

2001

(© via Maik Smith)

A good view of the underside of a QF-4G with high quantity external flare pods (© 82nd ATS)

Enough to give any heat-seeking missile a few doubts! (© 82nd ATS)

he need to test the lethality and accuracy of weapons and weapons systems has led to a number of ai rcraft types bei ng converted to 'target drones' throughout the years. With plenty of F-4s available after the type's retirement it was a sensible option to convert a large number of these to QF-4 status. Some Navy F-4Bs were converted to QF-4B target drones and DF-4B drone cont rollers, and as later Phantom vari ants were removed fro m fi rst-line service, ma ny of their number were subsequently converted to target drones as well, being collectively referred to simply as QF-4s. The process begins with an F-4 being chosen from the Ae rospace Maintenance and Regeneration Centre, better known as the boneyard at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. The aircraft is then repa ired and bro ught back to fl ying status and flown to the appointed contractor's facility for rewo rk to drone status. Here the aircraft is stripped of any non-essential equipment and fi tted with electronic components that enable the aircraft to fly with or without a pilot in the cockpit. Most noticeable on the late r QF-4E and G ve rsions is the pronounced 'hump' on the spine conta ining some of this electronic gear. Added to this are ae rial plates at the wing roots, and some airc raft have white pole antennaes on the wing edges and at the rear of the RWR fi n cap. Each drone conversion process takes around 160 days, after which a test fl ight is conducted and the airc raft despatched to Tyndall or Holloman AFB, New Mexico where the wide open desert spaces make ideal training fac ilities within which to operate with a degree of safety. Its interesti ng that some of the QF-4s retai n a piloted capability, and this is because certain test and training scenarios require a high degree of choreography to make them as realistic as possible, and so pilots have to fl y the QF4s through dry runs to ensure that all details are considered. The USAF refers to unpiloted flights using the acronym NULLO (Not Utili zing Local Live Operator), while the Navy

T

calls them NOLO (No Onboard Live Operator). Up to fo ur QF4s can be flown in forma tion during NU LLO fl ights, however the drones do not interact with each other, and they are simply commanded to follow a specific movi ng point in space known as a 'rabb it', with each aircraft maintaining a specific three-dimensional offset fro m the 'rabbit'. The autopilot system on the QF-4 is very sophisticated and, for example, the re mote operator can land the aircraft simply by giving it a single command to land. Once a QF-4 is used as an actual target in exercises, its predicted lifeti me is no more than four missions. The QF-4 also carries a self-destruct system in case missile damage fa ils to shoot it down but causes it to become a potential threat to pop ulated areas. While QF-4s conti nue to

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Chapter 6

The smart 'Team Target' logo (© 82nd ATS)

Looking across a the 'Team Target' tail and wing pods aboard the smart QF-4G 69 7260

Another Pharewell on 69 303 (© Jason French)

(© 82ndATS)

QF-4E/G Phantom Target Drones

1071

QF-4G 69-581 at Mojave in 2001

(© via Mark Smith)

A rather sad looking F-4E 68 354

(© Dave Cibtey)

Too close for comfort! A Sidewinder explosion ripped a good chunk out of this QF-4

A QF-4E 67 337. Note the dorsal hump

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Chapter 6

(© David Loft)

A NULLO Phantom over the Gulf of Mexico

(© USAF)

(© USAF)

A Phantom Pharewell aboard OF-4G 69-7295. Note the antennae plate at the wing root (© Mike Head)

be manufactured, they are now nearing the end of their useful lives even as targets, as they are increasingly unrepresentative of any adversary American pilots might face. A new generation of targets is now under consideration, possibly based on retired F-1 6A fighters. At the time of writing the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron at Tyndall operates approximately 40 full scale QF-4 aircraft which provide manned and unmanned aerial targets, and the Squadron also operates the USAF's only two E-9A ai rborne platform/telemetry relay aircraft that provide ocean surface surveillance and relay missile/target telemetry of missiles fired in over-the-horizon profiles on the Gulf Ranges. Detachment I, 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron, Holloman Air Force Base, NM, operates another 30 QF-4 fu ll-scale aerial targets for use at the White Sands Missile Range. Most of the QF-4's have a very poor paint finish, as they have a very short life expectancy! All have orange Day-Glo panels on their tail fins, tailplanes and both above and below the outer sections of their wings. They carry no national insignia save for an identification number on their tails and few if any stencil markings. A couple of the later QF-4Gs however have a marked difference in being smartly presented in a gloss 'Hill Gray' scheme with a 'TD' tailcode, '53 WEG' and smart 'Team Target' wording on their fin tips and DayGlo inner wing pylon tanks.

A NULLO Phantom comes in for a landing. Note the camera installation on the tailfin (© BAe Systems)

Civilian contractors do their best to effect repairs after a close call with a Sidewinder! (© USAF)

OF-4E 67-390 taken in 1997 (CC> via Mark Smith)

QF-4E/G Phantom Target Drones

1091

Test and Evaluation ChaPte,7

66-291 an NF-4E of the 6512 TS

(© v~ Marie Smfth)

A very fearsome F-4E! (© via Glenn Sands)

66-291 an NF-4E of the 6512 TS

~

Chapter7

(© via Marie Smith)

67-455 carrying the HAFB taitcode

(© Author's Coffection)

0"

The used YRF-4 had many guises, here seen in the Fly By Wire CCV configuration (© via Gtenn Sands)

63-424, an F-4C from Ogden AlC taxies out at Hill AFB,

80-304, an F-4E carrying the HAFB tailcode

(© via Glenn Sands)

(© Via Mark Smith)

Test and Evaluation

2!.!J

Modelling the Phantom Chapter S

Vietnam Phantom Phantom F-4D Tamiya 1/32 scale Gary Prettyman

T

hiSkit was originally released around 1995 and on opening the large box the first thing you notice is a full-length tube of bubble wrap containing a wholly moulded fuselage. This is not the usual Tamiya moulding as you don't have a left and right side; you have the upper fuselage as one complete item and a one- piece moulding for the bottom of the wing. The rest of the kit is pure Tamiya and includes: • Positionable speed brakes • Four Aim-9 Sidewinders • Four Aim-7E Sparrows • 6 Mk 82 500lb bombs, • 6 Mk82 500 lb bombs with extender fuses • Two 370 Gallon wing tanks.

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ChapterB

• Metal undercarriage with rubber tyres • Acomprehensive large decal sheet with the following options: - Aircraft number 67 - 661, from the 435th TFS, 8th TFW, coded FO. - Aircraft number 66-279, from the 497th, 8th TFW, coded FP. This aircraft has the added bonus of the Loran Antenna. - Aircraft number 40- 829, from 8th TFW and this particular one was flown by Colonel Robin Olds - Coded FG. The cockpit is an important and intricate part of the aircraft and Tamiya have changed the cockpit details from the early Navy release and have included full Air Force instrumentation. Although the deta il was good I wanted to improve its look so I used Ed uard brass set number 32-544 and when this was installed it certainly looked the part. The ejection seats are adequate, but again I used two resin seats from Legend as they gave a more detailed appearance when painted. The only additional items added to the seats were the pull handles. These were simply made from small gauge wire painted black and yellow and then twisted together. The cockpit was painted in Dark Gull Grey ES. 36231 and when dry was given a wash of

Modelling the Phantom

~

•

Raw Umber oil paint then brushed with a light shade of grey to highlight the detail. The dials and other small details were picked out with Red, White, Yellow, and Light Gull Grey. These parts were then installed in to the fuselage, whilst the canopies were dipped in 'Johnsons clear' then masked ready for spraying. The Eduard brass set also provides the framing around the canopies as well as the interior detail, and all these were painted Matt Black. Tamiya do make an excellent kit, but this one is not without its faults. I discovered that when Tamiya were doing measurements for this kit they used a Battle Damage Repair (BDR) aircraft from Kadena Airbase in Okinawa, Japan. This aircraft had repair patches on the upper fuselage and wings and consequently Tamiya have included this detail on their kit! As the patches are not part of any service aircraft they needed to be removed. The air intakes do not escape either and there is a lot of work to do in removing the seam on the deepest section of the trunking. The inside of the intakes did not want to fit at all, so in the end I had to admit defeat and fitted them as they came. If there is one accessory you really need to buy for this kit it would be the 'Seamless Intakes' which are available from Cutting Edge. Unfortunately they were not available when I was building this model!

~

Chapter S

The main afterburner has quite a few ejector pin marks and these were tackled with a little 'Tipp-Ex' and once dry they were sanded down and sprayed with Alclad Steel and set aside for later use. Moving on to the wings, I followed the instructions and glued the two top halves to the single one-piece bottom and then I 'screwed and glued' the whole thing to the fuselage. The undercarriage was next made up of plastic and metal parts which all went together without any problems. Constructing the rest of the kit was simple and straightforward and once complete I set alJ the parts, (including wing tanks, missiles and bombs) aside for painting later on. I used the missiles from the kit, although you can get some rather good ones from 'Flightpath' as these have highly detailed white metal bodies and brass fins. The nose was painted matt black and then when was given a coat of semi matt black and set aside. The bombs were assembled and painted thus: firstly paint the tips of the bombs

yellow, then when dry use an ordinary drinking straw and attach this to the tip of the bomb covering tlle yellow. Then all you have to do is simply spray on the Olive Drab! Once all the kit parts were assembled, I gave the aircraft and associated parts a coat of'Halford's' white primer, and once dry any inlperfections were remedied using minute amounts of filler and a little light sanding. Then the panel lines were sprayed with thinned Tamiya matt black which dries very quickly. The paints used for the rest of the model were enamels from 'White Ensign'. I sprayed the bottom half of the aircraft and the bottom half of

the wing tanks with ES. 36622 Grey in thin layers, progressively building up the colour until I was happy with the result. Spraying in this manner also helps to accentuate the black lines and create a shadowed effect. This was then left overnight, and followed by the fi rst of the Vietnam camouflage colours, FS34 102 Olive Drab Green which was once again given an overnight stay. The next colour was the FS30219 Tan followed by FS 34079 Dark Green. All of the painting was done freehand, using my trusty 'Iwata' airbrush. Attention now turned to the rear of the aircraft and to all the parts that needed to look metal. There was a small amount of masking to do on the rear heat plates and around the exhaust area which took around 20 minutes, and then the parts were sprayed with Alclad Aluminium. I then sprayed a thin layer of A1clad Steel over the top to make it look burnt from the heat of the exhaust. After a further twenty-four hours drying time two coats of Johnson's clear were applied in preparation for the decals.

Micro Set and Micro Sol was used to apply the decals and the aircraft was then weathered with a wash of Raw Umber oil paint with any excess being wiped with a small piece of cotton cloth and white spirit. Remember to wipe in the direction of the airflow to ensure an authentic look. Once dry the model was sprayed with a coat of matt varnish to complete the build. Despite some of the little problems that I encountered during the making of this model, this is still an outstanding kit. Tamiya once aga in must be applauded a truly wonderful kit of an astounding aircraft.

Modelling the Phantom

~

'Wild Weasel' Phantom F-4G Hasegawa 1/48 scale Angelo Picardo

his model of The F-4G is part of Hasegawa's later version Phantom moulds with recessed panel lines as opposed to the raised ones, though some minor parts with raised details are included in the box. This particular model is a rerelease and features two marking schemes on the decal sheet different to those depicted in the instructions, and are noted on a supplementary sheet. Construction begins with the cockpit. For injection moulding technology, the cockpit is not bad, and has nicely detailed instrument panels and side consoles but rather sparse sidewall details.'Aires' provide an alternative in the form of their exquisitively detailed cockpit set for the Wild Weasel which consists of fourteen beautifully moulded cream coloured resin parts along with a etched metal fret which enhances the cockpit to the next level. The fuselage parts require modification to accept the new resin and etched parts and this is made fairly simple as the plastic is quite soft and cuts easily. The pilot's instrument shroud, cockpit sills and inter-cockpit spacer all need to be removed and the cockpit sidewalls need the basic detail removing and a fair amount of its plastic thinning down to get the resin tub to fit. The tub itself has a large pour plug on its base and this needs to be removed and thinned as it has to sit on top of the nosewheel bay. Care has to be taken here to ensure it does not sit too high and further attention is necessary when thinning the nose bay roof as the plastic and resin is pretty thin by the time the correct fit is achieved. Once all this preparatory work is done, the cockpit can be painted. The tub has separate sidewalls, instrument panels, control columns and various etched pedals and levers, which all feature an extraordinary level

T

~

ChapterS

of detail that comes to life when painted black and highlighted by dry brushing. The ejector seats feature an amazing amount of detail. The seat harness is provided on the etched fret along with the face curtain ejector seat firing handles. This little set is crammed packed with detail that responds to paint and brings the whole thing to life. Other etched parts go together with acetate fLlm to form the actual instrument faces and the canopy sills, as well as the pilot's mirrors and a few other instruments. Once the cockpit is completed it can be inserted into the fuselage halves. When assembling the fuselage, care is needed when cementing the spine as a large amount of detail such as panel lines, inspection access panels and the in-flight refuelling

receptacle could be lost. Despite being as careful as possible, I still needed to re-engrave some panel lines removed by seam clean-up. The tail fin is moulded to the fuselage halves and features a leading edge probe which is also susceptible to damage if you are not careful! Hasegawa provide the nose cone as two separate parts that fit together very well, in fact, it is almost seamless, however Hasegawa's Phantoms are let down by their air intakes. Instead of the intakes disappearing down to the turbine faces deep inside the fuselage, they end abruptly just past the rear cockpit. I could have used one of the resin intake sets but I decided to go for the easy option of making two FOD guards from plastic card to hide the lack of depth.

Modelling the Phantom

~

The lower wings include the belly section of the fuselage and extend out to the wing fold line. The upper wings have the lower half of the outer wings moulded integrally and these fi t together perfectly and the wings also feature the modified extending leading-edge slats on the outer wing panels. The fit of the wings to the body needs some attention where the lower panel joins the fuselage at the aft end, to ensure a nice clean fit, but otherwise it's no problem. Hasegawa include a good selection of under wing stores: four Sparrow and four Sidewinders AAMs; a Shrike and HARM antiradiation missile and an ALQ-119 jamming pod, and also included are

~

Chapter8

the standard Phantom wing and centre line tanks. The Shrike and HARM are mounted on the inboard wing pylons on adaptor ra ils and if these are fitted, the Sidewinders will be relegated to the spares box. The inboard pylons are from the earlier version of the F-4 and feature some raised detail but this is hardly noticeable. In the forward port Sparrow well ALQ- 119 was added leaving the 'Weasel' with three Sparrows fo r self defence. All the underwing stores, along with the undercarriage and tailplanes, were left until the end to keep things easy fo r masking and painting and to avoid damage. Markings are provided for two versions of the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing, 563rd Tactical Fighter Squadron aircraft, one being in latter day 'Hill Grey' colours, whilst the other offers a South East Asia scheme, which was chosen for this build. After

masking off the transparencies with Tamiya masking tape, the canopy frames and nose cone were sprayed with Humbrol's Matt Black and once dry, the nose cone was masked off and the underside painted with Humbrol's Light Grey (64) . For the upper surface camouflage Humbrol's US Tan (118), US Dark Green (11 6) and Humbrol's US Light Green (11 7) were used and to achieve a hard demarcation line between colours, I masked the outline with 'Silly Putty' and filled in the rest of the area with regular masking tape. Once the camouflage painting was completed, I removed all but the canopy masks and airbrushed two coats of Klear Floor Polish onto the whole model to provide a hard gloss base for the decals and fo r weathering. The decals themselves are very well printed with excellent colour density and perfec t registration. They were applied using more Klear as a setting agent and thankfully unlike some Phantoms, this version is not plastered in stencil data thus

making the whole process quick and easy. The only struggle was with the fuselage walkway decals which put up a bit of fight against going on straight. Once the decals were dry, any excess fluid and decal glue was wiped away and a wash of thinned raw umber oil paint was applied to accentuate the panel lines. Some light dry brushing and a few paint scrapes finished off the weathering, and some streaking was applied to represent fluid and grime caused by the air flow. When this was all done, Humbrol's matt varnish returned the paint to a fla t finish. Once this was dry, I than masked of the tail section and painted the metallic section of the aircraft's rear with Humbrol's 'Metal Cote' colours using their Aluminium, and Polished Steel, which buff up to a great metallic sheen. The exhausts cans were painted using Gun Metal and all the metallic sections were further weathered using Tamiya XF-I S Smoke and some dry brushing with Aluminium. Final assembly saw the fitting of the undercarriage, external stores, tailplanes, canopies and a crew boarding ladder which was included in the kit as well as the aforementioned FOD guards, whose red finish added a splash of colour to the model.

-Modelling the Phantom

~

Photo-Phantom Phantom RF-4C Hasegawa 1/72 scale Angelo Picardo

H

asegawa's model of the RF-4C has been available for some time and is periodically re-released with new markings and colour schemes. The subject of this model has three marking variations for grey over white USAF aircraft from the mid -sixties in a colour scheme usually associated with US Navy Phantoms. This build is 'straight from the box' and no extras were used in order to show that a very reasonable model can be produced without additional expenditure. As Hasegawa produce a number of different F-4s in this scale, the fuselage mould is generic and designed to enable a number of different types to be made from its basic components; therefore the fuselage has a fore and aft split just behind the rear cockpit. The cockpit is nicely detailed for a kit of this scale and the cockpit tub needs the bulkheads, instrument panels and control columns adding along with the rear instrument panels and separate radar scope shroud. Hasegawa provide decals for the instrument panels and side console which in this scale are perfectly adequate. The real gems in the cockpit are the ejector seats. Each one is made up from five parts and the only addition required is a harness which can be scratch built. The whole of the cockpit assembly sits on top of the nosewheel bay which is integral to the underside of the nose itself. As parts of this model are also used for a US Navy version the retractable IFR probe section has to be fLlled as the US Air force use a different type refuelling system. Hasegawa provide clear parts for the various camera ports on this reconnaissance machine and they also provide a representation of the cameras. The two sides of the nose, along with the underside and clear camera port fairing, all fit together with ease, and can then be set aside while the rest of the aircraft is built. The rear portion of the fuselage is moulded with the

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Chapter 8

vertical fin as a part of it, except for the tip. These two fuselage halves go together with the minimum of fuss requiring only a hole to be opened up on the spine to receive a blade antenna. One tip for reference is to fustly attach the nose to the rest of the fuselage before bringing the halves together. Care in aligning the fuselage pieces is essential to ensure as seamless a joint as possible as any sanding or filling would destroy the fine detail along the spine. Another small piece of surgery requires the removal of the topmost probe on the tail fm. The next stage of assembly involves the air intakes which is a weak spot of this kit. Hasegawa has the intakes rather truncated, ending just aft of the rear cockpit, so when you peer into the gloom of the intakes you are greeted with a blank wall! Good advice would therefore be to seek out or construct a pair of FOD guards. The wings are in five parts comprising the lower wing incorporating the fuselage belly,

two upper wings and the sections outboard of the wing fold point. These all go together with minimal fuss and only require some slight trimming to attach to the fuselage. As the whole of the underside would be white, along with the undercarriage legs, bays and inner surface of the doors, these were attached at this stage leaving the tyres and wheels for later addition. The canopy is provided in four parts and these are thin and clear but do have some flash present so a careful clean up is required as they are quite brittle. Also included in the clear parts are the fairings for the rear cockpit mirrors, but check carefully as depending on which colour scheme you are making the positions of these fairings may vary. For underwing stores, the kit includes the standard wingmounted drop tanks, two types of centreline tanks and USAF style inboard pylons that have

Sidewinder rails fitted, and again check any references for the model you are making as to whether any AAMs were actually carried. The two aft troughs for the Sparrow missiles are blanked over on this version and the fit of these blanking parts is perfect. One of the final assembly stages is for the drag chute compartment fairing which is really a trial as this comes in two very small pieces! The kit features markings for three USAF RF-4Cs, all from 1965 with two from Shaw AFB, and one from Edwards Air Force Base, the latter forming the basis of this model, and as stated earlier, its grey over white scheme is one more readily associated with the US Navy. After masking off the transparencies with Tamiya tape, the canopy frames and anti -glare panel were sprayed Humbrol Matt Black. The anti-glare panel was then masked off and the model was given an overall cote of Humbrol Light Grey (64). Once this had dried, the upper surface was masked off and Humbrol Matt White applied to the underside and the drop tanks, these being left off to the very last to avoid them being prematurely jettisoned! The upper surface of the flaps and the rudder was also sprayed white along with both sides of the tailplanes. To represent the two-tone metallic finish of the engine exhaust plates Humbrol's Metal Cote colours, namely Aluminium (27001) and Polished Steel (27003) were used and to represent the darker finish on the exhaust cans, equal parts of Polished Steel with Gun Metal (27004) were mixed and applied. Once the paint had all dried, all the masking was removed except for the ones on the transparencies, and the model was airbrushed with a couple of cotes of Klear floor polish to provide a gloss coat for decaling and weathering. The kit's decals are well printed and in register though the white portions are slightly translucent, however they settled down well with the Klear polish being used as a setting solution. Once the decals had dried, a wash of thinned Raw Umber oil paint was applied to accentuate the panel lines. Once this was dried, all remaining masks were removed, and the last parts, such as drop tanks, tailplanes, wheels and exhaust cans were added.

Modelling the Phantom

~

Kits

Appendix

US Air Force Phantom Kits lthough there have been plenty of Phantom kits produced over the years there are surprisingly few available today, many hav ing been deleted or just faded away. Some resurface under with new packaging, and the only way to be sure of what is in a particular box is to read the reviews in the modelling press, particularly Scale Aviation Modeller International. For this Datafile we include this listing of kits, which at the time of writing are still part of their individual manufacturer's catalogues, and whilst it is acknowledged that many older kits may still be very good and highly sought after by both the modeller and collector, it is the intention to look at only what is current at the date of publication and therefore ava ilable for modelling projects.

A

KIT NO

SCALE

TYPE

1:144

HE

Tamiya's 1/32 scale F-4C/D

Hasegawa's 1/48 RF-4C

NOTES

ACADEMY 4419

Hasegawa's 1/48 F-4G

USAF

HASEGAWA 00787 00790 00791 HAC02 HA848 09672 PT008 PT009

1:72 1:72 1:72 1:72 1:72 1:48 1:48 1:48

RF-4C USAF F-4E USAF RF-4C USAF F-4E USAF F-4C/D USAF F-4G USAF F-4E USAF F-4G USAF

ESCI 1/48 F-4E shorl nose

35 Years Special 30 Years Phabulous Phantoms 'Lizard' scheme Bicentennial 37th TFW 30 Years Phabulous Phantoms Wild Weasel

Tamiya's 1/32 F-4C/D

Minicrah's 1/144 scale F-4E

ITALERI 2639

1:48

F-4E

USAF Hasegawa's 1/48 F-4E

MINICRAFT 1:144

F-4E

USAF

1:144

F-4E/J

USAF

1:32 1:32

F-4C/D F-4E

USAF USAF

Warplanes of the World series

REVELL 4002

TAMIYA 60305 6310

Early Production

A Gull Grey and While scheme adorns FJ-023 41023 (© Vi, Glenn Sands)

1122

Appendix I • Kits

I

Accessories & Conversions AEROCLUB

Appendix

II

EDUARD

EDSS201

etched

1/72

EJ003

metal

1/72

Martin Baker Mk 5H seats for early F-4

ED72448

etched

1/72

Cockpit ladder

V184

metal

1/72

Undercarriage Set

EDSS265

etched

1/72

RF-4C Cockpit pre-painted

ED72395

etched

1/72

Exhausts for Hasegawa kits

AEC32002

etched

1/32

F-4 E/J seat harness

ED72446

etched

1/72

FaD covers

AEC72023

resin

1/72

Canopy set for Hasegawa kit

EDXS043

mask

1/72

Canopy and wheels

AEC72035

etched

1/72

F-4E/J seat harness

C036

1/72

Phantom Canopy

AIRWAVES

AIRES

F-4E Cockpit pre-painted

ED49231

etched

1/48

F-4E Cockpit set pre-painted

ED48434

etched

1/48

FaD covers

2009

resin

1/32

F-4E engine exhausts

EDFE231

etched

1/48

F-4E Cockpit set for Hasegawa kit

4118

resin

1/48

Exhausts for Hasegawa kits

ED48462

etched

1/48

Exhausts for Hasegawa kits

48123

resin

1/48

Wheel bays for Hasegawa kits

EDFE340

etched

1/48

RF-4C Cockpit detail set pre-painted

4126

resin

1/48

Cockpit set for Hasegawa F-4E/F

ED49257

etched

1/48

F-4G detail set

4231

resin

1/48

RF-4B/C Photo bay for Hasegawa kit

EDFE257

etched

1/48

F-4G Cockpit detail set pre-painted

4240

resin

1/48

F-4C Cockpit set for Hasegawa kit

ED32509

etched

1/32

Placards

4245

resin

1/48

F-4D Cockpit set for Hasegawa kit

ED32503

etched

1/32

F-4E Interior set pre-painted

4255

resin

1/48

F-4E Cockpit set for Hasegawa Kit

ED32545

etched

1/32

F-4C/D Interior set pre-painted for Tamiya kits

7083

resin

1/72

Wheel bays for Revell kit

ED321 48

etched

1/32

F-4C/D Exterior set for Hasegawa kit

ED32544

etched

1/32

F-4C Interior set pre-painted

etched

1/32

F-4 Formation lights pre-painted

AIROOC

4801

resin

1/48

F-4E/RF-4C AN/ARN-1 01 Modification

ED32531

4802

resin

1/48

600 gal HPC tanks

EDXL035

mask

1/32

Paint mask

4803

resin

1/48

F-4C/D/E/G Detail set

ED32073

etched

1/32

F-4E Exterior set for Tamiya kit

ED32032

etched

1/32

F-4C/D Detail set for Tamiya kit

BLACK BOX

48058

resin

1/48

F-4D Cockpit set for Hasegawa kit

ED32074

etched

1/32

F-4 E Armament for Tamiya kit

3242

resin

1/32

F-4D Cockpit set with LORAN update

ED32080

etched

1/32

F-4 Engine exhausts

3219

resin

1/32

F-4E Cockpit set for Tamiya kits

EBIG3202

etched

1/32

F-4E Comprehensive detailing set

3243

resin

1/32

F-4D Cockpit set for Tamiya kit

EBIG7203

etched

1/72

F-4E Comprehensive detailing set

EBIG3234

etched

1/32

F-4D Comprehensive detailing set F-4C Comprehensive detailing set

CUTTING EDGE

32023

resin

1/32

F-4E conversion set for Tamiya kit

EBIG3233

etched

1/32

4855

resin

1/48

F-4C/D Seamless intakes for Hasegawa kits

EBIG4813

etched

1/48

F-4G Comprehensive detailing set

32153

resin

1/32

ALO-71 Jammer Pods

EBIG4809

etched

1/72

F-4E Comprehensive detailing set

1/48

Late-style Phantom exhausts

FHGS3203

resin

1/32

F-4E/F/GAirframe set

EAGLE DESIGNS

48CK06

FLIGHT PATH

resin

PARAGON DESIGNS

48086

resin

1/48

F-4 Flaps

32010

resin

1/32

Martin Baker Mk 7 Ejector seats

OB48004

resin

1/48

Ejector seats

OB72011

resin

1/72

Ejector seats USAF Wheels, weighted

QUICKBOOST

TRUE DETAILS

Aires Phantom exhausts

Airwaves canopy set

Aires 1/48 ejector seats

Aires 1:48 wheel bay set

48043

resin

1/48

72415

resin

1/72

Marin Baker Mk 7 ejector seats

48516

resin

1/48

F-4C Cockpit set Martin baker Mk 7 ejector seats

VERLINDEN

Aires F-4C Phantom set

Eduard engine exhaust set

Aires F-4D cockpit set

Eduard F-4E set

0373

resin

1/48

0510

resin

1/48

F-4E Update set for Hasegawa kit

1115

resin

1/32

Martin Baker Mk 7 ejector seats

1126

resin

1/32

RF-4C Cockpit for Revell kit

Quickboost1 /48 ejector seat

Eduard RF-4C detail set

Eduard RF-4C cockpit set

Appendix II • Accessories & Conversions

1231

Decals

APpendJII

Few USAF Units have been missed by decal manufacturers over the years, and new sheets continue to be added to the genre. Once again for the purposes of this Datafile we have only included those sheets in production at the time of publication. LEADING EDGE

AEROMASTER 48000

1:48

F-4C

F-4C 's over Vietnam part 2 (2)

7217

1:72

F-4G

Idaho ANG 'Last of the Weasels'

48763

1:48

F-4C

Early F-4C 's part 9 (4)

4817

1:48

F-4G

Idaho ANG 'Last of the Weasels'

48764

1:48

F-4C

Early F-4C 's part II (4)

3217

1:32

F-4G

Idaho ANG 'Last of the Weasels'

48473

1:44

F-4C

F-4C's over Vietnam part 3 (2)

SUPERSCALE

32006

1:32

F-4G & RF-4C

Phantoms in the Gulf War

72006

1:72

F-4G & RF-4C

3203

1:32

Various

3204

1:32

4803

1:48

7203 7204

481158

1:48

F-4C

480161

1:48

F-4C/E

USAFE (3)

Phantoms in the Gulf War

481030

1:48

RF-4C

192 TRS/165 TRS/67 RW (3)

USAF Phantoms in Germany #1

TWOBOBS

Various

USAF Phantoms in Germany #2

72048

1:72

RF-4C

No-Gun Shoguns

Various

USAF Phantoms in Germany # 1

72047

1:72

F-4C

First of the Weasels

1:72

Various

USAF Phantoms in Germany # 1

48114

1:48

F-4C

First of the Weasels

1:72

Various

USAF Phantoms in Germany #2

48050

1:48

QF-4G

Team Target

32022

1:32

F-4E

SEA Heroes (2)

1:72

F-4

UK Based Phantoms (15)

1:32

F-4E

JJ Jaws (3)

AIROOC

CAM DECALS 48045

1:48

F-4E

Thunderbirds

XTRADECAL

3206

1:32

F-4E

34 TFS/469 TFS Vietnam (2)

72072

171 st FIS William Tell 1984 (1)

lOTZ

EXPERTS CHOICE 4803

1:48

F-4E

4836

1:48

F-4E

32004

57 FIS Keflavik

4861

1:48

RF-4C

106 TRS/3247 Test (2)

7214

1:72

F-4E

163 TFS Blacksnakes (2)

7218

1:72

RF-4C

106th Recon Alabama ANG (1)

48150

1:48

F-4E

Vietnam Warriors (4)

~ •• I

48208

1:48

F-4E

Early USAF Phantom Stencils

-0- -0- ... •

48012

1:48

F-4

USAF Walkways

48024

1:48

F-4C/D

EAGLE STRIKE ~

••

'iii

­

~:o: o ~ ~

FOX ONE

1/'

~ D -u

~c:;:

::::1 0 =

Zoll Decals JJ Jaws sheet

Experts Choice Special RF-4C's

USAF Phantoms in Vietnam (8)

HI DECAL 48023

1:48

RF-4C/F-4E

USAF/IRIAF/Spanish

72053

1:72

RF-4C/F-4E

USAF/IRIAF/Spanish

ISRA ISRA37

1:48

F-4E

Complete set of stencils for 1 aircraft

ISRA36

1:72

RF-4C

Complete set of stencil s for 1 aircraft

ISRA39

1:32

F-4E

Complete set of stencils for 1 aircraft

--~--.-

Aeromaster 48-000 Phantoms over Vietnam

Aeromaster 48-763 Early Phantoms in Combat 9

Campro 3206 F-4E

Superscale 48-1158 William Tell F-4C

.;;

Aeromaster 48-473 Phantoms over Vietnam 3

Airdoc War Gulf Warriors

Aeromaster 48-765 Early Phantoms II

Isra Decals Stencils

Leading Edge 4817 Gulf War Warriors - -.•..:::..'=:..~- : -..

• -.;:.;;;.,....e

~ :-~ ,;;;".

,

. ~~ ~ - :: ...-:--:::~-, .~o =.

If"

'--;;:oiE'"

.--~ -~ --

If"

---- - TwoBobs 72-047 'First of the Weasels'

1124

Appendix III - Decals

TwoBobs 72-048 'No-Gun Shoguns' RF-4C

TwoBobs 48-050 Team target OF-4G

Eagle Strike 48-208 Stencil sheet

Two Bobs 32-022 SEA Heroes F-4e

Fox One 48-024 SEA Phantoms

USAF F-4 Main Differences Engines

Appendix

IV

RF-4C

F-4C

F-4D

F-4E

F-4G

J79-GE-15

J79-GE-15

J79-GE-15

J79-GE-17

J79-GE-1 7

No.7 Fuel Cell

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

Ram Air Turbine

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

Wing Fold

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

Internal Gun

No

No

No

Yes

No

AN/APQ-99

AN/APQ-100

AN/APQ-109

AN/APQ-120

AN/APQ-120

Intercept Computer

No

AN/APQ-157

AN/APQ-157 or 165

AN/APQ-1 20, LRU-1

AN/APQ-120, LRU-1

TISEO

No

No

No

Yes lrom 71-237 +

No

AN/ ALR-17 or AN/ ALQ-1 25

No

No

No

AN/APR-38A

AN/ALR-69 or -74

AN/ALR-69 or -74

No

No

Radar

Radar Receiving Set Radar Warning Receiver Radar Mapping Weapons Release Computer INS Set

AN/ALR-69

AN/APR-25 or -26 or AN/ALR-46 AN/APS-107 or AN/ALR-69

AN/ APQ-1 02 or AN/UPD-4 or 8

No

No

No

No

AN/ASQ-91 (+AN/ARN-92)

AN/ASQ-91 or AN/ARN-101 AN/ASQ-91 Mod or AN/ARN-101

AN/ASN-56 or AN/ARN-101

AN/ASN-48

AN/ASN-63

AN/ASN-63 or AN/ARN-101

AN/ASN-63 or AN/ARN-101

Leading Edge Slats

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

Slotted Tail

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

Length

62.9 ft

58.2 ft

58.2 ft

62.9 ft

63.0 ft

Wingspan

38.4 It

38.4 It

38.4 It

38.4 It

38.4 It

Height

16.5 ft

16.5 ft

16.5 ft

16.5 ft

16.5 It

Empty Weight

28,5461b

28,5391b

28,8731b

30,328 1b

30,3001b

Max Take-Off Weight

58,0001b

59,6891b

59,4831b

61,795 Ib

61 ,7951b

AIM-9 Sidewinder

4

4

4

4

4

AIM-7 Sparrow

No

4

4

4

4

AGM-65 Maverick

No

No

Block 30 +

Yes Block 36 +

Yes

Pave Spike Sensor

No

No

Block 30 +

From 67-342 Upwards

No

Pave Tack Sensor

From Block 37 +

No

No

From Block 48 +

Yes

ECM Pod

Yes

Blocks 16 - 24

Yes

Yes

Yes

AN/ALE-40 Chaff & Flares

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

'E's and 'D's combine for a raid I<:J via Glenn Sands)

Appendix IV • USAF F-4 Main Differences

1251

Phantom Bibliography Books F-4 Phantom Robert F Dorr Osprey ISBN 850455871 USAF F-4E & F-4G Bert Kinzey Detail &Scale ISBN 853685258 Air War Over Vietnam Dana Bell Warbirds Illustrated 14 ISBN 853685738 F-4 Gun Nosed Phantoms Kris Hughes & Walter Drahem Warbird Tech ISBN 978093342 Rhino The Immortal Phantom Joe Cupido Windrow & Greene ISBN 872004180 The Phantom Story Anthony Thomborough &Peter E Davies Arms &Armour Press ISBN 1854094165 Spirit In The Skies Various Aerospace ISBN 1880588315 McDonnell Douglas Phantom Bill Gunston Ian Allan F-4E Phantom II In action Larry Davies Squadron/Signal ISBN 879471547 F-4E Phantom II Walkaround Larry Davies Squadron/Signal ISBN 89475119 F-4D Phantom II Bert Kinzey Detail & Scale ISBN 830682428

1126

Appendix V • Bibliography

Recon Phantoms Colours & Markings Bert Kinzey Detail &Scale ISBN 890242216

USAF Phantom MiG Killers 1972-77 Peter Davies Osprey ISBN 97818414776

Wings of Fame 15 Various Aerospace ISBN 1861840330

F-4 Phantom Notebook Wilson & Franzi Norebook Publications ISBN 1876722005

Combat Legends F-4 Phantom Martin Bowman Airlife

F-4E Phantom Colours & Markings Detail & Scale

Phantom Tony Holmes Chancellor Press ISBN 9781851529

Phantom Pilot Over Vietnam John Trotti

Phantoms Forever Robert Dorr Motorbooks ISBN 9780850474 Superbase 1 Nellis George Hall Osprey ISBN 850458447 USAF MiG Killers 1965-68 Peter Davies Osprey ISBN 1841766569 Phantom Guardians ANG Phantoms Daniel Soulaine Osprey ISBN 185532198 F-4 Phantom Robbie Shaw Airlife ISBN 97815310096 USAF Phantoms Anthony Thomborough PSL ISBN 8653638877 F-4 Phantom Production & Operational Data William R Peake Midland Publishing ISBN 857801903

F-4D Phantom II Colours & Markings Post Vietnam Bert Kinzey Detail &Scale F-4C/D & RF-4C In Detail & Scale Bert Kinzey Detail &Scale

APpendi' V

Index

Please note: this index does not reference appendices, walkarou nds or tables.

63-426 in colourful garb (© via Mark Smith)

A

E

K

0

S

U

Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Centre: 106 Air Force Reserve: 13 Air National Guard 13, 31 Alabama ANG: 27, 46 'Arizona Chicken': 37

Eglin AFB: 74 Electronic Warfare Officer: 93

Kadena AFB: 15, 46 Kentucky ANG: 38, 95 Kennedy, President John E: Korat AFB: 15, 70, 71 , 73

'Old Eagle Eye" 35 Olds, Lt. Col. Robin: 33, 36 Operation Desert Shield: 98 Operation Desert Storm: 41 , 46, 47, 68, 96, 98 Operation Highspeed: 8 Operation Provide Comfort: 95, 96 Operation Provide Comfort II: 96 Operation Southern Watch: 96 Oregon ANG: 29 Osan AFB: 64

Seymour Johnson AFB: 24 Shaw AFB: 44, 46 Sheik Isa AB: 46, 97-99 'Snoopy': 37 Soesterberg AFB: 65 Spangdahlem AFB: 68, 95, 96 Specific Operational Requirement 196: 38 Specific Operational Requirement 200: 9

Udorn RTAFB: 46

F 'Freeze Frame" 45

L 'Little Chris': 73

B

G

Bergstrom AFB: 46 Bevan, Col. W.E.: 34 Bitburg AFB: 24 'Black Knights': 12

General Electric J79-GE-15 turbojets: 10 George AFB: 64, 66, 67, 68, 95, 98 Gullick, Capt. Francis: 33 'Gunfighters': 72

C California ANG: 41 , 67 Clark AFB: 24, 76, 95 'Come The Judge': 71

0 Da Nang AB: 70 Davis Monthan AFB: 47, 96, 106 DeBelievue, WSO Cha~es: 36

M March AFB: 42 Martin-Baker Mk 7: 22 Martin-Baker Mk H5: 10 McNamara, Robert: 8 Michigan ANG: 10 Mississippi ANG: 41 Missouri ANG: 66, 68 Moody AFB: 68

H 'Happy Hooligans': 8 Hill AFB: 95, 111 Holloman AFB : 106, 109

N Nellis AFB: 63, 96 Nevada ANG: 46 'Night Owl' : 37 'No Gun Shogun': 47

Idaho ANG: 41 , 46, 93, 95, 96 Inc i~ik AB: 46, 68, 96, 98

A pair 0135th TFW 'Weasels' formate aMer refuelling

'_=

5

P Pease AFB: 62

R RAF Alconbury: 41, 45 RAF Lakenheath: 27 Raspberry, Maj. Everett T: 33 'Rhino': 31 Ritchie, Captain Steve: 33, 34

T Taegu AB: 46 Target Drones: 106 Team Target: 109 Texas AFRES: 28 Texas ANG : 10, 69 'The Blue Max': 34 'The Saint': 35 Thunderbirds 104-105 TISEO (Target Identification System Electro-Optical): 64, 66, 84 'Triple Nickel': 34 Tyndall AFB 10, 106

W Watson, Colonel Paul C: 35 Wild Weasel 14, 47, 92, 93 'Wizzo': 10 'Wolfpack': 35 'Wreckin Crew': 72, 73

y Yokota AB: 15

Z Zwiebrucken AB: 46, 47

16th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron: 44 4453rd Combat Crew Training Wing: 12

C<> " ,on)

Index

1271

c

An anniversary Phantom as displayed at the London International Airshow in Ontario Canada in 1988

DATAFILE

(© Author's Collection)

F-4E late

RF-4C early

172 SCALE _'~I _

_

J.:: - :,',e,

RF-4C late

Do

RF-4C

o

C

0

1

-

0

F-4G

sJ

I-*;,I,M 1/72•• SCALE ':ti!l,w

!2m ; 1"....IIIi••~.~ ••~sJ~1~m~_~~_ 1

3m

SAM PUB LI CAT IONS

F-4G

III I

F-4C/D

F-4C/D

o

0

5j11 :>

F-4E early

~---_L-_ -;'

F-4E

o

0

0 - 0

0 - ·

F-4E slats

=

F-4E slats

II

.

~.......J1m

!2m

DATAFIL SAM PUBLICATIONS

~~____----~------ I