The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the U.S. Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. Proving highly adaptable, it became a major part of the air wings of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Air Force.
It was used extensively by all three of these services during the Vietnam War, serving as the principal air superiority fighter for both the Navy and Air Force, as well as being important in the ground-attack and reconnaissance roles by the close of U.S. involvement in the war.
History of F-4 Phantom
The F-4 is one of the most famous fighter aircraft of the post-World War II era, having been used in large numbers by the air forces of many western nations, where it gradually evolved in capability and mission diversity. First flown on 27 May 1958, the Phantom was developed as a private venture by McDonnell and was first ordered by the US Navy as a carrier-based attack aircraft armed with a 20-mm cannon (the F-4B).
Soon after its introduction to active service in December 1960, a fly-off competition was conducted between the Phantom and various frontline Air Force fighters. The Phantom excelled in the competition in such a decisive way that the US Air Force ordered a slightly different version of the aircraft (the F-4C) and the Phantom went on to equip over three-quarters of the USAF's fighter wings.
US involvement in the war in Vietnam saw the F-4 utilized in an increasingly multi-role capacity, delivering bombs in huge multi-aircraft formations, shooting down North Vietnamese MiGs, and earning its rightful place in history. Improvements in the aircraft's electronic systems, engines and airframe resulted in many variants, including the F-4E (with more powerful engines, leading-edge wing slats to improve maneuverability, and 20-mm cannon); the RF-4E (export version designed for tactical reconnaissance); the F-4F (air superiority version for the German Luftwaffe, with air-to-ground weapons system removed); the F-4G ("Wild Weasel" anti-missile version); and the F-4K/M (Royal Navy/Royal Air Force versions, respectively).
The latest variant, and certainly the last, are the QF-4N pilot-less target drones operated by the Pacific Missile Test Center at Point Mugu, California. In addition to several F-4s still in active service with the Lufwaffe at Holloman AFB, New Mexico, and several others performing civilian-contract test work at Mojave, California, a sole privately operated F-4 was made airworthy in the 1990s in the USA, thanks to the hard work of both the USAF and the Collings Foundation. Flown by USAF Vietnam ace General Steve Ritchie, this F-4 is flown at airshows around the USA as an extremely effective recruiting tool for the Air Force. (See photo above.)
The F-4 remains in service in several nations around the world, including Germany, Japan, Greece, Turkey and South Korea.
F-4 Phantom Nicknames
Double Ugly; Rhino; Old Smokey; Elephant (Luftwaffe nickname); Tomb (early RAF nickname); Kurnass (Israeli nickname meaning "Hammer")
F-4 Phantom Armament
One 20-mm M61A1 rotary cannon;
Four AIM-7 Sparrow missiles or 3,020 pounds of weapons under
F-4 Phantom Resources
The F-4 Phantom II Society Inc., is an international organization open to all persons or groups interested in the study and preservation of the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II.
F-4 Phantom Photo Gallery (and Wallpaper download)
It was used extensively by all three of these services during the Vietnam War, serving as the principal air superiority fighter for both the Navy and Air Force, as well as being important in the ground-attack and reconnaissance roles by the close of U.S. involvement in the war.
History of F-4 Phantom
The F-4 is one of the most famous fighter aircraft of the post-World War II era, having been used in large numbers by the air forces of many western nations, where it gradually evolved in capability and mission diversity. First flown on 27 May 1958, the Phantom was developed as a private venture by McDonnell and was first ordered by the US Navy as a carrier-based attack aircraft armed with a 20-mm cannon (the F-4B).
Soon after its introduction to active service in December 1960, a fly-off competition was conducted between the Phantom and various frontline Air Force fighters. The Phantom excelled in the competition in such a decisive way that the US Air Force ordered a slightly different version of the aircraft (the F-4C) and the Phantom went on to equip over three-quarters of the USAF's fighter wings.
US involvement in the war in Vietnam saw the F-4 utilized in an increasingly multi-role capacity, delivering bombs in huge multi-aircraft formations, shooting down North Vietnamese MiGs, and earning its rightful place in history. Improvements in the aircraft's electronic systems, engines and airframe resulted in many variants, including the F-4E (with more powerful engines, leading-edge wing slats to improve maneuverability, and 20-mm cannon); the RF-4E (export version designed for tactical reconnaissance); the F-4F (air superiority version for the German Luftwaffe, with air-to-ground weapons system removed); the F-4G ("Wild Weasel" anti-missile version); and the F-4K/M (Royal Navy/Royal Air Force versions, respectively).
The latest variant, and certainly the last, are the QF-4N pilot-less target drones operated by the Pacific Missile Test Center at Point Mugu, California. In addition to several F-4s still in active service with the Lufwaffe at Holloman AFB, New Mexico, and several others performing civilian-contract test work at Mojave, California, a sole privately operated F-4 was made airworthy in the 1990s in the USA, thanks to the hard work of both the USAF and the Collings Foundation. Flown by USAF Vietnam ace General Steve Ritchie, this F-4 is flown at airshows around the USA as an extremely effective recruiting tool for the Air Force. (See photo above.)
The F-4 remains in service in several nations around the world, including Germany, Japan, Greece, Turkey and South Korea.
F-4 Phantom Nicknames
Double Ugly; Rhino; Old Smokey; Elephant (Luftwaffe nickname); Tomb (early RAF nickname); Kurnass (Israeli nickname meaning "Hammer")
F-4 Phantom Armament
One 20-mm M61A1 rotary cannon;
Four AIM-7 Sparrow missiles or 3,020 pounds of weapons under
F-4 Phantom Resources
The F-4 Phantom II Society Inc., is an international organization open to all persons or groups interested in the study and preservation of the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II.
F-4 Phantom Photo Gallery (and Wallpaper download)
F-4 Phantom Solo
F-4 Phantom RAF
F-4 Phantom Flight Formation
F-4 Phantom Bombs Away
F-4 Phantom BAT
F-4 PhantomMcDonne
