The F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber. It is a large fighter with a top speed of over Mach 2.2. It can carry over 18,000 pounds of weapons on nine external hardpoints, including air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, and various bombs. The F-4, like other interceptors of its time, was designed without an internal cannon, but later models incorporated a M61 Vulcan rotary cannon. Beginning in 1959, it set 15 world records, including an absolute speed record, and an absolute altitude record.
Originally developed for the US Navy as F4H by McDonnell Aircraft, it first flew on 27 May 1958. It first entered service on 30 December 1960 with the US Navy. The USAF received Phantoms as the result of Defense Secretary Robert McNamara's push to create a unified fighter for all branches of the military.
After an F-4B won the "Operation Highspeed" fly-off against the Convair F-106 Delta Dart, the USAF borrowed two Naval F-4Bs, temporarily designating them F-110A "Spectre" in January 1962, and developed requirements for their own version. Unlike the Navy focus on interception, the USAF emphasized a fighter-bomber role. With McNamara's unification of designations on 18 September 1962, the Phantom became the F-4 with the Naval version designated F-4B and USAF F-4C. The first Air Force Phantom flew on 27 May 1963, exceeding Mach 2 on its maiden flight.
This aircraft, one of 5,195 F-4s built, is F-4C-19-MC s/n 63-7567 designed specifically for USAF use. Early in its career, it was converted to an EF-4C Wild Weasel flak suppression aircraft and was last operated by the California Air National Guard, Fresno, CA. On 9 April 1986, it was sold to Flight Systems Inc, Mojave, CA, with civilian registration of N402FS. By June of 1987 it was displayed at Travis Air Museum.
Specifications:
Crew: 2
Power Plant: 2× 11,905 lbf GE J79-GE-17A axial compressor turbojets 17,845 lbf w/afterburner
Dimensions:
- Span: 38' 5"
- Length: 63' 0"
- Height: 16' 6"
Weight:
- Empty: 30,328 lb
- Maximum: 61,795 lb
Performance:
- Speed:
- - Max: 1,472 mph @ 40,000 ft
- - Cruise: 585 mph
- Range: 1,615 miles
- Ceiling: 60,000 ft
- Climb: 41,300 fpm
Armament: Up to 18,650 lb of weapons on nine external hardpoints, including general purpose bombs, cluster bombs, TV- and laser-guided bombs, rocket pods, air-to-ground missiles, anti-runway weapons, anti-ship missiles, targeting pods, reconnaissance pods, and nuclear weapons. Baggage pods and external fuel tanks may also be carried.
- Guns: 1× 20mm M61 Vulcan 6-barreled gatling cannon, 640 rounds (in gun pod)
- External:
- - 4× AIM-9 Sidewinder
- - 4× AIM-7 Sparrow, AAM-3
- - 6× AGM-65 Maverick
- - 4× AGM-62 Walleye
- - 4× AGM-45 Shrike, AGM-88 HARM, AGM-78 Standard ARM
- - 4× GBU-15
- - 18× Mk 82, GBU-12
- - 5× Mk 84, GBU-10, GBU-14
- - 18× CBU-87, CBU-89, CBU-58
- - Nuclear weapons, including the B28EX, B61, B43 and B57
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