F-4C
PHANTOM II
| First flown in May 1958,
the Phantom II originally was developed for U.S. Navy fleet defense and
entered service in 1961. The USAF evaluated it for close air support, interdiction,
and counter-air operations and, in 1962, approved a USAF version.
The USAF's Phantom II, designated
F-4C, made its first flight on May 27, 1963. Production deliveries began
in November 1963. In its air-to-ground role the F-4 can carry twice the
normal bomb load of a WW II B-17. USAF F-4s also fly reconnaissance and
"Wild Weasel" anti-aircraft missile suppression missions.
Phantom II production ended
in 1979 after over 5,000 had been built, more than 2,600 for the USAF,
about 1,200 for the Navy and Marine Corps, and the rest for friendly foreign
nations. In 1965 the first USAF Phantom IIs were sent to Southeast Asia
(SEA). The first USAF pilot to score four combat victories with F-4s in
SEA was then Col. Robin Olds, a WW II ace. |
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The F-4 is the only plane
that has been used by both the USAF Thunderbirds and the Navy Blue Angels.
Over 5,100 Phantoms were
built for the USAF, Navy, Marines, and several countries around the world.
F-4’s have set several speed and altitude records. Used as a ground attack
fighter in Vietnam, the F-4 also proved to be an able air-to-air fighter--
at least, three pilots who became aces during Vietnam were flying the Phantom.
The F-4 was last used as
a radar-detection-and-destroy aircraft in the Gulf War. Several countries
still use the Phantom in their air forces. |
| SPECIFICATIONS |
|
| Span: |
38 ft. 5 in. (27 ft. 6 in.
folded) |
| Length: |
58 ft. 2 in. |
| Height: |
16 ft. 6 in. |
| Weight: |
58,000 lbs. loaded |
| Armament: |
Up to 16,000 lbs. of externally
carried nuclear or conventional bombs, rockets, missiles,
or 20mm cannon pods in various
combinations |
| Engines: |
Two General Electric J-79-GE-15s;
17,000 lbs thrust each w/ afterburner |
| Crew: |
Two (2) |
| Cost: |
$ 1,898,365 |
| Tail Number: |
64-0783 |
| Years in Service: |
1961-1997 |
|
|
| PERFORMANCE |
|
| Maximum Speed: |
1,400 mph. |
| Cruising Speed: |
590 mph. |
| Range: |
1,750 miles without aerial
refueling |
| Service Ceiling: |
59,600 feet |
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