by Dave Jackson

Created on: May 14, 2008   Last Updated: September 09, 2008

The launch of Sputnik signaled the beginning of the Soviet ICBM threat. Nuclear missiles could soon rain down from space. The bomber vs. interceptor game would soon be over, causing the cancellation of several excellent interceptor aircraft. Thankfully, McDonnell Aircraft didn't believe this for a second. Huge numbers of Soviet bombers remained poised to obliterate North American and European cities. The supersonic F-4 Phantom stepped in to meet this threat and would become one of the best warplanes ever built.

The Phantom became famous for getting home with horrific combat damage. Air superiority, close air support, interception, air defense suppression, long range strike, fleet defense, bomber escort and reconnaissance were all in a days work for the F-4

Development:

In 1953, McDonnell Aircraft (later McDonnell Douglas) began a program to replace its aging F-3F carrier aircraft for the US Navy. Originally designated AH-1, McDonnell's F-4 finally prevailed against the F-8 Crusader and the F-106 Delta Dart in a series of fly-offs. (The original "Phantom" flew in 1945, causing the F-4 to be named "Phantom II". Because the original was largely unknown, the "II" was soon dropped). The trend in interceptor development was towards the tail-less delta wing, which provided high speed and low drag. Others felt a conventional swept wing and tail layout was more sensible. The Phantom employed the best of both concepts, resulting in one of the most important aircraft of the Cold War. The low mounted wing was very similar to the doomed Avro Arrow but still enjoyed the benefits of a tail. Mach 2+ speeds were easily achieved in this truly multi-role fighter.

The first 45 aircraft were built for development purposes. Some of them would later be converted to Bs for the Navy. Both the Navy Blue Angels and the Air Force Thunderbirds used the Phantom for several years. Several variants were developed for international sales to eleven other countries.

Distinctive Features and Capabilities:

The F-4 was a large twin engine, twin seat all weather fighter with a range of 1,300 miles. It was nearly 63 feet long with a wingspan of 39 feet 11 inches. In place of conventional ailerons, the Phantom had unique "flaperons" outboard of the flaps. These moved down only and depended on roll spoilers in place of the "up" aileron. The distinctive "dog tooth" leading edge controlled airflow and improved handling at high angles of attack. The unique horizontal tail plane was an all-moving "stabilator"

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