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" in place of the elevator and had a 23 degree anhedral droop for higher angles of attack.
One of the very first Boundary Layer Control systems was used on the F- 4 wings. Engine bleed air was blown across the flaps and flaperons, providing low speed control for carrier landings. Landing gear was strengthened for high sink rate carrier landings. The nose strut could raise a full twenty inches to increase the angle of attack for carrier takeoffs.
The movable air intake ramp was also distinctively designed to avoid ingestion of sluggish boundary layer air. Maintenance crews were provided with 199 access doors, engine removal doors and a radar set mounted on tracks. For extra combat survivability the hydraulic controls had triple redundancy.
The Phantom would routinely haul twice the bomb load of a B-17. Fully 10% of its airframe was made of titanium. Maximum takeoff weight was 60,000 pounds, top speed was Mach 2.23 and it had an incredible climb rate of 41,000 feet/minute. Fifteen world records would be set, including an absolute top speed of 1,606 mph and absolute altitude (zoom climb) of 98,557 feet. A zoom climb to over 100,000 was achieved but not officially recognized. Bombs weighing 18,650 pounds were mounted on 9 external hard points. It was a true multi-role warplane, capable of air-to-air, air-to-ground, unguided, guided and nuclear bombing and reconnaissance. Aim-7 Sparrow, Aim-9 Sidewinder and AGM-65 Maverick missiles were used on most models.
The Phantom was not as maneuverable as Soviet aircraft but it used its massive thrust to great advantage, being able to enter or exit a fight at will. It became common practice to "go vertical" and get away if an F-4 is got into trouble in a turning fight.
The Phantom became the benchmark for the next generation of fighters and remained the most capable and feared fighter until the F-15 became operational.
Problems:
As the Phantom settled into its unexpected role as a fighter, a serious problem with unrecoverable stall and spin was discovered. If extreme maneuvering induced this spin below 10,000 feet the crew needed to eject immediately. Over 100 Phantoms were lost due to this problem. Installing the leading edge slats helped, but at the expense of the Boundary Layer Control system. A structural failure of a wing later required a strengthening modification. The engines produced a trail of black smoke that helped the aim of enemy gunners. Maintenance in terms of man-hours was very high.
The "fighters are obsolete" mentality also applied to a "missile only" mentality. The opinion that supersonic combat would eliminate the need for guns and dog fighting skills hurt the success of the early Vietnam era Phantoms. Supersonic interception of bombers with long range missiles was the original scenario. Existing missiles were often useless against MiGs in close, low altitude, subsonic dog fighting. A hastily attached external gun was heavy, inaccurate and produced high drag. A good internal 20mm cannon was eventually retrofitted.
US Navy/US Marines:
The first F-4B Phantoms were operational in 1962. Cutting edge J79-GE-8AB engines were used along with the APQ 72 radar and 32 inch dish. Originally offered to the Navy as an air superiority fighter/interceptor, the F-4B quickly adapted to the role of dogfighter and bomber.
Navy F-4Gs were equipped for anti-submarine warfare. The F-4N was an updated F-4B.
F-4Js with 17,900 pound thrust J79-GE-19 engines were delivered with improved TACAN, upgraded AJB-7 bombing system and drooped ailerons to reduce landing speed. Some were retrofitted with leading edge maneuvering slats, designated as F-4S. Navy and Marines Phantoms were virtually identical, all being able to land on carriers. The Marines used theirs for close air support. The Navy found them to be excellent defenders of the carrier groups and fleets. Both services received a Vulcan 20mm cannon.
The second crewman was a Radar Intercept Officer (RIO).
US Air Force:
The Air Force borrowed 29 F-4B Phantoms for evaluation and found them to be ideal. They had to swallow a bit of pride by accepting the F-4Cs, which were very much Navy aircraft with some modifications. Remote airstrips required a pyrotechnic self-start cartridge. J79-GE-15 engines were used with a different refueling probe, dual flight controls, and new avionics. Receiving the first Phantoms in 1963, they quickly became the primary fighter of the USAF.
The F-4D was built specifically for the Air Force, although all Phantoms retained the arresting hook and folding wings. These had the APQ-109 fire control radar, lead computing gun sight and an ASQ-91 weapon release computer for smart bombs. The Aim 4D Falcon missiles were considered a flop and removed. The SUU-16 20 mm cannon was hastily installed but was also insufficient.
The F-4E had up-rated 17,900 pound thrust J79-GE-17 engines. An excellent internally mounted six barrel rotary type gun finally ended the deficient gun problem. (Gasses from this gun initially caused engine flameouts however.) Beginning in 1973 these had target identification systems and a digital computer for the Sidewinder and Sparrow missiles. The LN-12 inertial navigation system was replaced with the ARN-101 system.
The F-4F became the standard US Air Force variant with an improved APQ-120 radar.
The F-4G "Advanced Wild Weasel" was a modified E model with advanced electronic warfare equipment. The cannon was removed to make room for it and it was armed to the teeth with AIM-65 Maverick missiles, air-to-air missiles and cluster bombs. The AGM-88 HARM missile was the main weapon. The F-4G was highly feared by air defense personnel on the "wrong side". The Gs often worked as hunter/killer teams.
The second crewman, who could fly the plane in a crisis, was a Weapons Systems Officer (WSO).
Combat Experience:
Thankfully the Phantom was never called to our defense against the Soviet Union. It did rapidly become the principle air superiority fighter and icon of the Vietnam War. Despite its durability and ruggedness, 761 were lost. It was also perfectly suited to air defense suppression in Dessert Storm. It's capability was proven again while fighting for Israel and Iran.
This icon of the Cold War has left the carrier decks and runways for the last time in the U.S. History will remember the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom as one of the very best multi-role combat aircraft of the century.
When production finally ceased in 1981 5,195 Phantoms would be built. Not bad considering it was developed unsolicited, without a customer or dime of government funding. Continued development ensured it is still flown in several countries and will continue to do so until 2015 and likely beyond. I'll bet the original designers are proud of their airplane that will outlive themselves!