Are there any F4 Phantoms still flying?
As of 2021, 63 years after its first flight, the F-4 remains in active service with the air forces of Iran, South Korea, Greece and Turkey. The aircraft has most recently been in service against the Islamic State group in the Middle East….McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II.
| F-4 Phantom II | |
|---|---|
| Status | In limited service |
Was the F4 a good plane?
The F-4’s bombing capability made it a workhorse during the Vietnam War. The Phantom’s power and number of weapons stations allowed it to carry a wide variety of ordnance, which allowed it to be tailored to a specific mission in ways that were impossible for other airplanes.
How effective is f4 Phantom?
The Air Force’s Phantoms claimed 107 air-to-air kills for 33 lost to MiGs, and the Marine Corps claimed three. Ground fire shot down 474 Phantoms in all services, as the heavy-lifting Phantom fighters did double duty as ground-attack aircraft.
How fast was an F 4 Phantom?
1,473 mph
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II/Top speed
What missiles did the F-4 carry?
The F-4F had one of the seven fuselage fuel tanks omitted along with the capability to carry AIM-7 Sparrow missiles and bombs. It was equipped with air combat maneuvering leading edge slats and had a higher thrust to weight ratio, approaching 1:1 when fuel was low.
When did the first F-4 Phantom take off?
The first prototype, F4H-1, took off on its maiden flight from Lambert St. Louis International Airport in May 1958. The aircraft was named the F-4 Phantom II, as a tribute to FH-1 Phantom, the first jet fighter of McDonnell. It subsequently became F-4 Phantom as it was the only Phantom in service.
What is the difference between the F-4B and F4 Phantom?
Unlike the navy’s 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.
Where can I see an F-4 Phantom II on display?
There are many F-4 Phantom IIs on display worldwide. A F-4E is on display in Lowry, Colorado in Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum. A F-4 Phantom is on display in Grove, Oklahoma on land donated by Ferra Aerospace corporation.
What countries have F-4 Phantom IIs been to?
The aircraft has been in service in 11 other countries including: Australia, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Iran, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Spain, Turkey and the UK. The F-4s participated in the Vietnam War and the Operation Desert Storm. Production was stopped in 1985, after 5,195 Phantom IIs had been manufactured.