Table of Contents
McDonnell FH Phantom
The McDonnell FH Phantom was a twinjet fighter aircraft designed and first flown during World War II for the United States Navy. The Phantom was the first purely jet-powered aircraft to land on an American aircraft carrier and the first jet deployed by the United States Marine Corps.
Did Germany have phantoms?
The German Air Force (Luftwaffe) operated a total of 175 F-4Fs, 10 F-4Es (for training at U.S. airfields) and 88 RF-4Es making it one of the most prolific Phantom customers. In 1971 the new West German Luftwaffe was only 16 years old, having been formed in 1955.
Why was the F-4 called the Phantom?
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.
Did the f4f Phantom have flares?
Yes, the F-4 carried the AN/ALE 29 chaff/flare dispenser. It consisted two dispensers, a chaff programmer and a cockpit control unit. Each dispenser of the ALE-29A carried 30 RR-129/RR-144 chaff cartridges or 30 MK46/47 IR decoy flares.
Is the F-4 Phantom still in service?
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….McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II.
| F-4 Phantom II | |
|---|---|
| Retired | 1994 (United Kingdom) 1996 (U.S. combat use) 2013 (Germany) 2016 (U.S. target drone) 2021 (Japan) |
| Status | In limited service |
How did the F-4 Phantom get its name?
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. The US Navy awarded a limited production contract to McDonnell in December 1958. The first Phantom was inducted into service in 1961.
Is the McDonnell F4H-1 Phantom superior to other fighter jets?
When it was introduced into service with the U. S. Navy, the McDonnell F4H-1 Phantom was clearly superior to any fighter then in the Air Force inventory.
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.
Why didn’t the air force buy the Navy’s Phantom?
Only a few years before the Phantom made its first flight, the Air Force looked at Navy fighters as being inferior, so it was inconceivable that the Air Force would ever purchase a Navy aircraft that would eventually become its standard fighter for more than two decades.