The United States Navy flew the F-4 Phantom II in 1958, and the Air Force followed suit with the F-4C in May 1963. And, as history would show, only fathertime could beat this fighter jet.
Phantom II production ended in 1979 after over 5,000 were built—more than 2,600 for the USAF, 1,200 for the US Navy and Marine Corps, and the rest for foreign allies.
It was big and ugly, but it was fast. The F-4 Phantom II was the first US aircraft to fly at Mach 2. It served in Vietnam, the Yom Kippur War, and the Iran-Iraq War.
The F-4 can still be found in small numbers in Iran. It was sold to the Iranians back when the US and Iran were close, in the days of the Shah of Iran.
The F-4C got its baptism of fire in Southeast Asia in 1965, flying air superiority missions against the North Vietnamese and attacking ground targets. Col. Robin Olds, a World War II ace, was the first USAF pilot to score four combat victories with F-4s in Southeast Asia.
Meet The F-4 Phantom II
The F-4 Phantom II established twelve world speed, altitude, and time-to-climb records in 28 months. The F-4 was thrust into an air war in Vietnam that it wasn’t actually designed for, but it performed well.
The Phantom II was powered by two 10,900 lb. static thrust (17,000 lb. with afterburner) General Electric J-79-GE-8 turbojets. The top speed was 1,485 mph at 48,000 feet. The aircraft carried air-to-air missiles and up to 16,000 pounds of ordnance.
A typical F-4C mission carried four AIM-7E, four AIM-9B air-to-air missiles, and eight 750-pound Mk 117 bombs. The aircraft also carries two external fuel tanks on the outboard pylons and one ALQ-87 electronic countermeasures (ECM) pod on the right inboard pylon.
Impressive Combat Record
The F-4 wasn’t designed to be a dogfighter but to use radar and enhanced missile technology to engage and destroy aircraft beyond visual range. Navy and Marine Corps pilots racked up 36 kills, and the Air Force tallied 195 air-to-air kills over what became known as MiG Alley.
However, in Vietnam, the rules of engagement quickly negated the Phantom’s most significant assets while highlighting its biggest weakness.
F-4s were not allowed to engage enemy MiGs until they could be positively identified and showed hostile intent. Then, when the fighting got close, pilots keenly felt the lack of a gun.
Eventually, the Pentagon opted to install 20 mm M61 Vulcan cannons on later variants of the Phantom, such as the F-4E. The kill ratio climbed much higher when the MiGs were forced to dogfight at close range due to the Vulcan.
The Phantom proved an excellent fighter and bomber, fulfilling the multi-role quite well. They were tough and able to withstand the worst of the Russian and Chinese anti-aircraft systems given to the North Vietnamese.
Yom Kippur War
When the Israeli Air Force received F-4 Phantom jets from the US in the late 1960s, it was the first time that Israel had received advanced weapons from the US. The first fifty F-4E Phantoms entered the service in 1969.
A right rear view of two RF-4B Phantom II aircraft of Marine Photo Reconnaissance Squadron Three (VMFP-3) over El Toro Marine Corps Air Station during a training mission.
F-4 Phantom. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
They were delivered despite the Pentagon’s evaluation that the sale would harm U.S.-Arab relations and against the prospect of a U.S.-Soviet agreement to limit arms sales to the region.
The IAF used the aerial “bear trap” created by the Phantom fleet in its Operation Rimon 2.0, which remains one of the defining strategies of Israel’s military history.
Four armed French-designed Mirage III jets commenced a reconnaissance mission during this operation. At the same time, other Mirages flew alongside a fleet of Phantoms, roaming undetected along the Sinai border. When the Soviet jets assisting the Egyptians took the bait, they were attacked by the Phantoms firing from below.
When Egypt launched its surprise attack against Israel in the Yom Kippur War, more than 200 aircraft were used in the opening strike of the war. In response, the IAF quickly rallied a pair of F-4 Phantoms to respond, not realizing the extent of the initial attack. The two F-4s shot down seven Egyptian-flown MiGs in just a few minutes, forcing the remaining Egyptian jets to disengage.
The F-4 Phantom was beloved by the pilots who flew it. What it lacked in maneuverability, it more than made up for in speed, rate of climb, and the amount of ordnance it could carry. It is an icon of American aviation.
F-4E. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
A U.S. Navy McDonnell F-4N Phantom II (BuNo 151491) of Fighter Squadron VF-161 “Chargers” in flight. 151491 was assigned to VF-161, Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW-5), aboard the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CV-41) from 1973 to 1977. It was retired to the MASDC as 8F0077 on 3 November 1977.
About the Author and Expertise:
Steve Balestrieri is a 19FortyFive National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing for 19FortyFive, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
