McDonnell Douglas F-4B Phantom II
McDonnell Douglas · USA · first flew 1961 · fighter
The F-4B was the primary US Navy fleet-defence Phantom of the early Vietnam era, optimised for the pure missile intercept doctrine of the late 1950s. It carried no gun and relied entirely on AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 17.76 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- AN/APQ-72 radar with relatively small radome — nose slightly less bulbous than F-4E
- No gun pod or internal cannon; pure missile armament
- Four underwing pylons with lower-profile fairings than later marks; slatless leading edge
Compared with the F-4E, the F-4B lacks the distinctive chin gun bulge under the nose and has a slightly smaller radome. The leading edge of the wing is smooth (no slats). Compared with the F-4J, the radar and avionics fairings are less developed. The classic anhedral tailplane and dihedral outer wings apply to all Phantoms.
Specifications
- The McDonnell Douglas F-4B Phantom II has a length of 17.76 m (58 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.77 m (39 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 2370 km/h (1473 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First fleet deliveries 1961 to VF-74 and VF-114; the F-4B equipped most Navy and Marine fighter squadrons through the mid-Vietnam period. Over 650 built. Combat in Southeast Asia exposed the gun gap that led directly to the F-4E's cannon.
Variants
Preceded by the F4H-1 (redesignated F-4A). The F-4B was updated to F-4N standard in the 1970s with improved avionics and smokeless engines.
Where you'll see it
US Navy and Marine Corps 1961-1974 in front-line service; F-4Ns served into the early 1980s. Static examples at NAS Pensacola and various US naval air museums.
Related aircraft
- F-4B / F-4C Phantom II
- McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom II
- Douglas EC-24A
- F-4 Phantom II
- Canadair CF-104D
- HAL HF-24 Marut
- Tu-128 Fiddler
- Tupolev Tu-128P
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