McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II
McDonnell Douglas · USA · first flew 1966 · fighter
The F-4J was the definitive US Navy Phantom, introducing a look-down/shoot-down capable radar and the slotted stabilator that became a key identification cue for the variant.
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:
- Slotted stabilator — small notch visible at leading edge of horizontal tail, unique among Phantoms
- Wider AN/AWG-10 pulse-Doppler radar giving a noticeably larger radome chin than F-4B
- No gun fairing under nose; distinguishes it from F-4E while sharing clean-nose profile with F-4B
The slotted stabilator notch is the key micro-cue; combined with the large radome (bigger than F-4B) and absence of the F-4E's chin gun blister, it places the aircraft precisely. Clean nose plus large radar dome plus slotted tail = F-4J.
Specifications
- The McDonnell Douglas F-4J 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 2390 km/h (1485 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First deliveries 1967; 522 built. It replaced the F-4B in frontline Navy squadrons and served through the bulk of the Vietnam air war. Several F-4Js were transferred to the RAF as F-4J(UK) when British Phantoms needed supplementing.
Variants
The F-4S is the upgraded F-4J with smokeless engines and leading-edge slats, serving into the 1980s. The F-4J(UK) served 74 Squadron RAF.
Where you'll see it
US Navy and Marine Corps 1967-1986; F-4J(UK) with RAF 1984-1992. Museum aircraft at Patuxent River NAS and National Naval Aviation Museum Pensacola.
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