McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom II
McDonnell Douglas · USA · first flew 1963 · reconnaissance aircraft
The RF-4C is the USAF dedicated tactical reconnaissance Phantom, identifiable by its long camera nose that replaces the radar and gun of the fighter variants. It is the longest-nosed Phantom mark.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 19.17 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Elongated, camera-equipped nose — longer and more tapered than any fighter Phantom mark
- No gun, no Sparrow missile wells; clean underside without weapons recesses
- Camera windows visible under nose chin — three-station arrangement of forward, side-oblique, and vertical sensors
The long, tapered reconnaissance nose with no gun fairing is unmistakeable among Phantoms. Look for camera windows on the lower nose and the absence of any ventral missile semi-recesses. No other USAF Phantom has this profile. Against the RF-4B (Marines), US Air Force markings apply.
Specifications
- The McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom II has a length of 19.17 m (63 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 flight 1963; 505 built for the USAF. It replaced the RF-101 Voodoo in the tactical reconnaissance role and flew intensively in Vietnam, delivering film intelligence from low-level sorties. Operated by Air National Guard units through the 1990s.
Variants
The RF-4B is the US Marine Corps equivalent; the RF-4E is the export version for Germany, Israel, Japan, Turkey, and Greece.
Where you'll see it
USAF TAC and Air National Guard 1964-1995; export users into the 2000s (Spain retired theirs 2002). Static example at Langley AFB and Wright-Patterson AFB.
Related aircraft
- F-4B / F-4C Phantom II
- McDonnell Douglas DC-9
- McDonnell Douglas F-4B Phantom II
- McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II FG.1
- Lavochkin La-17
- Northrop QT-39A Talon
- Lockheed D-21
- Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird
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