McDonnell Douglas F-4C Phantom II Aircraft Data
Photo ID 2158 by Ted Miley. USA Air Force McDonnell Douglas F 4C Phantom II, 63 7471
Two-seat, all weather interceptor and ground attack aircraft.

The F-4C was the USAF's initial version of the Phantom II, being previously known as the F-110 "Spectre". The type was the main player for the USAF Phantom-fleet in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam war. Supplanted by the F-4D, the USAF fielded 16 squadrons of Phantoms, many of which, were lost in combat. The USAF lost a total of 528 F-4/RF-4 models before war's end. The last F-4C/D models were retired from USAF ANG service in 1990.

Several USAF pilots became aces in the F-4C, over the skies of Vietnam. The lack of an internal gun in the F-4C was seen as a liability, and was corrected in the F-4E. The standard missile armament, pioneered on the F-4C was retained on the F-4E and later F-15A "Eagle".

The Fuerza Aerea Espaniola (Spain) was the only foreign operator of the F-4C, though many other nations operated later variants of the F-4. Spain's F-4C's were replaced by the EF-18A "Hornet" and the USAF's fleet was replaced, largely, by the F-16 "Fighting Falcon".
  • Country of Origin: United States
  • First Flight: 5/27/63
  • Initial Service Date: 11/1/63
  • No. Built: 583
  • No. In Service: 0
  • No. of Hardpoints: 9
  • Crew: 2

Power:

2 x General Electric J-79-GE-15 afterburning turbojets at 17,000 lbf

Weapons:

4 x AIM-7 Sparrow BVR AAM's
4 x AIM-9 Sidewinder AAM's
1 X SUU-23/A 20mm. Gunpod (The F-4C/D carried no internal gun)
6 x Mk.82/84 bombs

Dimensions:

Length: 58 ft. 3 in.
Wing Span: 38 ft. 5 in.
Wing Area: 530 sq.ft
Height: 16 ft. 6 in.
Empty Weight: 28,496 lbs
Max. Weight: 58,000 lbs
Max. Ordnance Load: 16,000 lbs
Internal Fuel: 13,539 lbs

Performance:

Max. Speed: 1,400 mph
Cruise Speed: 585 mph
Service Ceiling: 59,600 ft.
Normal Range: 700 nm
Max. Range: 1,528 nm

Operators:

Spain (Air Force, 40, r. 1989), United States (Air Force, 583, r. 1988)

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Photo ID 49268 by David F. Brown. USA Air Force McDonnell Douglas F 4C Phantom II, 63 7574
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