The McDonnell Douglas F4 Phantom II, arguably one of the most popular fighters in post-World War II period, started life in the 1950s as a replacement for the F3H Demon with four 20mm cannons. However, it soon evolved into a gunless all-weather interceptor with missiles. It entered service in February 1960 as the F4A, followed in 1961 with the F4B, and then modified again as the F4C. A total of 635 F4Cs were built, equipping 16 of 23 tactical air wings.
The F4D received a bombing system upgrade and deliveries began in March 1966, with 793 built for the USAF, 32 sold to Iran in 1969, and 18 sold to the Republic of Korea in 1972.
The F4E included an internal 20mm cannon, a better bombing system, and additional fuel tank. McDonnell Douglas produced 1329 F4Es for the USAF and 204 for the Israeli Air Force. The F4E(J) model was a licensed version produced by the Japanese, with 139 in total with the last delivered in May 1981.
Germany took delivery of 175 F4F aircraft in 1975-1976, with improved low-speed maneuvering features.
The company adapted the F4E for radar suppression after too many losses from SAMs in Vietnam, which were called the F4G, primarily with newer avoinics and ECM systems.
F4E Specifications
- Powerplants: two 17,900 lb GE J79-GE-17 turbojets
Maximum speed: 1485mph
Ceiling: 60,000 ft.
Range: 1750 miles with no load
Bomb Load: 12,980 lb
Weight (empty): 28,000 lb.
Weight (max): 58,000 lb
Span: 38 ft. 5 in.
Length: 58 ft. 3 in.
Height: 16 ft. 3 in.
Armament: one 20mm M61A1 Vulcan cannon, four AIM-7 Sparrow recessed under fuselage, four wing pylons for two AIM-7, four AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, or other ordnance (fuel tanks, bombs, etc).
Info from: Attack and Interceptor Jets by Michael Sharpe, 1999, ISBN: 1-58663-301-5, page 169-176.
The North American F-86F Sabre was an upgraded version of the F84E, with the first F86Fs arriving in Korea in early 1953 at the 8th and 18th Fighter Bomber Wings. With superior pilot training, the jet flew brilliantly against MiG-15s, though marginally inferior in performance.
Total production was 1,079, and from 1954 on, many were destined for US allies under the Military Aid Program.
F86F Specifications
- Powerplants: one 5970 lb GE J47-GE-27 turbojet
Maximum speed: 678mph
Ceiling: 50,000 ft.
Range: 835 miles
Bomb Load: 1,000 lb plus eight rockets
Weight (empty): 11,125 lb.
Weight (max): 20,611 lb
Span: 37 ft. 1 in.
Length: 37 ft. 6 in.
Height: 14 ft. 9 in.
Armament: six 50 cal. MGs, plus external racks.
Info from: Attack and Interceptor Jets by Michael Sharpe, 1999, ISBN: 1-58663-301-5, page 220.
Trio
A trio of jets, of which I believe that the one at left is a F-100, the center one that you can see in a full side view is a F-105, and the third hiding behind the other two is the F4.
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