Fabulous Phantom Pt II

In part two of this feature, Eric Allen traces the evolution of one of the most successful combat aircraft of this century.

In terms of importance, number of aircraft produced, acceptance amongst other air forces and general overall performance, the next version was truly outstanding. This was the F-4E, one of the best fighters to enter production in the last two decades. In June 1965 McDonnell commenced design studies for a version of the Phantom to be fitted with a built-in cannon. The problem was where to put the cannon as the existing airframe was already packed to capacity. A modified nose section was put on the first YRF-4C. In this experiment, a single 20 mm M-61A 1 rotary cannon was housed in a faired pod under the new nose. A new smaller improved version of the APQ-120 radar was repacked in the nose which gave the desired recontouring necessary to accommodate the cannon. To balance the extra weight carried in the nose an additional fuel tank was installed in the rear fuselage near the base of the leading edge of the vertical fin.

The YF-4E took to the air for the first time on 7 August 1965 and the first production F-4E subsequently made its initial flight on 30 June 1967. First delivery to TAC, Nellis Air Force Base followed not long after on 3 October 1967.

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