McDonnell-Douglas (McDonnell) F4H/F-4 Phantom II
The Phantom II is considered as one of the most iconic jet fighters ever. Being developed in the 1950s, the 'phabulous' F-4 still continues to be a frontline fighter in several countries. It started its life as the McDonnell F4H. As you can judge by the designation it was destined for the United States Navy. In 1962 it was re-designated F-4.
The Phantom II is a twin engine two crew jet aircraft. The intakes at the side of the fuselage, just behind the canopy, are long and narrow. The exhausts are below the rear fuselage, in front of the tail. These are the first key recognition points. The wings have a cropped delta shape. The outer wings have a dihedral, while the inner wings have none. Where the outer wing join the inner ones, the leading edge has a saw tooth. This is another key feature of the F-4. The third main characteristic are the horizontal stabilisers with significant anhedral, so they are pointing down. Other features of the aircraft are the trapezium (chopped triangular) vertical stabiliser, single wheel main landing gears and a rearward retracting double wheel nose gear. All in all an aircraft easy to distinguish form others!
The outer wings of the F-4 have dihedral, so they are pointing up. This is one of the main characteristics of the fighter, as there are no similar aircraft with such a feature.
The F-4 also has a typical rear: the combination of horizontal stabilisers with significant anhedral attached to the rear fuselage and exhausts in front of them is unique.
The air intakes of the Phantom have a very long D shape. In front are variable geometry ramps to regulate the amount and speed of the air flowing to the engine.
Different versions
The different versions of the F-4 Phantom II are characterised by:
- the shape of the nose
- the presence of a cannon
- the shape of the exhausts
Details will follow later.
Confusion possible with
McDonnell F-101 Voodoo
The F-101 Voodoo has quite some elements in common with the F-4 Phantom II. The tandem cockit, twin wheel nose gear and two exhausts under the rear fuselage are main examples. The F-101 has triangular air intakes though, and a (near) T-tail.
McDonnell F-3/F3H Demon
The predecessor of the F-4 also looks in some ways similar. In particular the location of the exhaust, under the rear fuselage and in fron tof the tail, is an example. The F3H has a single engine though, a single wheel nose gear, with with constant dihedral and no anhedral on the horizontal stabilisers.