Why did the F4 Phantom not have a gun?

At the time the F4 phantom was put into service it was thought that low speed close in dogfighting was basically obsolete. Pretty much all kills would be made with heat seeking or radar guided air to air missiles from miles away. Therefore the original F4 design never had a machine gun type weapon.

What was bad about the F-4 Phantom?

According John Chesire, F-4 US Navy combat pilot during the Vietnam War, the mighty Phantom was nearly a perfect machine. ‘Nothing was “bad” about the F-4 Phantom! Only three things as I recall were regrettable… Its excessive engine smoke, its wide turning radius, and its lack of a gun.

When did the F-4 get a gun?

The F-4D model, with major changes that increase accuracy in weapons delivery, was delivered to the Air Force in March 1966, to the Air National Guard in 1977, and to the Air Force Reserve in 1980. The first F-4E was delivered to the Air Force in October 1967.

Who designed the F4 Phantom?

David S. Lewis
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II/Designers

What is the top speed of an F-4 Phantom?

1,473 mph
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II/Top speed

How many f4 Phantoms were lost in Vietnam?

When combined with U.S. Navy and Marine Corps losses of 233 Phantoms, 761 F-4/RF-4 Phantoms were lost in the Vietnam War. On 28 August 1972, Captain Steve Ritchie became the first USAF ace of the war.

How fast was an F-4 Phantom?

Did the f4 Phantom have flares?

Yes, the F-4 carried the AN/ALE 29 chaff/flare dispenser. It consisted two dispensers, a chaff programmer and a cockpit control unit. Each dispenser of the ALE-29A carried 30 RR-129/RR-144 chaff cartridges or 30 MK46/47 IR decoy flares.

Did the F-4 Phantom have guns?

Early F-4’s had no fixed gun, but this was corrected after combat experience in Vietnam showed the need for one. Over 5000 were built, making the F-4 one of the most numerous modern combat aircraft. Many are still in service.

Did the F-4 Phantom have flares?

What type of aircraft is the F-4 Phantom II?

McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engine, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor and fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft.

How many F-4 Phantoms were lost in Vietnam?

When combined with U.S. Navy and Marine Corps losses of 233 Phantoms, 761 F-4/RF-4 Phantoms were lost in the Vietnam War. [66] On 28 August 1972, Captain Steve Ritchie became the first USAF ace of the war. [8]

How many F-4s were made for the US military?

Of these, 2,874 went to the USAF, 1,264 to the Navy and Marine Corps, and the rest to foreign customers. The last U.S.-built F-4 went to South Korea, while the last F-4 built was an F-4EJ built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan and delivered on 20 May 1981.

What was the original name of the McDonnell Douglas Phantom II?

In the end, the aircraft was given the less controversial name “Phantom II”, the first “Phantom” being another McDonnell jet fighter, the FH-1 Phantom. The Phantom II was briefly given the designation F-110A and the name “Spectre” by the USAF, but neither name was officially used.