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McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II facts for kids

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USAF F-4E from 347th Tactical Fighter Wing dropping 500-pound bombs.

The F-4 Phantom II was a very famous American fighter-bomber aircraft. It was designed to both fight other planes and drop bombs. This powerful plane was first flown in 1958 and officially introduced in 1960.

The F-4 Phantom II was mainly used during the Vietnam War. It could carry many weapons, including four AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles and four long-range AIM-7 Sparrow missiles. Early models did not have a built-in gun. However, later versions, like the F-4E, were equipped with a powerful cannon. After newer planes like the F-15 Eagle took over its main fighter role, the F-4 Phantom II continued to be used as a bomber. A special version, the F-4G, was even used for "Wild Weasel" missions, which involved finding and destroying enemy radar systems.

What Was the F-4 Phantom II?

The F-4 Phantom II was a supersonic jet. This means it could fly faster than the speed of sound! It was built by McDonnell Aircraft. This company later became McDonnell Douglas. The F-4 was one of the most important military planes for several decades.

How Was the F-4 Phantom II Used?

The F-4 Phantom II was a versatile aircraft. It could perform many different tasks. It was used by the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force. Many other countries also used the F-4.

Fighter Missions

As a fighter, the F-4 Phantom II was designed to battle other aircraft in the sky. It was very fast and could carry many missiles. Pilots used it to protect other planes and attack enemy fighters.

Bomber Missions

The F-4 Phantom II was also excellent at dropping bombs. It could carry a large amount of bombs. This made it very useful for attacking targets on the ground. It played a big role in many conflicts.

Special Missions

Some F-4 Phantom II planes were changed for special jobs. The RF-4C was a reconnaissance version. It carried cameras instead of weapons to take pictures of enemy areas. The F-4G "Wild Weasel" was another special version. It was designed to find and destroy enemy air defenses.

Who Used the F-4 Phantom II?

The F-4 Phantom II was used by many air forces around the world. It was a very popular plane. Its design allowed it to be adapted for different needs.

United States Military Use

The U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force all flew the F-4. It was a backbone of their air power for many years. It served in the Vietnam War and other conflicts.

International Use

Many other countries bought and used the F-4 Phantom II. These included the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Israel, and Turkey. Each country often adapted the plane slightly for their own needs. This shows how successful and reliable the F-4 design was.

Legacy of the F-4 Phantom II

The F-4 Phantom II is one of the most famous military aircraft ever built. It was produced for a long time. It also set many flight records. Even though it's an older plane, it's still remembered as a true aviation legend.

Retirement and Continued Service

Most F-4 Phantom II planes have now been retired from active combat. However, some are still used for training. Others are used as target drones. This means they are flown remotely for other planes to practice shooting at.

Related pages

Images for kids

  • McDonnell F3H-G mockup in 1954

    The McDonnell F3H-G/H mockup, 1954

  • F4h-1 leadership

    Key figures in the F-4 development: David Lewis, Robert Little, and Herman Barkey

  • McDonnell F4H-1F Phantom II aboard USS Independence (CVA-62), in 1960

    An F4H-1F aboard Independence, April 1960

  • F-4B VF-74 taking off 1961

    VF-74 was the first operational U.S. Navy Phantom squadron in 1961

  • A3D-2 refueling F4H-1F during Project LANA 1961

    Transcontinental "Operation LANA" in 1961

  • Cabinacaza

    Cockpit of F-4 Phantom II

  • F-4Ds 435th TFS over Vietnam

    435th TFS F-4Ds over Vietnam

  • Destroyed US RF-4C Phantom II

    USAF F-4 Phantom II destroyed on 18 February 1968, during the enemy attack against Tan Son Nhut, during the Tet Offensive

  • F-4Gs over Bahrain during Desert Shield

    F-4Gs over Bahrain during Operation Desert Shield

  • F-4B VF-111 dropping bombs on Vietnam

    A U.S. Navy F-4B from VF-111 dropping bombs over Vietnam, 25 November 1971

  • Blue Angels F-4J Phantoms formation from below 1969

    The Blue Angels flew the F-4J, 1969–1974

  • F-4B VMFA-314 1968

    A U.S. Marine F-4B with VMFA-314, flies over South Vietnam in September 1968

  • F-4E Egypt 347TFW

    Egyptian Air Force F-4E Phantom IIs of the 222nd Tactical Fighter Brigade in formation with a U.S. Air Force 347th Tactical Fighter Wing F-4E Phantom II during exercise Proud Phantom

  • McD RF-4E 3554 AKG52 GC 25.06.77 edited-3

    McDonnell RF-4E Phantom II of the Luftwaffe's AKG52 unit in 1977

  • Greek phantom 7487 lands arp

    Hellenic Air Force RF-4E Phantom II in a special color scheme, lands at RIAT 2008, UK

  • Irani F-4 Phantom II refueling through a boom

    Iranian F-4E Phantom refueling through a boom during Iran-Iraq war, 1982

  • F-4E GivatOlga 081014 03

    An Israeli F-4E on static display in the Olga's Hill neighborhood of Hadera, Israel

  • JASDF F-4 Phantoms

    JASDF F-4EJ Kais (57-8354 and 87-8407) of 8 Hikōtai in grey air superiority paint scheme, 2002

  • F-4E South Korea 1979

    South Korean F-4E, armed with an AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missile, 19 February 1979

  • Turkish Air Force F4E Phantom II MOD 45157794

    A Turkish Air Force F-4E Phantom II aircraft armed with Popeye missiles takes off from Third Air Force Base Konya, Turkey, during Exercise Anatolian Eagle.

  • F-4J F-4K CV-62 NAN6-75

    An F-4J of the U.S. Navy (foreground), alongside an F-4K of the Fleet Air Arm (background) wait to be catapulted from USS Independence, March 1975; one of the major differences can be seen by the higher degree of the British aircraft's extendable nose wheel. Both variants were eventually used by the RAF

  • F-4 Phantom II Collings Foundation

    The Collings Foundation F-4D Phantom II, with Vietnam-era "Ritchie/DeBellevue" markings, taxis at Selfridge ANGB, May 2005

  • QF-4

    QF-4E AF Serial No. 74-1626 at McGuire AFB in May 2007 with an A-10 in the background

  • F-4Fs JG74 1998

    F-4Fs of the German Air Force, 21 January 1998

  • A formation of IRIAF F-4s over Bushehr

    Iranian F-4Es, 2009

  • McDonnell RF-4C Phantom II, Spain - Air Force AN1337858

    Spanish Air Force RF-4C Phantom II, 15 June 1993

  • F-4E Phantom out of RAAF Amberly at Pearce ADEX March 1971

    A RAAF F-4E Phantom II at RAAF Base Pearce in 1971

  • Spook 1000

    The Spook

  • McDONNELL DOUGLAS F-4 PHANTOM II

    3-side view of the F-4E/F

  • McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II with "Spook" image (3622219586)

    Structural view of partially disassembled German F-4 Phantoms.

  • RF-4B Phantom VMFP-3 El Toro 1982

    A U.S. Marine Corps RF-4B in September 1982

  • F-4J VF-96 Showtime 100 armed from below

    VF-96 F-4J "Showtime 100" armed with Sidewinder and Sparrow missiles, 9 February 1972

See also

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