Type: two-seat carrier-borne interceptor
Bureau Number: 153077
Powerplant: two 79.65-kN (17,920-lb-thrust) General Electric J79-8A afterburning turbojets
Maximum speed: 2390 km/h (1485 mph)
Combat radius: 1450 km (900 miles)
Range: 3700 km (2294 miles)
Service ceiling: 21,640 m (71,000 ft)
Weights: empty 12,701 kg (27,942 lb); maximum take-off 24,766 kg (54,485 lb)
Armament: four AIM-7 Sparrow medium-range and four AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles, plus various air-to-ground stores
Dimensions:
Span: 11.71 m (38 ft 5 in)
Length: 17.75 m (58 ft 3 in)
Height: 4.95 m (16 ft 3 in)
Wing Area: 49.24 m2 (530 sq ft)
The "Phabulous Phantom" remains one of the most imposing fighters ever developed by the United States. First used in 1960 by the Navy as a carrier based fighter-bomber, Phantom would also become a workhorse for the Marines and Air Force during the Vietnam War and would play a significant role in Operation Desert Storm before its retirement in 1996. In combat the F-4 held a superior advantage in thrust and was capable of reaching 1,485 mph with a climb rate of approximately 41,000 feet per minute! Phantom could carry more than 16,000 pounds of ordinance that included Sparrow and Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. Ultimately, Phantom was responsible for a record 280 air to air victories, the vast majority of them in the skies over Vietnam. The F-4 would earn several nicknames but its domination of Soviet-built MiG fighters during the Vietnam War would lead to the phrase, "World's Leading Distributor of MiG Parts".
Showtime 100
In the Vietnam War, many superb American aviators challenged North Vietnamese MiG pilots while exposed to the dangers of enemy ground fire. But the story of one F-4 Phantom crew that went by the radio call "Showtime 100" holds legendary status. "Showtime 100" was piloted by Navy Lt. Randy "Duke" Cunningham and in the second seat, his Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) Lt. Willie Driscoll. During vicious dog fighting over North Vietnam on May 10, 1972 "Showtime 100" shot down three MiG fighters. Combined with two earlier kills, Cunningham and Driscoll had downed five enemy aircraft in four months, becoming the first aces of the war. But the day nearly ended in tragedy. Moments after shooting down the third MiG, "Showtime 100" was hit by an enemy surface to air missile, seriously damaging the F-4. Rapidly losing speed and altitude, Cunningham and Driscoll knew their best chance of avoiding capture was to reach the South China Sea where they would be rescued. With their aircraft on fire the only way to maintain control of the crippled Phantom was to fly upside down to the water where Cunningham and Driscoll safely ejected.
Back to Planes & Flight Deck
|
|
Search
Facts & Information
The F/A-18 Hornet is the most recent addition to the Patriots Point collection of aircraft.
|
