McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II (In Air National Guard Configuration)

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This suggestion was revised and reposted from my original suggestion in old forums.

McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II

   Hello everybody. I’d like to re-introduce and suggest the McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II, a second version of the F-4 that entered the United States Air Force service. To put it briefly, it is a modified F-4C with enhanced avionics and access to advanced missiles and countermeasures during its late service. It is known for using AIM-4D Falcons to score five confirmed kills.


Key Characteristics

  • Fighter-Bomber / Interceptor / Jet Fighter
  • Modified F-4C with newer avionics
  • Second most produced variant in the F-4 Phantom II family
  • New AN/APQ-109A capable of guiding AGM-62 Walleyes and AGM-65 Mavericks with TV imagery
  • Access to new AIM-4D Falcon missiles
  • Capable of equipping newer missiles such as AIM-9J and AIM-7E-2
  • Capable of equipping countermeasures whereas the F-4C lacked it

History

Design and Development

The McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II is the second version of the F-4 to enter the United States Air Force service. The F-4D was designed to respond to USAF requirements to deliver air-to-ground weapons with high accuracy during the Vietnam War, whereas the F-4C lacked modern avionics for its ground-attack capabilities.

The F-4D shares the same engines and basic airframe as the F-4C; however, the primary difference is found in avionics. the F-4D’s newer avionics has improved air-to-ground and air-to-air capabilities.

An APQ-100 radar from the F-4C was replaced with a smaller and lighter AN/APQ-109A for the F-4D. The AN/APQ-109A can broadcast and guide the TV imagery weapons such as AGM-62 Walleyes.

An AJB-7 all-altitude bomb delivery system was installed, allowing the F-4D to use the ASQ-91 weapons release computer to deliver the laser-guided bombs more accurately. The F-4C’s fixed gun sight was replaced with an AN/ASG-22 leading computer to be installed in the F-4D, improving its air-to-air combat effectiveness.

Air-to-air combat experience and lessons during the Vietnam War had shown the need for an improved 20mm cannon pod to replace the flawed SUU-16/A, equipped by the F-4Cs; the F-4D was wired to acquire the upgraded SUU-23/A cannon pod. The F-4D’s ASG-22 leading computer gun sight allows it to aim with SUU-23/A pods at high accuracy.

During early production, the F-4Ds omitted its sidewinder capability on the inboard underwing pylon in favor of the Hughes AIM-4D Falcon infrared-homing missiles. The undernose pod for the AAA-4 infrared search and track was removed, only reverting in the late production.

A total of 825 F-4Ds was produced at the end of production, making it the second most produced F-4 variant.

Operational Service

The first flight of the F-4D was completed in June-December 1965, only two years after the F-4C made its first flight in May-November 1963. The F-4Ds officially entered USAF service and replaced the F-4Cs during the spring of 1967. The F-4D was also the only variant that scored five confirmed kills with AIM-4 Falcon missiles, shot down four MiG-17s and one MiG-21.

Despite this, the AIM-4 Falcon was ineffective against high-maneuverable enemy fighter aircraft in dogfights. Thus, the weapon was very unpopular with pilots of the F-4D, and even Colonel Robin Olds, a commander in the F-4D, was highly critical of it. Following Olds’ criticism, the USAF eventually restored the Sidewinder capability on the F-4D’s inboard underwing pylons under the “Rivet Haste” program.

Nevertheless, the F-4D variant had historically scored 44.5 confirmed kills during the Vietnam War, beating the F-4C variant with 42 kills and the F-4E variant with 21 kills.

Known U.S. Air Force F-4D aerial combat kills

Aircraft Weaponry Aircraft Shot Down Squadron
F-4D AIM-4D 4 MiG-17s, 1 MiG-21 13th TFS, 435th TFS
F-4D AIM-7E 4 MiG-17s, 2 MiG-21s 433rd TFS, 435th TFS, 555th TFS
F-4D AIM-7E-2 18 MiG-21s, 3 MiG-19s 4th TFS, 13th TFS, 34th TFS, 523rd TFS, 555th TFS
F-4D AIM-9E 2 MiG-21s 13th TFS, 469th TFS
F-4D AIM-9J 2 MiG-21s, 1 MiG-19s 523rd TFS, 555th TFS

Air National Guard Service

After the Vietnam War, the F-4Ds were transferred into the inventory of the Air National Guard in the late 1970s and early 1980s. They remained in service as fighter interceptors for national defense purposes. They were ultimately retired from the service and replaced by ANG F-16A/Bs in the early 1990s.


Foreign Service

Iran placed an order for new F-4Ds for its air force in 1967. Only 32 F-4Ds were sold and delivered to the Imperial Iranian Air Force in Iran by the end of 1969. Today, a few of Iran’s F-4Ds remain in service; however, they are mostly grounded due to the lack of spare parts and are no longer serviceable due to the sanctions placed by the USA.

South Korea also expressed an interest in ordering 18 F-4Ds in 1968. At least 42 ex-USAF F-4Ds were sold and transferred to South Korea, and the last F-4D was delivered to South Korea in 1988. Afterward, the Republic of Korea Air Force F-4Ds were replaced by the Boeing F-15K “Slam Eagle.”


Specifications

McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II

General Characteristics

  • Crew: 2 (Pilot and Weapon Systems Officer)
  • Length: 58 ft 2.4 in (17.74 m)
  • Height: 16 ft 5 in (5.00 m)
  • Wingspan, spread: 38 ft 5 in (11.71 m)
  • Wingspan, folded: 27 ft 7 in (8.41 m)
  • Wing Area: 530 ft sq (49.24 sq m)
  • Powerplant: 2 x General Electric J79-GE-15 afterburning turbojet engines
    → 34,000 lbf (151 kN) thrust A/B @ sea level
    → 21,800 lbf (97 kN) thrust dry @ sea level
  • Internal Fuel: 1,889 US Gal. (7,150 L)
  • External Fuel: 1,340 US Gal. (5,072 L) with three drop tanks
  • Oil Tankage: 10.3 US Gal. (39 L)
  • Empty Weight: 29,873 lb (13,550 kg)
  • Combat Weight: 38,781 lb (17,590 kg)
  • Maximum Takeoff Weight: 59,380 lb (26,934 kg)

Powerplant Ratings

  • Maximum (A/B):

    → 17,000 lbf (75.6 kN) each @ 7,685 rpm @ sea level

  • Military:

    → 10,900 lbf (48.5 kN) each @ 7,685 RPM @ sea level

  • Normal:

    → 10,300 lbf (45.8 kN) each @ 7,385 RPM @ sea level

Performance w/ (4) AIM-7 + (1) 600 + (2) 370 Gal. Tanks

  • Thrust-to-Weight Ratio: 0.88
  • Sea Level Max. Speed: 826 mph (1,329 km/h)
  • Combat Altitude Speed: 1,467 mph @ 40,000 ft (2,361 km/h @ 12,802 m)
  • Stall Speed: 168 mph (271 km/h)
  • Wing Loading: 73.2 lb/sq ft (357.4 kg/sq m)
  • Takeoff Distance: 3,050 ft (929 m)
  • Rate of Climb: 49,000 fpm (249 m/s)
  • Service Ceiling: 59,650 ft (18,181 m)
  • Combat Radius: 494 miles (795 km/h)

Weapons System

  • Avionics:

    • AN/APQ-109A (Radar Set)
    • AN/APA-165 (Intercept Computer)
    • AN/ASG-22 (Optical Sight)
    • AN/ASN-63 (Inertial Navigation)
    • AN/AAN-46A (Navigation Computer)
    • AN/ASQ-91 (Weapons Release Computer)
    • AN/ALR-26 or AN/ALR-27 (Radar Warning Receiver)
    • AN/ALQ-109 (Jammer)
    • AN/APS-107A (RHAWS)
  • Countermeasures:

    • ALE-38 Chaff Dispensers
    • AN/ALE-40 Chaff/Flare Dispensers
    • AN/ALQ-131(V) Electronic Countermeasures Pod
  • Targeting Pods:

    • Pave Knife Laser Designator Pod
    • Pave Spike Laser Designator Pod
  • Gunpods:

    • 7.62x51-mm SUU-11/A (15x)
    • 20-mm SUU-16/A (5x)
    • 20-mm SUU-23/A (3x)
  • Air-to-Air Missiles:

    • AIM-4D Falcon (4x)
    • AIM-7D Sparrow (4x)
    • AIM-7E Sparrow (4x)
    • AIM-7E-2 Sparrow (4x)
    • AIM-9B Sidewinder (4x)
    • AIM-9E Sidewinder (4x)
    • AIM-9J Sidewinder (4x)
  • Air-to-Ground Low-Drag Bombs:

    • MK 81 (24 x 250 lb)
    • MK 82 (24 x 500 lb)
    • MK 83 (11 x 1000 lb)
    • MK 84 (3 x 2000 lb)
    • M117 (17 x 750 lb)
    • M118 (1 x 3000 lb)
  • Incendiary Bombs:

    • BLU-1 (11x)
    • BLU-27 (4x)
  • Air-to-Ground High-Drag Bombs:

    • MK 81 (24 x 250 lb) Snakeye
    • MK 82 (24 x 500 lb) Snakeye
  • Laser Guided Bombs:

    • GBU-10C/B (2x)
  • Rockets:

    • Zuni 5-inch (127-mm) LAU-10
    • 19-Tube 2.75-inch (70-mm) LAU-3/A
    • 7-Tube 2.75-inch (70-mm) LAU-32
  • Air-to-Ground Guided Missiles:

    • AGM-12B Bullpup (4x)
    • AGM-12C Bullpup (2x)
    • AGM-12E Bullpup (2x)
    • AGM-45 Shrike (4x)
    • Guided Weapon Mk 1 Mod 0 (4 x AGM-62A Walleyes)
    • AGM-65A Maverick (6x)
  • Fuel Tanks:

    • 600-gal centerline tank (1x)
    • 370-gal wing tank (2x)

Diagrams

2-side view of the F-4D


Cockpit


AN/APQ-109A Radar


Air National Guard F-4D and Upgrades

   Below are photographs of Air National Guard F-4Ds with AIM-9J missiles and countermeasure dispensers. We can see serial numbers on these aircraft, confirming these F-4Ds had received such configuration in ANG service.

  

Images

136th Fighter Interceptor Squadron - McDonnell F-4D-29-MC Phantom 66-7491. Photo https://commons.wikimedia.org.

McDonnell F-4D-31-MC 66-7668 194-FIS 144-FIS California ANG Feb 198 -by Carrl E. Porter. Photo credited to www.thisdayinaviation.com.

  


F-4D Livery Examples

   If F-4D Phantom II is to be added to War Thunder, it should have a list of unlock-able skins, such as the SEA scheme, Colonel Robin Olds’ F-4D, several ANG schemes, the Iranian Air Force scheme, and the Republic of Korea Air Force scheme. Below are photographs as examples of various liveries.

  

SEA Scheme

Of the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Woodbridge. This aircraft ended it's days at AMARC. Photo credited to https://commons.wikimedia.org.

  

Colonel Robin Olds' F-4D

  

European One Scheme

184th Tactical Fighter Group - McDonnell F-4D-31 MC Phantom 66-7735. Photo credited to https://commons.wikimedia.org.

  

Air National Guard (Light Gray) Scheme

1980 CA, MN, and ND ANG F-4D Phantoms. Photo credited to https://commons.wikimedia.org.

  

Two-Tone Gray Scheme

  

Iranian Air Force Scheme

  

Republic of Korea Air Force Scheme

  


Conclusion | Why it should be in the game

   The McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II is another variant of the F-4 Phantom II that offers more modern avionics and weaponry over the F-4C. The F-4D variant would be a logical addition to a folder with the F-4C in the US aviation tech tree. The F-4D will enjoy many advantages over the F-4C, as it can get flares and AIM-9J and AIM-7E-2, whereas the F-4C struggles with its lack of countermeasures and subpar missiles. I firmly believe the F-4D deserves its place in War Thunder and completes the Phantom family in War Thunder.


Sources


Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃

14 Likes

I 'd love to see this variant of the Phantom ingame but also the G '“Wild Weasel” !

4 Likes

too many f-4 version bruh… no more i need smth new not the same thing that make me should download more without enjoy it

Heck yes, +1. Put it into a folder so it doesn’t bother the top tier rushers and bam, another nice phantom.

2 Likes

I think the F-4C/D were later modified to carry AIM-9L and AIM-7F much later in life with the ANG
image

Along with later Sparrows and Sidewinders, the Phantom could theoretically get the XAIM-4H, since that was basically just an AIM-4D with proxy-fuse and better maneuverability (and it was intended to be fitted to aircraft that used the AIM-4D)

4 Likes

Also, there are a few more F-4D skins we could potentially see:


1 Like

Nice find! I can confirm the aircraft in the photo is F-4D belonged to New York Air National Guard 136th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. Is there a better photo where we can see the AIM-7F mounted on the F-4D?

Do you know if it is possible for the F-4D to get the AIM-4G? I have come to a dead end in my research to find more advanced missiles for the F-4 in ANG service and verify it.

3 Likes

Also, we can get to see these skins! One with shark mouth decal and inscription, and other one with non-military scheme.

McDonnell F-4D-26-MC Phantom 65-0586

Here is one carrying an AGM-65B.
F-4D

2 Likes

Frankly, I think you would enjoy it much more over a F-4C in 10.0 battles, but hey I suggested it to be foldered with F-4C, so it doesn’t impede your grind!

Of course, that is what my suggestion stands for. It just offers a better alternative to the F-4C, so you can be competitive against MiG-21MF/SMT with their already existing countermeasures. Otherwise, it can be also a squadron vehicle. I’ll let Gaijin to decide for that with consideration.

3 Likes

uuhhhh great idea

I’d like to see a late 60s configuration with 9Es, 4Ds, and 7Es for 10.3, rather than essentially a second F-4E.

2 Likes

I’m not looking at the F-4D under the impression it would be TT. The F-4E is already there lol.

If anything, we’d be more likely to get a second, later F-4E in the tree foldered with the current F-4E (with a whole load of stuff), then the F-4D could be premium, even, squadron, whatever else it could fit as.

1 Like

That image was just a ref for the 9L
I’m pretty sure most Phantoms that had 7E/7E-2 ended up getting 7F at some point, since the 7F was meant to be the main improvement over the E

1 Like

Looks like the perfect 10.7 gap filler honestly

1 Like

All for it, +1. Its an excellent 10.3 stop gap to fill the mediocrity of the F-4C. I would love to see this, along with another naval Phantom (F-4B) and an actual Vietnam war-spec F-4E (and give the current F-4E its late 1970’s ANG-service kit with more guided munitions and all-aspects)

4 Likes

-1 for the Iranian design. +1 for the F-4D Phantom II. Most likely it would be ether BR 10.3 or 10.7. I also don’t think they would add the Iranian camouflage because US doesn’t like them I’d say a Iranian F-4 Phantom II for China perhaps.

I kind of agree, OP used a picture of an IRIAF (post-revolution) F-4D camo, when it should actually be the pre-revolution IIAF (pre-revolution) instead, as Iran used to be a US ally back then:

No, that is just worthless copy-paste. China has no gaps at that tier that can’t be filled by domestic models

4 Likes

Oh yea, there’s also the Korean one if a tree for that country comes around ))))))

F-4C Phantom II is now 10.7, and I think it is urgent to add the necessary F-4D with better missiles and countermeasures as a substitution since the F-4C is struggling in current meta of air RB.

2 Likes

Maybe an modified/upgraded Iranian F-4D that uses Iranian, Chinese and Russian weapons and/or systems otherwise no