The USAF jumped on the Phantom II bandwagon and ordered their own batch as the F-110A (in an effort to replace their slower Lockheed F-104 Starfighters), though this designation was later changed, officially becoming the F-4C Phantom II model. Not to be left behind, the USAF took notice of the aircraft and received 29 on loan from the USN for evaluation - an unprecedented step in itself considering the historical "competition" between these branches of service. Throughout the late 1950's and early 1960's, the two variants went on to set several records in maximum altitude (98,556 feet on December 6th, 1959), time-to-altitude and overall speed (1,606 miles per hour on November 22,1961) among others. F-4A and F-4B models were quick to land in the aviation record books. The United States Marine Corps soon followed suit, seeing the multi-role capabilities of the aircraft, and received their order in 1962 with the intention of utilizing the platform as their primary close air support fighter-bomber. The first operational squadron of F-4 operators became the VF-74 ('Be-Devilers') of the United States Navy, whom received the F-4B model series in October of 1961, after successful trials off the deck of a carrier the year prior. The F-4B "fleet defense" model was fitted with the J79-GE-8 series engines, this being an improved form of the A-model' powerplant. This batch is oft-regarded as a pre-production version of the main aircraft series for the United States Navy, leading up to the first true operational production examples in the F-4B model series, which was essentially the second half of the initial F4H-1 production batch. F4H-1 (later redesignated the F-4A) was produced in 45 examples, these with the General Electric J79-GE-2/2A turbojet engines. These prototypes featured an early form of - what was to become - the legendary General Electric J79 afterburning turbojet engines. Two XF4H-1 Phantom II prototypes were built with the first one flying on and quickly outclassing any other aircraft in the skies at the time. In 1955 the USN turned the AH-1 requirement into a new two-seat, all-missile fighter design - and along with it, the designation of F4H Phantom II was born. The project began in 1954 and the USN ordered the F3H as two evaluation YAH-1 (AH-1) prototypes, though these fitted with the new General Electric J79 afterburning turbojet (x2). At the time, the United States Navy was looking for a replacement of their core F3H Demon series with a more viable and capable type and took notice of the McDonnell attempt. The design, the F3H-G/H was an advanced navy fighter proposal powered by twin Wright J65 turbojet engines, an armament suite of 4 x 20mm cannons and seating for one. The Phantom II was initially envisioned as an all-weather attack platform and began as a McDonnell company study project. Though widely retired from most national air forces, some continue to serve today - some 50 years after production had initially begun. The aircraft served American forces in the Vietnam Conflict and was pressed into service in the Persian Gulf War of 1991. The Phantom II grew into an all-around performer and went on to serve with the USAF, USN and USMC (concurrently - the first American aircraft to do so) - and some 11 other nations around the world. Arguably one of the finest combat fighters of the 20th Century, the McDonnell F-4 Phantom II series was produced in larger numbers since the end of World War 2 than any other Western fighter of the time.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |