Subject: New Fighter Series--McDonnell F-4 Phantom (16 of 49)

From: [email-masked]
Date: 1 Jun 94 16:39:58 GMT

>From [email-masked]

The RF-4E (company designation Model 98LG) was the unarmed 
reconnaissance version of the F-4E.  It was designed strictly for 
export, and never served with the USAF.  However, RF-4Es did carry 
USAF serial numbers for administrative purposes.  The RF-4E combined 
the reconnaissance systems of the RF-4C with the J79-GE-17 engines and 
much of the airframe of the unslatted F-4E.  Like the F-4E, the -17 
engines of the RF-4E were later brought up to -17C standard and have 
been made smokeless.  

The West German Luftwaffe was the RF-4E's largest customer.  The first 
RF-4Es were ordered by the West German Luftwaffe in January of 1969.  
German industry participated in the production of some major 
subcomponents as well as certain US-built items which were deemed too 
sensitive for export.  The RF-4Es carried a Fairchild KS-87B or KS-72 
camera in bay number 1.  Bay number 2 could carry three KS-87s or, 
alternatively, pairs of KS-72 or KS-87 cameras.  The third bay carries 
one KA-91 or a KS-55A or two KS-87 cameras.  Alternatively, KC-1 or 
T-11 mapping cameras could be installed.  For night missions, the 
RF-4E carries photoflash cartridges which are ejected upwards from 
locations in the rear fuselage.  Sensors include the AAS-18A infrared 
reconnaissance system an improved UPD-4 side looking radar, and (for 
Luftwaffe aircraft) an advanced Goodyear UPD-4 side-looking radar 
system mounted in a centerline pod.  Luftwaffe RF-4Es were equipped 
with an air-to-ground datalink system and have the ability to develop 
film in flight and eject it for real-time evaluation by battlefield 
commanders.  

The first RF-4E for Germany (USAF serial number 69-7448) flew on 
September 15, 1970.  Luftwaffe service began on January 20, 1971, with 
the unit being Aufklarungeschwader 51 "Immelmann" (AKG 51) based at 
Bremgarten.  Other RF-4E aircraft equipped AKG 52 at Leck from 
September 17, 1971.  A total of 88 RF-4Es were delivered to the 
Luftwaffe.  They carried the USAF serials 69-7448/7535.  The Luftwaffe 
serials were 3501/3588.  

Under the *Peace Trout* program, a Luftwaffe RF-4E was fitted with an 
electronic intelligence (ELINT) system based on the APR-39 in place of 
the nose-mounted cameras.  It could be recognized by the presence of a 
distinctive bulge underneath the forward camera access door.  

In 1978, the Luftwaffe decided that it might be a good idea to give 
its reconnaissance RF-4Es a secondary ground attack capability.  In a 
program finished in 1982, all serving Luftwaffe RF-4Es were fitted by 
Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm (MBB) with a weapons delivery system.  They 
were provided with hardpoints and wiring for underwing weapons pylons.  
A weapons aiming sight was fitted for the pilot, with weapons 
selection switches being provided in both the front and rear cockpits.  
Up to six British-built Hunting BL-755 cluster bomb units could be 
carried, or up to 5000 pounds of other ordnance.  At the same time, 
the RF-4Es were upgraded with newer cameras and were fitted with Tracor 
AN/ALE-40 chaff dispensers.  

Luftwaffe RF-4Es were scheduled to leave active service sometime 
during 1993/94.  AKG-51's RF-4Es were to be replaced by Panavia 
Tornadoes, and AKG-52 was to be disbanded altogether.  As they left 
Luftwaffe service, several RF-4Es were passed along to Greece.  

Subsequently, Israel, Iran, Greece, and Turkey were supplied with 
RF-4Es.  The German RF-4Es had the angular nose associated with the US 
Navy's RF-4B and the early RF-4C of the USAF.  However, the RF-4E 
aircraft supplied to the Israeli, Iranian, Greek, and Turkish air 
forces were delivered with the more streamlined nose characteristic of 
later USAF RF-4Cs.  

After Germany, Iran was the largest customer for the RF-4E, a total of 
27 examples being ordered.  The first RF-4E destined for Iran rolled 
off the production line at McDonnell in St Louis in the late fall of 
1970.  It made its maiden flight on December 14, 1970.  The first 
RF-4Es arrived in Iran in 1971.  Fifteen more were delivered in 
succeeding years.  However, the final 11 RF-4Es destined for Iran were 
cancelled in February of 1979 for political reasons after the fall of 
the Shah.  Further arms deliveries to Iran were embargoed.  Owing to 
the arms embargo against Iran, the Iranian RF-4Es have reportedly been 
cannibalized to keep the few remaining serviceable F-4Es flying.  

The first Israeli RF-4Es were delivered in February of 1971 during 
Operation *Peace Echo I*.  A total of 12 RF-4Es were delivered to 
Israel between 1971 and 1976.  All of them were new builds.  Israeli 
RF-4Es have been repeatedly upgraded with structural improvements and 
new avionics.  The Israeli RF-4E can carry the Sidewinder air-to-air 
missile as well as the Israeli-built Python and Shafrir air-to-air 
missiles.  They have also been provided with indigenous reconnaissance 
and avionics equipment.  

Eight new-build RF-4Es were delivered to the Hellenic Air Force.  The 
RF-4E aircraft replaced the RF-84F Thunderflash in service with Mira 
348 in 1978-79.  However, Mira 348 retained its RF-84Fs in the 
training role until 1990.  The Greek RF-4Es have radar warning 
receivers mounted on the air intakes and on the rear of the vertical 
fin.  At least two of the Mira 348's RF-4Es have crashed.  In 1993, 
the strength of Mira 348 was supplemented by several ex-Luftwaffe 
RF-4Es that were passed along to Greece.  

Eight RF-4Es were delivered to Turkey.  The were all new-build 
aircraft.  Turkish RF-4Es were first delivered in November of 1978, 
equipping No.  113 Squadron at Eskisehir.  

Serial of the McDonnell RF-4E: 

69-7448/7455  McDonnell RF-4E-43-MC Phantom (for Luftwaffe, 3501-3508) 
69-7456/7462  McDonnell RF-4E-44-MC Phantom (for Luftwaffe, 3509-3515) 
69-7463/7481  McDonnell RF-4E-45-MC Phantom (for Luftwaffe, 3516-3534) 
69-7482/7510  McDonnell RF-4E-46-MC Phantom (for Luftwaffe, 3535-3563) 
69-7511/7535  McDonnell RF-4E-47-MC Phantom (for Luftwaffe, 3564-3588) 
69-7590/7595  McDonnell RF-4E-45-MC Phantom (for Israel, Peace Echo I) 
72-0266/0269  McDonnell RF-4E-48-MC Phantom (for Iran) 
74-1725/1728  McDonnell RF-4E-61-MC Phantom (for Iran) 
74-1729/1736  McDonnell RF-4E-62-MC Phantom (for Iran) 
75-0418/0423  McDonnell RF-4E-63-MC Phantom (for Israel, Peace Echo V) 
77-0309/0316  McDonnell RF-4E-66-MC Phantom (for Turkey) 
77-0357/0358  McDonnell RF-4E-66-MC Phantom (for Greece) 
77-1761/1766  McDonnell RF-4E-66-MC Phantom (for Greece) 
78-0751/0754  McDonnell RF-4E Phantom (Iranian AF) 
		Order cancelled in 1979, planes reduced to components.  
78-0788 McDonnell RF-4E Phantom (Iranian AF) 
		Order cancelled in 1979, plane reduced to components.  
78-0854/0864 McDonnell RF-4E Phantom (Iranian AF) 
		Order cancelled in 1979

Sources:

  McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Since 1920: Volume II, Rene J.
  Francillon, Naval Institute Press, 1990.

  McDonnell F-4 Phantom: Spirit in the Skies.  Airtime Publishing, 1992.

  Modern Air Combat, Bill Gunston and Mike Spick, Crescent, 1983.

  The American Fighter, Enzo Angelucci and Peter Bowers, Orion, 1987.

  United States Military Aircraft Since 1909, Gordon Swanborough and
  Peter M. Bowers, Smithsonian, 1989.

  The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft Armament, Bill Gunston,
  Orion, 1988. 

Joe Baugher		AT&T Bell Laboratories   	
263 Shuman Boulevard 		Naperville, Illinois 60566-7050