Subject: McDonnell F-4 Phantom (6 of 49)

From: [email-masked] (joseph.f.baugher)
Date: 6 May 94 02:43:23 GMT

In the initial Model 98 package that was submitted to the Navy, 
McDonnell had included a Model 98P, which was a photographic 
reconnaissance version of the basic design.  The Navy initially 
expressed no interest in the Model 98P proposal, since they were 
perfectly happy with the F8U-1P reconnaissance version of the 
Crusader.  However, the F8U-1P lacked the night reconnaissance 
capability that was being planned in early 1962 for the Air Force's 
RF-110A reconnaissance version of the land-based Phantom.  This caused 
the Navy to take a second look at the Model 98P, and in February 1963 
the Marine Corps agreed to acquire the first 9 of an eventual 46 
RF-4Bs.  

In initial proposals and in pre-contract negotiations, this aircraft 
had initially been referred to as F4H-1P.  However, this was changed 
to RF-4B in September 1962 when the new unified designation scheme 
came into effect.  

The RF-4B was quite similar to the much more numerous RF-4C of the 
USAF.  Like the RF-4C, the RF-4B was unarmed.  The fighter's 
radar-equipped nose was replaced with a special nose specifically 
designed for reconnaissance applications.  This nose was 4 feet 8 7/8 
inches longer than the nose of the armed F-4B.  The AN/APQ-72 radar of 
the F-4B was replaced by the much smaller Texas Instruments AN/APQ-99 
forward-looking J-band monopulse radar which was optimized for terrain 
avoidance and terrain-following modes, and could also be used for 
ground mapping.  There were three separate camera bays in the nose, 
designated Stations 1, 2, and 3.  Station 1 could carry a single 
forward oblique or vertical KS-87 camera, Station 2 could carry a 
single KA-87 low-altitude camera, and Station 3 normally carried a 
single KA-55A or KA-91 high-altitude panoramic camera.  The much 
larger KS-91 or KS-127A camera could also be carried.  Unlike the 
cameras of the Air Force's RF-4Cs, the RF-4B's cameras were fitted on 
rotating mounts so that the pilot could aim them at targets off the 
flight path.  

The rear cockpit was configured for a reconnaissance systems operator, 
with no flight controls being provided.  Two ALE-29A/B chaff/flare 
dispensers were installed, one on each side of the aircraft above the 
rear fuselage.  For nighttime photography, a set of photoflash 
cartridges could be ejected upward from each side of the aircraft.  

An AN/APQ-102 reconnaissance SLAR was fitted, with antenna faired into 
the lower fuselage sides, just ahead of the intakes.  This SLAR was 
capable of tracking both fixed and moving targets.  An AN/AAD-4 
infrared reconnaissance system was fitted in the fuselage belly just 
behind the SLAR.  AN APR-25/27 radar homing and warning system was 
used, an ASW-25B one-way datalink was installed.  An ALQ-126 deceptive 
electronic countermeasures package was installed, which obviated the 
need to carry external jammer pods.  An ARC-105 communication 
transceiver was fitted, which required that large fin-skin shunt 
antennae be faired into both sides of the vertical fin.  A Litton 
ASN-48 inertial navigation system was carried.  

The first 34 RF-4Bs (BuNos 151975/151982 and 152089/153113) retained 
the powerplants and the basic airframe of the F-4B.  However, the last 
twelve (BuNos 153114, 153115, and 157342/157351) were built with the 
wide wheels and the "thick" wing of the F-4J.  The last three of these 
(157349/157351) were completed with the smoothly-rounded undernose 
bulge similar to that seen on many USAF RF-4Cs.  This adaptation 
improved the aerodynamics and increased the internal volume.  However, 
on these three aircraft, the pilot no longer had control of the angle 
of a KS-87 camera on station 2, which was made fixed.  

The film could be developed in flight and film cassettes could be 
ejected at low altitude so that ground commanders could get aerial 
intelligence as rapidly as possible.  

The first RF-4B flew on March 12, 1965, and deliveries of 46 examples 
took place between May 1965 and December 1970.  All of them went to 
the Marine Corps.  

The RF-4B was first delivered to VMCJ-3 based at MCAS El Toro in May 
of 1965, and soon after to VMCJ-2 at MCAS Cherry Point and to VMCJ-1 
at Iwakuni in Japan.  

VMCJ-1 based at Iwakuni in Japan took its RF-4Bs to Da Nang in October 
of 1966.  During the Southeast Asia conflict, three RF-4Bs were lost 
to ground fire and one was destroyed in an operational accident.  

Beginning in 1975, surviving Marine Corps RF-4Bs were upgraded as part 
of Project *SURE* (Sensor Update and Refurbishment Effort).  There was 
some local strengthening of the airframe and the wiring was entirely 
replaced.  These planes were fitted with the AN/ASN-92 carrier 
aircraft inertial navigation system (CAINS) which replaced the ASN-48.  
They were also fitted with the AN/ASW-25B datalink, the AN/APD-10B 
SLAR (replacing the APQ-102A), and the AN/AAD-5 infrared 
reconnaissance set (replacing the AN/AAD-4).  Various 
externally-mounted electronic countermeasures pods were replaced by 
the internally-mounted ALQ-126 or -126B electronic countermeasures 
suite with characteristic cable ducts mounted on the sides of the 
intakes.  The J79-GE-8 engines were later replaced by J79-GE-10 
engines.  

In 1975, two years after combat in Southeast Asia had ended, the 
surviving RF-4Bs were regrouped into a new squadron, VMFP-3, based at 
MCAS El Toro.  VMFP-3 stood down in August of 1990, bringing Marine 
Corps operations of the RF-4B to an end.  

Serial numbers of the RF-4B:

151975/151977		McDonnell RF-4B-20-MC Phantom  (USMC)
151978/151979		McDonnell RF-4B-21-MC Phantom  (USMC)
151980/151981		McDonnell RF-4B-22-MC Phantom  (USMC)
151982/151983		McDonnell RF-4B-23-MC Phantom  (USMC)
153089/153094		McDonnell RF-4B-24-MC Phantom  (USMC)
153095/153100		McDonnell RF-4B-25-MC Phantom  (USMC)
153101/153107		McDonnell RF-4B-26-MC Phantom  (USMC)
153108/153115		McDonnell RF-4B-27-MC Phantom  (USMC)
157342/157346		McDonnell RF-4B-41-MC Phantom  (USMC)
157347/157351		McDonnell RF-4B-43-MC Phantom  (USMC)

Sources:

  The World's Fighting Planes, William Green, Doubleday, 1964.

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

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

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

Joe Baugher			**************************************
AT&T Bell Laboratories		*  "Round up the usual suspects."    *
263 Shuman Boulevard		**************************************
P. O. Box 3050
Naperville, Illinois 60566-7050		
(708) 713 4548				
uscbu!jfb                     Who, me?  Speak for AT&T?  Surely you jest!	
[email-masked]