McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II

[Nostalgistic 312]

Hello! Today, I am introducing the McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II, a sequential variant of USAF Phantoms, specifically an upgrade of the F-4C and contributed to its significant actions during the Vietnam War.

Overview

Aircraft: McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II

 

Role: Jet Fighter / Interceptor / Fighter-Bomber

 

Snapshot:

Background

Spoiler

The F-4D was an improved variant of the F-4C which made its first flight in June-December 1965 (two years after F-4C made its first flight in May-November 1963). This variant improved bombing and air-to-air capability, updated avionics, and new AN/APQ-109. The AN/APQ-109 can manage the TV imagery weapons such as AGM-62 Walleye. The variant also mounts AIM-4D Falcon, primarily used for hunting bombers.

 

The F-4Ds entered the service and replaced the F-4Cs during the spring of 1967. This variant scored the most confirmed kills during the Vietnam War with 44.5 confirmed kills (F-4C scored 42 kills while F-4E scored 21 kills). The F-4D is the only variant that had confirmed AIM-4 Falcon kills (5 confirmed kills). During the late 1970s and early 1980s, the F-4Ds were transferred into the inventory of the Air National Guard. They remained in service as fighter interceptors for national defense purposes until the early 1990s. They were ultimately retired from the service and replaced by F-16s at that time.

Specifications

 

General Characteristics

• Crew: 2 (Pilot and Weapon Systems Officer)
• Length: 58 feet and 3 inches (17.7546 meters)
• Height: 16 feet and 5 inches (5.0038 meters)
• Wingspan, spread: 38 feet and 5 inches (11.7094 meters)
• Wingspan, folded: 27 feet and 7 inches (8.4074 meters)
• Wing Area: 530 square feet (49.2386 square meters)
• Powerplant: 2x General Electric J79-GE-15
• Operating Weight: 29,800 lb (13,517 kilograms)
• Maximum Operating Weight: 51,800 lb (23496 kilograms)

 

Performance

• Maximum Speed: 1,432 mph at 42,000 feet (Mach 2.17, 2,304.6 kph at 12801.6 meters)
• Sea Level Speed: 826 mph (Mach 1.08, 1,329.32 kph)
• Cruising Speed: 587 mph (944.69 kph)
• Combat Range: 1,844 miles with maximum external fuel (2,967.63 kilometers)
• Service Ceiling: 55,850 feet (17,023 meters)
• Initial Rate of Climb: 40,100 feet per minute (203.708 meters per second)

Cockpit

Spoiler

Armament

Guns

• SUU-16/A Gun Pod
• SUU-23/A Gun Pod

 

Air-to-Air Missiles

• AIM-4D Falcon

 

• AIM-7D Sparrow
• AIM-7E Sparrow
• AIM-7E-2 Sparrow

 

• AIM-9B Sidewinder
• AIM-9E Sidewinder
• AIM-9J Sidewinder (F-4Ds in Air National Guards after Vietnam War used AIM-9Js as mentioned by later versions of USAF Series F-4C, F-4D, and F-4E Aircraft Flight Manual)

 

Air-to-Ground Bombs & Rockets

• M117 GP Bomb
• M118 GP Bomb

 

• MK 82 Snakeye I GP

 

• MK 82 LDGP Bomb
• MK 83 LDGP Bomb
• MK 84 LDGP Bomb

 

• KMU-351/B Laser Guided Bomb
• KMU-370/B Laser Guided Bomb

 

• LAU-3/A Rocket Launcher
• LAU-32 Rocket Launcher
• LAU-59 Rocket Launcher
• LAU-68 Rocket Launcher

 

• AGM-12B Bullpup
• AGM-12C Bullpup
• AGM-12E Bullpup

 

• Guided Weapon Mk 1 Mod 0 (AGM-62A Walleye)

 

• AGM-45 Shrike

 

Misc

• AN/APQ-109 Rader Set
• AN/APA-157 or AN/APA-165 Intercept Computer
• AN/ASG-22 Optical Sight
• AN/ASQ-91 Release Computer
• AN/ALE-40 Countermeasure System
• Radar Warning Receiver

Images (Some interesting and cool liveries!)

Spoiler

 

 

All of those F-4D Phantom II photos are credited by the media in the category of F-4D Phantom II of commons.wikimedia.org.

Conclusion

McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II is another variant of F-4 Phantom II that offers upgrades of avionics and weaponry over the F-4C. The variant is a logical addition, and it can be in a folder with F-4C in the current tech tree. The F-4D deserves to join and complete the Phantom family in War Thunder.

Sources

Primary

• T.O. 1F-4C-1 Flight Manual USAF Series F-4C, F-4D, and F-4E Aircraft
• T.O. 1F-4C-34-1-1 Aircrew Weapons Delivery Manual (Non-Nuclear) USAF Series F-4C, F-4D, and F-4E Aircraft

 

Secondary

• https://airwingmedia.com/downloads/f4-phantom/
• https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=64504
• http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_fighters/f4_10.html
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_F-4_Phantom_II

 

 

Thank you for your time reading my suggestion!

Edited February 6, 2023 by Nostalgistic
fixed line spacing

[super_cacti 1,071]

Open for discussion 

[Milocat 4,857]

Excellent choice of F-4 variant to add to War Thunder, +1 for sure.  

[VF21_Freelancers 1,404]

+1

I would bring 5 gunpods and missiles if F-4D was implemented.

Spoiler

 

[oom1992 649]

+ Good fighter aircraft non top tier early tier VII, Armament of F-4D It's so close to F-4E

Edited April 9, 2022 by oom1992

[BlueRooster57 1]

I like the idea that its in the folder with F-4C. It would probably fit at 10.3-10.7 depending on what munitions Gaijin decides to give it. I would love a Phantom in the 9.7-10.7 bracket with flares, Su-25 and A-10 make the F-4C unusable. 

[EL337GH0ST 196]

+1 either replacing the F-4C at same BR, but with flares, or make it 10.3 with AIM-9J and basic AIM-7E