F-4 aircraft initially entered service in 1958 to provide US Navy fleet defense; however, the US Air Force quickly developed an interest in this airframe. Five years after introduction into the Navy, the US Air Force began flying its modified variant, the F-4C. McDonnell Douglas produced 5,059 F-4s, with more than 2,600 “C” models built specifically for the US Air Force. This aircraft excelled in air-to- air combat against North Vietnamese fighters and could carry twice the bombing load of a World War II-era B-17 bomber. The US Air Force continued to use F-4s into the 1990s with Operation Desert Storm, finally retiring them in 1996.
In 1962, the US Air Force designated the Ogden Air Materiel Area at Hill Air Force Base as the System Support Manager for the new F-4. Hill depot personnel later began maintenance, repair and overhaul activities on the F-4, starting in 1966. For nearly 30 years, this mission remained on the base and it included everything from RF-C reconnaissance systems maintenance, to painting, and more.
Concerning combat, the highly decorated 388th Tactical Fighter Wing flew F-4s during Vietnam and then at Hill Air Force Base from 1976 until 1980, when the unit converted to F-16s.
The F-4C on display rolled off the production line in 1964 and crash-landed in Missouri two days after the US Air Force received it. Although badly damaged, this aircraft was delivered to the Ogden Air Logistics Center for repair and hands- on training. At Hill Air Force Base, it was the first aircraft to go through the F-4 Crash Damage Repair Program. The Hill Aerospace Museum began displaying this F-4C in 1989.
This aircraft is on loan from the U.S. Air Force Heritage Program.
Serial Number: 63-7424
Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas
Primary Function: Attack Bomber
Crew: Two
Engines: Two General Electric J79-GE-15 turbojets; 17,000 pounds thrust each in afterburner
Wingspan: 38 ft 5 in (27 ft 6 in folded)
Length: 58 ft 3 in
Height: 16 ft 6 in
Weight: 28,000 lbs.; Maximum Takeoff Weight: 58,000 lbs.
Speed: Maximum: 1,400 mph; Cruising: 590 mph
Range: 1,750 miles
Service Ceiling: 59,600 feet
Armament: Up to 16,000 lbs. of externally carried nuclear or conventional ordnance.
Cost: $2,200,000 (approximate)
Years of Service: 1963 – 1996
In 1962, the Ogden Air Materiel Area was designated as the System Support Manager for the USAF’s new F-4 aircraft, which included support to allied countries for this airframe in the subsequent decades. By 1966, the first F-4C was inducted into Hill Air Force Base maintenance shops. Once assigned to Hill Air Force Base, the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing flew F-4s from 1976 until 1980 when the unit’s F-16 conversion was complete.
The F-4C was accepted into the USAF in March 1965. Originally it was retained by the manufacturer for flight testing but was assigned to the Air Force Missile Development Center, Air Force Systems Command at Holloman Air Force Base in December 1966.
The aircraft returned to McDonnel-Douglas in May 1967 where it spent two years before being relocated to the Air Force Armament Test Center at Eglin Air Force Base in March 1969. During its service at Eglin, the F-4C was deployed to Edwards Air Force Base before going back to McDonnell-Douglas in October 1977.
In October 1980, the aircraft was transferred to Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base, then was transferred to McDonnell-Douglas before moving to the Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill Air Force Base in August 1981. At Hill, the aircraft flew flight test and weapons missions until March 1988 when it was dropped from the active Air Force inventory and transferred to museum status. The aircraft was placed on static display at the Officers’ Club.
In the Spring of 2005, the State of Utah awarded Funding to the Aerospace Heritage Foundation of Utah for the aircraft to be relocated to a new pedestal on the Museum grounds. The aircraft was repainted and relocated to Hill Aerospace Museum in the Fall of 2006.
A subjective question, the F-4 was an incredibly advanced and powerful aircraft, able to fly over Mach 2.2 while carrying 18,000 pounds of weapons. Though initial models of the aircraft suffered from shortcomings, eventually the Phantom found its way to become a highly respected frontline fighter.
The Phantom was used primarily as an interceptor during the Vietnam War, with secondary roles as a fighter-bomber.
Originally the F-4 was not armed with an internal weapon. This was due, at the time, to the belief that modern warfare would take place at high speeds and long range, requiring the use of missiles exclusively. It was believed that fighters would never enter within dog-fighting ranges, so standoff weapons were left off.
American military doctrine at the time was focused on fighting a nuclear war with their then-primary adversary, the Soviet Union. The thinking was fast, missile firing aircraft would have no need for highly maneuverable, dog fighting. This proved disastrous in the close air war of the Vietnam era.
By the mid-1970s and 80s, more modern aircraft like the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon began to replace the F-4.
The Phantom ended production in 1981 after just over 20 years, with a total of 5,195 aircraft produced.
The ever-evolving modern battlefield required the introduction of new, more specialized and advanced aircraft to take over for the aged F-4. However, the many hard-learned lessons over the course of numerous engagements by the Phantom, helped shaped modern airframes for decades.
The twin-engine interceptor, fighter-bomber has a top speed of just over Mach 2.2, which is approximately 1,688 miles per hour.
