The McDonnell Douglas F-4 was the main multipurpose aircraft for the US Military for 20
years. The F-4E variant was an improved version of the C/D with an elongated nose
and compact radar. These two things made it possible to install a 20mm M61A1 6 barrel
640 round Vulcan gun pod in the nose. The F-4E was the most produced variant with
1387 aircraft being made over its 12 year production period. The “E” also equipped
more air forces than any other variant of the Phantom II.

In 1968 Iran started to receive the F-4D and by 1977 the F-4E with estimates of 227 to
240 Phantoms total. F-4E 3-6684 was originally assigned to the 91st TFW at Bandar
Abbas Air Base. In late 1981 the aircraft was sent to strengthen a squadron of the 31st
TFW located at Vahdati Air Base. Iran was engaged in a war with Iraq from 1979 until
1988 and several IRIAF pilots claimed victories while flying this aircraft. There is one
confirmed victory over an Iraqi MiG-21.

Specifications McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II

Engines - 2 X General Electric J79-GE-17 turbojets
Thrust – 11,870 lb. st dry, 17,900 lb. st with afterburners

Fuel
Maximum internal fuel - fuselage tanks 1,364 US gallons (up to block 40) and 1,225 US
gallons (from block 41 on).
Additional - 630 gallons of fuel in internal wing tanks.
External fuel load - 600 US gallons centerline tank
Additional - 370 US gallons tanks under each wing attached to the outer pylon
Total fuel load - 3334 US gallons (up to block 40) or 3195 US gallons (from block 41 on)

Performance
Maximum speed – 1,430 mph at 36,000 ft (Mach 2.21) / 914 mph at sea level (Mach
1.19)
Cruising speed – 585 mph
Landing speed – 158 mph
Initial climb rate – 61,400 fpm
Service ceiling – 62,250 ft
Combat ceiling – 59,600 ft
Combat range - 595 miles
Maximum range - 1885 miles with maximum external fuel

Weights
Empty - 29,535 lbs
Gross - 40,562 lbs
Combat - 38,019 lbs
Take off - 61,651 lbs

Dimensions
Wingspan - 38 ft 5 in
Wing area - 530 sq ft
Length - 63 ft 0 in
Height - 16 ft 6 in

Armament
1 X 20-mm M61A1 cannon with 639 rounds in an under-nose gondola
4 X AIM-7 Sparrow semi-active radar homing air-to-air missiles in semi-recessed slots in
the fuselage belly
2 to 4 X AIM-9 Sidewinder infra-red homing air-to-air missiles carried under the wings on
the inboard pylons
Total offensive load of up to 16,000 pounds could be carried on the centerline and four
under-wing hard-points.

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