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 1969 the 366th TFW received 2 squadrons equipped with the F-4E Phantom whose missions
included aircraft escorts and ground attack. The 366th TFW became known as the “Gunfighters”
because of the addition of 20mm Gatling gun pods to their earlier F-4Cs.
F-4E 68-0339 from the 366th TFW/421st TFS “Black Widows” was modified to carry a pair of
Navy Mk 20 Rockeye II Cluster Bombs on each inboard station; one ALQ-87 ECM pod carried in
the right front missile bay; two AIM-7 Sparrow radar missiles in the aft wells; one 600-gallon
centerline drop tank and an SUU-23/A Gun Pod. Operating alone near the DMZ this heavily
armed free-roaming strike-recce aircraft would attack any enemy targets of opportunity. When
operational, the aircraft used the callsign “Chico” alerting Forward Air Control (FAC) aircraft this
special F-4E was on the prowl and available to assist if needed. F-4E 68-339 became known as
“Chico the Gunfighter” and was the only USAF F-4 modified to carry out these special missions
and only 5 pilots ever flew it.

Specifications McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II

Engines – (2) 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) 20-mm M61A1 cannon with 639 rounds in an under-nose gondola
(4) AIM-7 Sparrow semi-active radar homing air-to-air missiles in semi-recessed slots in the
fuselage belly.
(2) to (4) 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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