avionics. The F-4D entered operational service in April 1966 and joined the combat forces in
Southeast Asia in May 1967. With the arrival of the “D” most of the “C” variant
was reassigned to ground attack with the “D”s taking on the air-to-air interceptor role. In 1968 –
1969 a total of 825 “D” models were produced 793 for the USAF and 32 for the Iranian Air Force.

On April 16, 1972 four F-4Ds were on combat patrol over North Vietnam. The third aircraft,
66-7550 c/n 2085, was crewed by pilot Major Dan Cherry and WSO Jeff Feinstein. The four
F-4Ds encountered several MiG-19 and MiG-21s and after a five minute dogfight Cherry and
Feinstein scored their first victory. The MiG-21 pilot was Lieutenant Nguyen Hong My who
survived the war and on April 16, 2009 was the guest of honor at the public opening of the
66-7550 display in the Aviation Heritage Park, Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Specifications McDonnell-Douglas F-4D Phantom II

Type – Fighter

Entered Operational Service - April 1966

Crew - 2

Dimensions
Length - 62 ft. 10 in. (18.9 m)
Height - 16 ft. 6 in. (5.03 m)
Wingspan - 38 ft. 5 in. (11.71 m)
Wing area - 530 sq ft. (49.23 sq m)

Weights
Empty Weight - 28,276 lbs (12,823 kg)
Gross Weight - 50,341 lbs (22,830 kg)
Max Weight - 58,000 lbs (26,303 kg)

Powerplant
Engines - 2 X General Electric J79-GE-17 turbojets
Thrust
Dry - 11,870 lb. st
With Afterburners - 17,900 lb. st

Fuel load
Total - 3,230 US gallons (12,226 l)
Maximum internal
Internal fuselage tanks - 1,260 gallons (4,769 l)
Internal wing tanks - 630 gallons (2,384 l)
Maximum external
600 US gallon (2,271 l) centerline tank
+
2 - 370 US gallon (1,400 l) tanks under each wing on the outer pylons.

Performance
Range - 1375 mi (2,214 km)
Cruise Speed - 587 mph (945 kph) (510.81 kt)
Max Speed
@ 42,000 ft - 1,432 mph (2,304.5 kph) (12,801 m) (Mach 2.17)
@ Sea Level - 826 mph (1,329.3 kph) (Mach 1.08)
Landing speed - 165 mph (265.5 kph)
Initial rate of climb - 40,100 fpm (12,222.5 m/min)
Maximum rate of climb - 48,300 fpm (14,721.1 m/min)
Ceiling - 59,400 ft (18,104 m)
Combat range - 502 miles (807.9 km)
Maximum range - 1,844 miles (2,967.6 km) with maximum external fuel.

Armament
(4) Aim-7D or (4) Aim-7E Sparrow missiles semi-recessed on slots in the fuselage belly
+ up to (4) Aim-9 Sidewinder missiles on the inboard pylons or up to (18) x 750 lb
(340 kg) bombs for a maximum offensive load of 16,000 lbs (7,257.48 kg)

This new site is being updated regularly and it will be much improved before too long. Please be patient, give it time, and check back regularly. Opportunities for community collaboration are in the works for a little further down the road.