The first production RF-4C flew in May 1964. The RF-4C was an unarmed recon variant
designed for information gathering. This variant is quite easy to recognize from other F-4
variants because of the distinctive nose. The larger nose was designed to accommodate radar,
sensors and flat windows for cameras. During its years of service the RF-4C used two nose
variations. The original design was the angular version with a later design that had a smoother
rounded camera bulge. There were 503 RF-4cs built with 499 being officially accepted by the
USAF.

Starting in 1978 the Spanish Air Force received 4 ex-USAF RF-4C Phantom IIs. In 1989 a
second batch of 8 former 123rd TRW, Kentucky ANG RF-4C Phantom IIs arrived. These aircraft
went to the ALA 12 (wing) based at Torrejón where the newly formed 123 Escuadron (squadron)
was equipped with some of the Rhinos. One of the aircraft was numbered CR12-55/12-64 which
was formerly USAF 65-0823 c/n 1217.
The Spanish aircraft are identified by letters and numbers on the tail. CR-12-55 with the “C”
standing for cazabombardero (fighter bomber) and the “R” for reconnaissance. The 12
represents the 12th type of aircraft used by the SAF, the Phantom II. The “55” means this is the
55th Phantom II to enter SAF service. On the fuselage are numbers “12-64” that indicate the
aircraft belongs to “ALA 12” and the second number “64” means this is the 64th aircraft to join
ALA 12. The RF-4C was retired in 2002.

Specifications for the McDonnell RF-4C Phantom II

Type – Updated Spanish photographic reconnaissance version of the USAF's F-4C.
Rails were added for possible Sidewinders.

Dimensions
Wingspan - 38 ft 5 in
Wing area - 530 sq ft
Length - 62 ft 11 in
Height - 16 ft 6 in

Performance
Engine – 2 X General Electric J79-GE-15 turbojets
Thrust
10,300 lb.s.t. dry
17,000 lb.s.t. with afterburner
Fuel
Maximum internal fuselage tanks
Up to block 40 aircraft – 1,260 U.S. gallons
Aircraft block 41 and on – 1,142 U.S. gallons
Maximum external tanks
Center-line – 600 U.S. gallons
On outer pylons – 2 X tanks (1 per wing) 370 U.S. gallons

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