Starting in 1973 the Japan Air Self-Defense Force "Hihon Koku Jietai" received
154 F-4EJ Phantoms that were based on the USAF F-4E. This was enough to
equip six interceptor squadrons. 138 of these aircraft were manufactured
under license by Mitsubishi who produced the last F-4 Phantom II in the
world; aircraft 17-8440 on May 21, 1981. Since Japan was under a non-
aggression restriction after WW II several changes were made to the F-4E to
make it an F-4EJ. This included removal of the in-flight refueling receptacle
that was later retrofitted, no leading edge slats, ground attack control
equipment such as weapons and bomb delivery systems and the addition of
modern electronic equipment including a data link system and radar warning
receiver. Most of the equipment that had been restricted were reinstalled
over time. The F-4EJ came equipped with a 20mm Vulcan canon affixed under
the nose, and AIM-7E Sparrow and AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles. Starting in
the late 80's 96 F-4EJs have been modified to the F-4EJ Kai (modified)
standard. This mainly was an improvement with the latest electronics, radar
and avionics.

The 302 Hikotai (Air Squadron) was formed in 1974 as part of 83 Kokugun
(Air Group), 2 Kokudan (Air Wing). They were based at Chitose AB,
Hokkaido; the main JASDF base in northern Japan. Its primary task was to
monitor Japan’s maritime border with the USSR. F-4EJ 07-8432 was produced
in 1980 and on October 29, 1984 at approximately 13.42 had the misfortune
of suffering engine troubles while on a training flight and crashed into the sea.
Pilot Major Hironaka Katsuhiko, WSO Captain Noguchi Moritaka ejected and
were safely recovered.

Specifications for the F-4E Phantom II / F-4EJ are virtually identical except for
the restricted equipment mentioned in the write up. Most or all this
equipment was eventually reinstalled.

Number Built: F-4E - 5,195 / F-4EJ - 154 with 138 built in Japan under license.

Interesting trivia:
Each aircraft has 54,197 feet of wiring and 643,000 fasteners holding it
together.

Engines:
2 X General Electric J79-GE-17 turbojets, 11,870 lb.s.t dry, 17,900 lb.s.t. with
afterburner.

Performance:
Maximum speed - 1430 mph at 36,000 feet (Mach 2.21), 914 mph at sea
level (Mach 1.19).
Cruising speed - 585 mph.
Landing speed - 158 mph.
Initial climb rate - 61,400 feet per minute.
Service ceiling - 62,250 feet.
Combat ceiling - 59,600 feet.
Combat range - 595 miles.
Range: 1,100 miles.
Maximum range – 1,885 miles with maximum external fuel.

Weights:
Empty - 29,535 pounds.
Gross - 40,562 pounds.
Combat weight - 38,019 pounds.
Maximum takeoff weight - 61,651 pounds.

Dimensions:
Wingspan - 38 feet 5 inches.
Wing area - 530 square feet.
Length - 63 feet 0 inches.
Height - 16 feet 6 inches.

Fuel:
Maximum internal fuel in the fuselage tanks - 1364 US gallons (up to block
40) or 1225 US gallons (block 41 and beyond). An additional 630 gallons of
fuel could be carried in internal tanks inside the wings.
Maximum external fuel - 600 US gallons in a centerline tank carried
underneath the fuselage.
Plus 370 US gallons in each of two tanks be carried underneath the outer
under-wing pylons.
Total fuel load – 3,334 US gallons (up to block 40) or 3,195 US gallons (block
41 and beyond).

Armament:
1 X 20-mm M61A1 cannon with 639 rounds.
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.
A 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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