How Do You Identify The F-4 Phantom II?
Only 48 of more than 5,000 of the legendary F-4 Phantom IIs currently serve in the United States’ defense, all as “Wild Weasels,” doing dangerous duty in air-defense suppression. Look for an airplane about half the size of a small jet airliner. The Phantom is just over 58 feet long with a wingspan of less than 39 feet. Check the nose. It seems somewhat larger than the fuselage around the cockpit. Note also that the nose slopes downward from the cockpit area. Note the cockpit is long enough to accommodate a pilot and an electronic warfare officer seated in tandem. Remember, the F-4’s wings are unique. Note the triangular shape and that a significant portion of the outer wing angles slightly upward. Note the horizontal stabilizer elements angle sharply downward. Seen from the front or rear, the horizontal stabilizer and the wingtips seem to reach toward one another. Remember, the Phantom II is powered by two jet engines mounted within the fuselage. Check for the engine air intake on each
