Re: F-4 Phantom Discussion Zone - Versions, Mods, Lumps & Bu
Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 3:46 pm
Phantom facts ("Phantomology") is actually pretty easy, if you divide the various versions into groups.
The first major division is the "thin winged" vs "thick winged" versions. On the same basic fuselage (except for the UK) the wings are the next thing that divides them. That is because the series started with a Thin Wing, and then added the Thick Wing later, caused by a change in tire width.
The next division is the Original Nose (YF4H-1 and the like), Short Nose (Late F-4A, F-4B/N, F-4C, F-4D, F-4J/S, and F-4K/M {with a unique fuselage shape}, Long Nose (F-4E, F-4EJ, F-4F, F-4G), and the Recce Nose (RF-4B, RF-4C and RF-4E {there really wasn't an RF-4EJ, those were really RF-4E, built by McDonnell and sold to Japan} {there were two different Recce noses, also),,,,,,,,and then there are the "Ringers", which I will talk about later on.
Among the Thick Winged Phantoms, there were two different wheel types, the Naval and the Land Based.
There were two different stabilators, the early Non-slotted, and the Slotted, which are slightly larger with the same span, because the Slots were created by adding a framework to the front edge of the basic Stabilator.
It is important to remember that among the Short Nose Phantoms, the nose Radomes could interchange from one type to another. This was in fact done on some aircraft. The Late F-4A, F-4B, F-4C and F-4D used a Radome that had different Nose Sensors attached at the bottom, these fairings could also be interchanged from Radome to Radome. The F-4J and F-4S Radomes had a different sensor slot at the back of the bottom of the Radome. The F-4K, F-4M, late F-4C, early F-4D and Blue Angels aircraft had a Radome that did not have slots for either the nose lump (Donkey Dick) or the rear slot for the F-4J item.
Tail tips also had differences, and could be changed on an airframe as different equipment was added or deleted on any given Phantom airframe. The very rear of the fuselage drag chute covers also can be changed, lumps and bumps varied on them as well.
One other change in the actual airframe occurred when the Phantom's intakes were changed from the early type used on the Prototype and the "Late F-4A and later" version that we all know. There were also changed intakes on the F-4K and F-4M.
There were Three main external differences in the engines, the Early "short afterburner can", the Late "long afterburner can" and the UK used Spey engines. (there are other engines used on the Ringers, also)
So, here's a summary so far,
Thin and Thick wings
Thin and Thick tires, with Naval and Land wheel types for the Thick tires
Original Nose, Short Nose, Long Nose, Recce Nose
Non-Slotted and Slotted Stabilators
Radome variations
Tail tips
Chute doors
Intake type
3 different engine cans
Those are the "big parts", there were many different small details that enter into this,,,,,,,,these big parts are what divide the labels on the model kits from each other when they get boxed up, labelled and sold to us.
The first major division is the "thin winged" vs "thick winged" versions. On the same basic fuselage (except for the UK) the wings are the next thing that divides them. That is because the series started with a Thin Wing, and then added the Thick Wing later, caused by a change in tire width.
The next division is the Original Nose (YF4H-1 and the like), Short Nose (Late F-4A, F-4B/N, F-4C, F-4D, F-4J/S, and F-4K/M {with a unique fuselage shape}, Long Nose (F-4E, F-4EJ, F-4F, F-4G), and the Recce Nose (RF-4B, RF-4C and RF-4E {there really wasn't an RF-4EJ, those were really RF-4E, built by McDonnell and sold to Japan} {there were two different Recce noses, also),,,,,,,,and then there are the "Ringers", which I will talk about later on.
Among the Thick Winged Phantoms, there were two different wheel types, the Naval and the Land Based.
There were two different stabilators, the early Non-slotted, and the Slotted, which are slightly larger with the same span, because the Slots were created by adding a framework to the front edge of the basic Stabilator.
It is important to remember that among the Short Nose Phantoms, the nose Radomes could interchange from one type to another. This was in fact done on some aircraft. The Late F-4A, F-4B, F-4C and F-4D used a Radome that had different Nose Sensors attached at the bottom, these fairings could also be interchanged from Radome to Radome. The F-4J and F-4S Radomes had a different sensor slot at the back of the bottom of the Radome. The F-4K, F-4M, late F-4C, early F-4D and Blue Angels aircraft had a Radome that did not have slots for either the nose lump (Donkey Dick) or the rear slot for the F-4J item.
Tail tips also had differences, and could be changed on an airframe as different equipment was added or deleted on any given Phantom airframe. The very rear of the fuselage drag chute covers also can be changed, lumps and bumps varied on them as well.
One other change in the actual airframe occurred when the Phantom's intakes were changed from the early type used on the Prototype and the "Late F-4A and later" version that we all know. There were also changed intakes on the F-4K and F-4M.
There were Three main external differences in the engines, the Early "short afterburner can", the Late "long afterburner can" and the UK used Spey engines. (there are other engines used on the Ringers, also)
So, here's a summary so far,
Thin and Thick wings
Thin and Thick tires, with Naval and Land wheel types for the Thick tires
Original Nose, Short Nose, Long Nose, Recce Nose
Non-Slotted and Slotted Stabilators
Radome variations
Tail tips
Chute doors
Intake type
3 different engine cans
Those are the "big parts", there were many different small details that enter into this,,,,,,,,these big parts are what divide the labels on the model kits from each other when they get boxed up, labelled and sold to us.
As well as some fences associated with both.