McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom II
The age and vulnerability of the RF-101C Voodoo was apparent by the Vietnam War. As losses rose among the Voodoo community, the USAF sought a faster and newer replacement. The solution turned out to be yet another variant of the eminently adaptable F-4C Phantom II. The basic airframe was retained with a new nose, with three cameras placed inside. As the RF-4C was meant to be unarmed, it was not necessary to retain the multimode interception radar of the F-4C, and the RF-4C used the smaller AN/APQ-99 navigation radar. Lighter and more aerodynamic than the F-4C, the RF-4C proved to be the perfect replacement for the RF-101 and remaining RF-84F Thunderstreaks in USAF service. It entered service in 1965.
The RF-4C would be the last dedicated manned tactical reconnaissance aircraft in USAF service. They were used extensively over Vietnam, and in active-duty USAF squadrons until the late 1980s, when they were relegated to Air National Guard units. The last two squadrons of ANG RF-4Cs saw service during the First Gulf War, after which they were retired completely. A number were supplied to foreign air forces afterwards, but the RF-4E (built off of the early F-4E variant) remains the primary foreign RF-4 version.
This RF-4C, 63-7761, was a Vietnam War veteran, possibly with the 432nd TRW at Ubon RTAFB, Thailand. It was assigned to the 187th TRG (Alabama ANG) at Montgomery Airport, Alabama in 1970, and remained with that unit until it was retired from flying in 1979. It was then made a GRF-4C ground trainer at Sheppard AFB, Texas, until it was scrapped in 1989.
I found this slide in Dad's collection, but as I have seen other pictures of 63-7761 taken at a similar air base, this may not have been taken at Malmstrom AFB, Montana, or by my father.
McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom II
The age and vulnerability of the RF-101C Voodoo was apparent by the Vietnam War. As losses rose among the Voodoo community, the USAF sought a faster and newer replacement. The solution turned out to be yet another variant of the eminently adaptable F-4C Phantom II. The basic airframe was retained with a new nose, with three cameras placed inside. As the RF-4C was meant to be unarmed, it was not necessary to retain the multimode interception radar of the F-4C, and the RF-4C used the smaller AN/APQ-99 navigation radar. Lighter and more aerodynamic than the F-4C, the RF-4C proved to be the perfect replacement for the RF-101 and remaining RF-84F Thunderstreaks in USAF service. It entered service in 1965.
The RF-4C would be the last dedicated manned tactical reconnaissance aircraft in USAF service. They were used extensively over Vietnam, and in active-duty USAF squadrons until the late 1980s, when they were relegated to Air National Guard units. The last two squadrons of ANG RF-4Cs saw service during the First Gulf War, after which they were retired completely. A number were supplied to foreign air forces afterwards, but the RF-4E (built off of the early F-4E variant) remains the primary foreign RF-4 version.
This RF-4C, 63-7761, was a Vietnam War veteran, possibly with the 432nd TRW at Ubon RTAFB, Thailand. It was assigned to the 187th TRG (Alabama ANG) at Montgomery Airport, Alabama in 1970, and remained with that unit until it was retired from flying in 1979. It was then made a GRF-4C ground trainer at Sheppard AFB, Texas, until it was scrapped in 1989.
I found this slide in Dad's collection, but as I have seen other pictures of 63-7761 taken at a similar air base, this may not have been taken at Malmstrom AFB, Montana, or by my father.