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 is RF-4C 65-0903, which joined the USAF's 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Mountain Home, Idaho in 1966. A year later, it was sent to Vietnam, serving first with the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing at Kadena, Japan, and then the 460th TRW at Tan Son Nhut, South Vietnam. It survived almost four years of combat, and in 1971 was brought back to the United States, to serve with the 67th TRW at Bergstrom AFB, Texas. It was only in Texas for a year before it was relegated to the 155th TRG (Nebraska ANG) at Lincoln. 65-0903 would remain with the 155th for an incredible 21 years before it was retired in 1993.
As one of the highest-timed RF-4Cs in the USAF and as a Vietnam veteran, 65-0903 was slated for preservation, and went on display as a gate guard at Rickenbacker ANGB, Ohio. In 2007, however, it returned to Nebraska, as it had served with the Nebraska ANG (and had never been assigned to a unit in Ohio). Though it never flew with Strategic AIr Command, it was placed on display at the SAC Museum at Ashland to honor the 155th's aircrews.
As one of the newest aircraft on display at the SAC Museum, 65-0903 is in superb condition, and was restored to its appearance with the Nebraska ANG, with the camouflage pattern worn by some of the USAF's RF-4 community when the aircraft was retired. My picture didn't turn out so well, but luckily my friend Darren was able to get a much better shot that he's allowed me to use.
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 is RF-4C 65-0903, which joined the USAF's 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Mountain Home, Idaho in 1966. A year later, it was sent to Vietnam, serving first with the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing at Kadena, Japan, and then the 460th TRW at Tan Son Nhut, South Vietnam. It survived almost four years of combat, and in 1971 was brought back to the United States, to serve with the 67th TRW at Bergstrom AFB, Texas. It was only in Texas for a year before it was relegated to the 155th TRG (Nebraska ANG) at Lincoln. 65-0903 would remain with the 155th for an incredible 21 years before it was retired in 1993.
As one of the highest-timed RF-4Cs in the USAF and as a Vietnam veteran, 65-0903 was slated for preservation, and went on display as a gate guard at Rickenbacker ANGB, Ohio. In 2007, however, it returned to Nebraska, as it had served with the Nebraska ANG (and had never been assigned to a unit in Ohio). Though it never flew with Strategic AIr Command, it was placed on display at the SAC Museum at Ashland to honor the 155th's aircrews.
As one of the newest aircraft on display at the SAC Museum, 65-0903 is in superb condition, and was restored to its appearance with the Nebraska ANG, with the camouflage pattern worn by some of the USAF's RF-4 community when the aircraft was retired. My picture didn't turn out so well, but luckily my friend Darren was able to get a much better shot that he's allowed me to use.