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.
One of the oldest RF-4Cs left, 63-7746 joined the USAF in 1965. According to the museum, it served with the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing at Holloman AFB, New Mexico, at least for a time. By 1979, it was with the Air National Guard, the 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (Alabama ANG) at Birmingham, but returned to the active duty USAF by being reassigned to the 67th TRW at Bergstrom AFB, Texas, and may have seen action during Operation Desert Storm. By 1991, 63-7746 was back with the Guard, flying with the 163rd TRG (California ANG) at March AFB, where it remained until retirement in 1996, when it was donated to the March Air Museum.
March shows off the various camouflage patterns used by the F-4 over the years: their F-4C is in Southeast Asia, the F-4E is in Egypt One, and 63-7746 is in Europe One, or a variation of it. It carries the 163rd's starry tail stripe on the tail. According to the museum's website, 63-7746 is remarkably intact for a museum aircraft: it still not only has its engines, but cameras and ejection seats as well.
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.
One of the oldest RF-4Cs left, 63-7746 joined the USAF in 1965. According to the museum, it served with the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing at Holloman AFB, New Mexico, at least for a time. By 1979, it was with the Air National Guard, the 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (Alabama ANG) at Birmingham, but returned to the active duty USAF by being reassigned to the 67th TRW at Bergstrom AFB, Texas, and may have seen action during Operation Desert Storm. By 1991, 63-7746 was back with the Guard, flying with the 163rd TRG (California ANG) at March AFB, where it remained until retirement in 1996, when it was donated to the March Air Museum.
March shows off the various camouflage patterns used by the F-4 over the years: their F-4C is in Southeast Asia, the F-4E is in Egypt One, and 63-7746 is in Europe One, or a variation of it. It carries the 163rd's starry tail stripe on the tail. According to the museum's website, 63-7746 is remarkably intact for a museum aircraft: it still not only has its engines, but cameras and ejection seats as well.