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 two RF-4Cs at Quartzsite, Arizona's Veterans Freedom Memorial Park, this is 65-0941. It was delivered to the USAF in 1966 and served with the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, first at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho and then at Bergstrom AFB, Texas. In 1978, it was transferred to the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB, California and redesignated as a NRF-4C testbed. 65-0941 would remain with AFFTC until it was retired in 1991; in 1992, it was donated to Quartzsite for their veterans' memorial, along with 66-0384.
Of the two RF-4s there, 65-0941 is worse off, its markings fading and showing signs of heavy corrosion, having spent nearly 30 years in the Mojave Desert. The park itself is quite pleasant, and worth a stop, but the two Phantoms could definitely use some restoration work.
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 two RF-4Cs at Quartzsite, Arizona's Veterans Freedom Memorial Park, this is 65-0941. It was delivered to the USAF in 1966 and served with the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, first at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho and then at Bergstrom AFB, Texas. In 1978, it was transferred to the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB, California and redesignated as a NRF-4C testbed. 65-0941 would remain with AFFTC until it was retired in 1991; in 1992, it was donated to Quartzsite for their veterans' memorial, along with 66-0384.
Of the two RF-4s there, 65-0941 is worse off, its markings fading and showing signs of heavy corrosion, having spent nearly 30 years in the Mojave Desert. The park itself is quite pleasant, and worth a stop, but the two Phantoms could definitely use some restoration work.