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Designation: YF-4J

McDonnell Douglas F-4J

McDonnell Douglas YF-4J Phantom II

A picture of the McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II

The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II was designed as a missile-armed fleet defense fighter for the United States Navy.  The F-4B became the primary Navy and Marine fighter in the first half of the 1960s.  In late 1964 three F-4Bs were converted to test numerous improvements to the basic design and designated YF-4J.  Improved aerodynamics to lower take-off distances and decrease landing speeds, improved engines, upgraded radar, and better ground attack ability were the primary changes.  Over 500 of this version of the Phantom were built between 1966 and 1972.

Service History

Built by McDonnell Aircraft in St. Louis, Missouri as a F-4B and delivered to the U.S. Navy on September 17, 1964.

September 1964          Retained at the factory and converted to YF-4J standards. 

October 1964              To Navy Program Office, St. Louis, Missouri.

April 1970                   To Naval Aeronautical Recovery Facility, Naval Auxiliary Air Station El Centro, California.

October 1970              To Naval Air Testing Facility Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey.

January 1975               To Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona for storage.

October 1982              Loaned to Pima Air & Space Museum by the National Naval Aviation Museum.

Wingspan 38 ft 5 in.

Wingspan

Length 58 ft 3 in.

Length

Height 15 ft 8 in.

Height

Weight 56,000 lb (loaded)

Weight

Max. Speed 1,428 MPH

Maximum Speed

Service Ceiling 64,700 ft

Service Ceiling

Range 1,750 miles

Range

Engines Two General Electric J79-GE-10 turbojets with 17,900 pounds of thrust each

Engines

Crew 2

Crew


Manufacturer
McDonnell Douglas

Markings
Naval Air Test Facility, Naval Air Station, New Jersey, 1974

Designation
YF-4J

Serial Number
151497