Thursday, March 31, 2016

McDonnell F-4D Description Report

F-4D Report E-578 May-24-66_01 (2) McAir report No. E-578, dated May 24 1966 explaining the characteristics of the US Air Force F-4D aircraft. Also, the differences from the F-4C. Credit: Greater St. Louis Air and Space Museum

The report states: “ The F-4D is the second fighter version of the Phantom II family to go into service with the USAF. The F-4D has essentially the same airframe and engines as the F-4C. Major system improvements have been made which increase the aircraft's air-to-air gunnery capability and air-to-ground conventional weapon delivery accuracy. These improvements consist of the addition of a Lead Computing Optical Sight (Drift Stabilized), a Weapon Release Computer Set and a modification to the Inertial Navigation System to provide the necessary inputs to the Weapon Release Computer and the Lead Computing Optical Sight. In addition, the F-4C air intercept radar (APQ-100) has been modified for the F-4D (APQ-109) to provide air-to ground
range input to the Weapon Release Computer. To house the additional electronic equipment, a new equipment bay has been added above the #1 fuel cell. The following pages briefly describe the F-4D and use of the new systems.”

Click here to download the report in PDF form (3.74 Megs)

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

EF-4D Prototype Wild Weasel

F-4D 66-7647 Jan 19 1972-1 In 1971/72, McAir converted two F-4D aircraft with the APR-38 Homing and Attack System for “Wild Weasel” suppression role. Only two aircraft were modified for evaluation . These were the forerunner of the F-4G Wild Weasels. Credit: Scotthldr at ArcForums and above photo from FFRC Photo Collection via Angie Wang

Click here to view photos

A nice article on f-4 prototype “Wild Weasels” here

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

McDonnell ASSET Program - Part II

ASSET D4C-6551 Aug 1961 Mike Mackowski, of Space In Miniature, has kindly shared his collection of McDonnell ASSET repots and photos with us!

If you are into real spacecraft, visit Mike to get his booklets. None better!

Click here to view articles and photos

ASSET Part I posting is here

Asset Program Markings & Cuts posting is here

Monday, March 28, 2016

F-4 Phantom II 50th Anniversary Stickers - Part II

50thPatch2 Another F-4 50th anniversary sticker/patch from 2008.

Click here for Part I

Sunday, March 27, 2016

The Phantom Remembered

Scan2256 A McAir Product Support department article on the F-4 Phantom II for the 1958 30th anniversary issue.

Click here to view article

Saturday, March 26, 2016

XF-88 - The Experimental Voodoos Article

Scan2962 A wonderful article by Bill Gunston in the July 1982 “Aeroplane Monthly” magazine on the XF-88 prototype aircraft.

Click here to view the article

Friday, March 25, 2016

F-15 Eagle Flight International Article

F-15 Flight International May-1-75 article_01 An authorized McDonnell Douglas Corp. reprint of the “Flight International" magazine article on the F-15 Eagle from May 1, 1975. Lots of info, pictures and a cut-a-way drawing!

Click here to download the article in PDF form (3 Megs)

Thursday, March 24, 2016

F-101 and RF-101 Standard Aircraft Characteristics

F-101A Voodoo SAC - November 1962_01RF-101A Voodoo SAC - May 14 1957_01 We have already had the XF-88 and F-88 SAC's; so, here are the F-101A/B/C and RF-101A/C SAC's.

Click here to download SAC’s in PDF form – F-101A (1955), F-101A (1962), F-101B, and F-101C

Click here to download SAC’s in PDF form – RF-101A (1957), RF-101A (1960) and RF-101C

Prior blog entries for XF-88 SAC's here and F-88 SAC’s here

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

F-101A Phase II Flight Evaluation

F-101 Flight Test 073570_005 A poor Xerox copy of the F-101A Phase II Flight Evaluation, manual number AFFTC-TF-55-32. Lots of charts and graphs for the historian.

Click here to download the manual in PDF form (12.25 Megs)

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Douglas F3D-1 Skyknight Pilot Handbook

Untitled 2 A copy of the Douglas F3D-1 Skyknight Pilot’s handbook, Report No. AN 01-40FAA-1, dated June 25 1951. Credit: Handbook via Irfan S. Hokan

Click here to download the handbook in PDF form (9.1 Megs)

Monday, March 21, 2016

T-45C Pilots Pocket Checklist

T-45C Pilots Pocket Checklist_01 A Preliminary NATOPS PILOT'S POCKET CHECKLIST for T-45C aircraft, 165080 AND UP, and also aircraft after AFC-194. Checklist number A1-T45AC-NFM-500, dated September 1, 1999.

Click here to download check list in PDF form (44.6 Megs)

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Patches and Stickers IV

Patch 002 Some more MDC patches.

Click here to view patches and stickers

Saturday, March 19, 2016

Wings That Changed the World–Fly DC Jets

Frontiers-DEC15JAN16_01 Boeing’s short article on the end of C-17 and Douglas Aircraft production. Some historical perspective in the article. The article is from Boeing’s Frontiers magazine volume 14, issue 8, dated December 2015/January 2016

Clike here to read article

Friday, March 18, 2016

Douglas A-4 Skyhawk Photos–Part II

Scan1616 Some more A-4 Skyhawk pictures from my collection.

Click here to view photos

Click here to view Part I photos

Thursday, March 17, 2016

F4H-1F Navy Designation Memo

F4H-1F Designation Memo Mar-10-61_01 For the aviation historian, I present the actual memo that designated the F4H-1F, BUWEPS 13100, dated March 10, 1961. Credit: Greater St. Louis Air and Space Museum

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

F-15 Eagle Design Integration & Testing

Design Integration & Testing of the F-15 McAir 74-013_01 McAir report 74-013 on the Design Integration & Testing of the F-15 aircraft. This report was given by Hermon Cole at the SAE Aerospace Engineering and Manufacturing Meeting in San Diego, California on
30 September - 3 October 1974. A great look at the F-15 design process with lots of charts and graphs!

Click here to download report in PDF form (3.5 Megs)

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Operational Lessons Learned from the F/A-18E/F Total Flight Control Systems Integration Process

F_A-18E_F Operational Leasons Learned ADP011127_01 “This paper addresses this total integrated design in the Super Hornet, including discussion on how the control effectors were integrated with feedback sensors to reduce the likelihood of departures, how the flight envelope was expanded to provide greater maneuverability, some surprise lessons learned on the control of asymmetric flow characteristics over the wing. and the positive and negative lessons learned from this design concept by the fleet operators.”

This is an in-depth, scientific paper on active control technology delivered by the Naval Air Systems Command in May 2000.

Click here to download paper in PDF form (1.5 Megs)

Monday, March 14, 2016

AV-8B Harrier II Stickers–Part II

AV-8B 1AV-8B-2 A couple more AV-8B stickers. (Click photos for large view.)

Other AV-8B stickers and patches may be found here, here and here

Sunday, March 13, 2016

Evolution of USAF Aircraft 1907 - 1957

image_1 The charts and aircraft listings from the February 1957 Flying magazine’s “50 Years of Airpower” article with all USAF aircraft from 1907 to 1957. An interesting side by side comparison.

Click here to view article

Saturday, March 12, 2016

F4H-1 In Flight Painting and Sketches

1 F-4A Painting Scan20832 F4H-1 In Flight 1a A very nice company painting and two sketches of two F4H-1’s in flight. Also, an F4H-1 cut-a way drawing, for good measure.

Click here to view items

Friday, March 11, 2016

F-4 Phantom II Chronology Growth & Performance

image_4 Another F-4 Phantom II chronology report; but, this time with performance data on F4H-1 thru F-4J and comparative data between the aircraft.

Click here to download the report in PDF form (6.2 Megs)

Thursday, March 10, 2016

F-4 Phantom II Program Milestones

image_1 A seven page internal document detailing the F-4 Phantom II Program milestones. And several charts and graphs listing program deliveries, international F-4 numbers and the F-4 delivery calendar.

Click here to see pages and charts

Click here for earlier post on this subject

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

F-4 Ferris Paint Scheme Photos

Ferris 0 A couple more F-4 Phantom II photos in the Ferris paint scheme. The above Russian “Bear” interception photo was taken on March 10, 1977. These aircraft were assigned to CVW-15 aboard USS Coral Sea. This is the only “in action” photo that I have ever seen!

Click here to view photos

Original Ferris post here

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Mr MAC's Fantastic F-4 Article

Scan1876Scan1877aUntitled 4 An article from the Air Trails magazine “World’s Greatest Aircraft” issue on Mr. MAC’s Fantastic, Formidable aircraft, F-4 Phantom II. The noteable thing here is the F-4A (F4H-1) cut away drawing!

Click here to view article and drawing

Monday, March 7, 2016

History of McAir 1939-1979 (40 Years of Good Things)

Scan0003Scan0001 Continuing with my mission (and labor of love) in sharing the history of McDonnell Aircraft Company from my 40 years "inside". We have the following:

In 1979, as part of the company’s 40th anniversary celebrations, McAir issued a cookbook. This cookbook had a history of the company as a forward. (Yes I contributed recipes)

Here is that history with some interesting, seldom seen photos!

Click here to view the history

Sunday, March 6, 2016

F-4M (FGR.2) Phantom XT-907 Photos

Phantom_FGR.2_at_NAS_Patuxent_River_c1970Scan0171 A series of photos taken on April 15, 1969 of the 17th F-4M, XT-907. This aircraft was manufacturing cum # 2665. The McDonnell F-4M-33-MC Phantom was later re-designated FGR.2.

The above photo shows XT-907 at Patuxent River, MD around 1970. Later photo here.

These photos include both cockpits, the AN/AWG-12 radar set, new fuel vent mast and the drag chute door.

Click here to view photos

Saturday, March 5, 2016

Historical F-4 Flight Test Program Charts – Part II

Scan1296 Some additional charts listing the flight test history of the F-4 Phantom II. Charts for the F-4C/D/E, Isreali and Japanese F-4E, RF-4B/C, German RF-4E and F-4K/M.

Click here to view charts

Earlier F-4 charts here

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Friday, March 4, 2016

F-4 Serial Number Conversion Charts

image_1 A copy of the F-4 Phantom II Serial Number Conversion Chart, dated July  23, 1976. SNCC’s are used to cross correlate BuNo, ship numbers and the block that the ship was part of when built. Block numbers are important as equipment changes usually occurred at block changes.

Click here to download the chart

Thursday, March 3, 2016

A “Phabulous” Fighter

May08_Frontiers_11 Boeing’s short article on the F-4 Phantom II’s 50th anniversary first flight. From the “Boeing Frontiers” magazine.

Click here to view article

YC-15 Utility Flight Manual

YC-15 Utility Flight Manual_01YC-15 A copy of the company produced Flight Manual, Report No. MDC  J6005, dated Jan 1977 for the McDonnell Douglas YC-15 aircraft.  Credit: Manual via Irfan S. Hokan

Click here to download the manual in PDF form (111 megs)

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

F-4C Power Plant Maintenance Instructions

F-4C Power Plant Maintenance Instructions A copy of the Power Plant Maintenance Instructions, TO 1F-4C-2-8, for the McDonnell F-4C aircraft. This is a technical manual and is dated September 15, 1978.

Click here to download the manual in PDF form (176 Megs)

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

F4H-1F/F-4A Production Inlet Duct Photo

Scan0002 9(D4E-258866) A very good photo of the F4H-1F/F-4A production inlet. It had a shallower ramp angle and the shorter fixed ramp.

Click here to view photo and ramp comparison

Click here to view a another duct post

Tommy Thomason has a article on F-4 duct differences here

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