F-4 Composite Rudder Testing Aircraft

Several photos of the F-4’s used in early composite rudder testing at St. Louis. Boron and Beryllium epoxy rudders were both tested.

The above photo shows “Old 122” (YRF-4C 62-12200) in “Agile Eagle” configuration with the Beryllium rudder installed during April 1967. Adding leading edge maneuvering slats to F-4’s was evaluated during flight tests known as Project Agile Eagle. And it should come as no surprise that multiple flight test configurations were run at the same time! McDonnell made 45 rudders which were installed on F-4 fighters for service evaluation.

Also included is a Flight International article from June 7, 1973 on Boron Composites. This lists which aircraft used/tested boron componets and a background on Boron development.

Credit: Ramp “122” photo from FFRC Photo Collection

Click here to view photos

F4H-1 Standard Aircraft Characteristics Sheets

Two F4H-1 Standard Aircraft Characteristics (SAC) sheets, one dated April 30,1960 and the other dated February 1, 1963. Credit: Greater St. Louis Air and Space Museum.

Click here to download the 1960 SAC in PDF form (7.8 Megs)

Click here to download the 1963 SAC in PDF form (7.1 Megs)

700 Blog Posts Reached!

I have reached 700 posts on this blog!! Thanks to everyone that has contributed!

F-4K Use of Spey Engine Article

An article on the changes required to use the Rolls-Royce, Mk 201, engines instead of the U.S. J-79’s. From Aviation Week and Space Tecnology, dated July 25, 1966.

Click here to view article

FileFactory Download Problems

I have been getting reports of this kind of problem while attempting to download my files.

Let me be very clear, none of my files are infected as this is a FileFactory server problem!

As proof, ignore the warning and download a file; but, BEFORE opening it, run a virus scan on it and it will come up negative. My computer is scanned daily and once every week using four anti-malware programs. ALL of the files that I have ever uploaded are clean.

I have been in contact with FileFactory for over a week and received this from them:”

“Andy Wong (FileFactory Support)

Apr 1, 14:02

Hi there, thanks for your email.

We have investigated and discovered that some malicious users have been using our servers to host malware programs, and using TrafficShare to distribute the downloads to unsuspecting (but specific) downloaders.

Unfortunately this seems to flag all other files on the same server as potentially harmful. We are hunting down the accounts and files associated with this, and once removed, the warning errors should disappear.

Kind regards,

Andy Wong
Senior Customer Support Agent”

So, while this is troubling, my files are safe and FileFactory is taking steps to correct the problem from the rogue server files. Carry on!

BTW: Using a different browser will allow you to download the files, if your current one won’t.

NOTE: I have put an alternate download site for the “F-4D Gun Module Report”. Let me know if I need to give alternate download sites for other files.

F-4D/E Gun Module Installation Report

  Another McDonnell report number B233, dated November 10 1964. This report investigates the desired installation positions for the F-4D and F-4E Phantom II aircraft for carrying a gun module. Credit: Greater St. Louis Air and Space Museum

Click here to download the report in PDF form (1.22 Megs)

F-4D Gun Module Report

McDonnell report number B425, dated January 12 1965. This report investigates the desired position on the F-4D Phantom II aircraft for a gun module. Credit: Greater St. Louis Air and Space Museum

Click here to download the report in PDF form (1 Meg)

Alternate download site

F-15 Aircraft General Orientation Course

The course put together by McAir Product Support for the familiarization of the F-15A Eagle fighter aircraft. This course has everything from 3-view drawings, cockpit, ejection seat, system info; etc. Credit for original file: Greater St. Louis Air and Space Museum

Click here to download the course in PDF form (7 Megs)

McDonnell F-4D Description Report

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)

EF-4D Prototype Wild Weasel

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

McDonnell ASSET Program - Part II

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

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

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

Click here for Part I

The Phantom Remembered

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

Click here to view article

XF-88 - The Experimental Voodoos Article

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

F-15 Eagle Flight International Article

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)

F-101 and RF-101 Standard Aircraft Characteristics

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

F-101A Phase II Flight Evaluation

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)

Douglas F3D-1 Skyknight Pilot Handbook

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)

T-45C Pilots Pocket Checklist

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)

Patches and Stickers IV

Some more MDC patches.

Click here to view patches and stickers

Wings That Changed the World–Fly DC Jets

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

Douglas A-4 Skyhawk Photos–Part II

Some more A-4 Skyhawk pictures from my collection.

Click here to view photos

Click here to view Part I photos

F4H-1F Navy Designation Memo

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

F-15 Eagle Design Integration & Testing

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)

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

“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)

AV-8B Harrier II Stickers–Part II

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

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

Evolution of USAF Aircraft 1907 - 1957

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

F4H-1 In Flight Painting and Sketches

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

F-4 Phantom II Chronology Growth & Performance

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)

F-4 Phantom II Program Milestones

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

F-4 Ferris Paint Scheme Photos

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

Mr MAC's Fantastic F-4 Article

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

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

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

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

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

Historical F-4 Flight Test Program Charts – Part II

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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F-4 Serial Number Conversion Charts

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

A “Phabulous” Fighter

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

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)

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)

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

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