Were RF-4 Phantoms new builds in St. Louis?

[Dave2]

Does anyone know if RF-4C's were new builds on the McDonnell Douglas line or were these other Phantoms reworked into RF-4's?

[phantom]

With the exception of the YF-4C which became a YF-4E and many other planes, I believe 99% of the recce Phantoms were built that way from the begining..

[Steve jahn]

You are correct sir.

steve

[Rhino53]

62-12200, the YRF-4C was converted on the line from an F-4B into the prototype RF-4C, retaining the thin wings etc of the B, and the rear Sparrow wells, which made it a very unique aircraft. Interestingly, though, the RF-4C came before the RF-4B.

The only other converted 'recce' Phantoms I know of are some F-4EJ's converted to RF-4EJ's by Japan. These still look like standard F-4EJ's but are wired up for recce pods. I am not sure of the original model of the 3 Israeli RF-4E(S)'s.

Edited March 21, 2008 by Rhino53

[PNW_Modeler]

62-12200, the YRF-4C was converted on the line from an F-4B into the prototype RF-4C, retaining the thin wings etc of the B, and the rear Sparrow wells, which made it a very unique aircraft. Interestingly, though, the RF-4C came before the RF-4B.

The only other converted 'recce' Phantoms I know of are some F-4EJ's converted to RF-4EJ's by Japan. These still look like standard F-4EJ's but are wired up for recce pods. I am not sure of the original model of the 3 Israeli RF-4E(S)'s.

To clarify....the RF-4EJ uses recce pods hanging from a hard point, not a built in cam like the RF-4B/C?

Isn't that kinda like calling a TARPS ready Tomcat a RF-14A?

Edited March 21, 2008 by paul.nortness

[phantom]

The centre hard point to be exact. These would not qulaify I figure as they were built as F-4EJ (fighter) and converted later to the recon mission..

[Rhino53]

To clarify....the RF-4EJ uses recce pods hanging from a hard point, not a built in cam like the RF-4B/C?

Isn't that kinda like calling a TARPS ready Tomcat a RF-14A?

Thats correct, except there was some equipment removed I believe, and the RF-4EJ's are now single role. There are at least 2 kinds of pods which are hung from the centreline station, and the paint job is unique.

[Spooky 01]

To clarify....the RF-4EJ uses recce pods hanging from a hard point, not a built in cam like the RF-4B/C?

Isn't that kinda like calling a TARPS ready Tomcat a RF-14A?

Hi Guy's,

I'm sorry but I have to disagree with this comment. The converted F-4EJ's which are now used as RF-4EJ's have been totally rewired to adapt two types of RECCE-pod's. The rewired aircraft are, however, solely used as RECCE-bird's. TARP's-ready Tomcat's stille retained their original role as Fleet Air Defence Fighter & "Bomb-Cat"-role. These modified bird's therefore received an additional role, unlike the modified F-4EJ which currently serve as DEDICATED RECCE-bird's.

When I was at Hyakuri AB in Japan I shot some of these bird's during a national AD-exercize. Most Bird's adorn the "standard" JASDF F-4EJ scheme. Two bird's however adorned a beautiful variant which came close to the "European One"-scheme which used to be used by the USAFE-bird's in the mid-80's.

"Check Six....."

Spooky.

P.S.: All JASDF RECCE-Phantom's are based at Hyakuri AB and serve with the 501 Hikotai (= Squadron).