McDonnell USAF F-4C, RF-4C, F-4D and F-4E Phantom II aircraft cockpit layouts and instrument panels

The USAF F-4C Phantom

The USAF tested the Navy F-4B in 1961 to see if it could serve as its main tactical fighter aircraft and decided to approve of a USAF version that was designated F-4C. The first F-4C prototype flew in May 1963 and production deliveries began in November 1963. The aircraft was modified with larger tyres as compared to its Navy counterpart and  the rear cockpit was reconfigured so that the rear-seat crewman could also fly the plane. Tailhook, radome and hydraulic folding wings were retained. It used two J79-GE-15 engines and had a RAM air turbine. The radar set consisted of a AN/APQ-100 radar and there was a AN/APA-157 intercept computer. The production stopped in 1966 when 583 F-4Cs were built.

Bob Dwyer's web site shows very nice and detailed images of an F-4C instrument panel. Another restored F-4C instrument panel is shown on Dale's aircraft instrument panel pages.

The images below show typical F-4C Phantom II cockpit layouts and instrument panels. Click on the images to view larger versions.
 

F-4C Phantom II front cockpit layout and instrument panel.

F-4C Phantom II rear cockpit layout and instrument panel.

F-4C, F-4D and F-4E Phantom II high resolution cockpits for computer flight simulation

Streak Eagle has designed very nice high resolution F-4C, D and E cockpits, that are partly based on the images shown below. If you are looking for a high resolution F-4 Phantom cockpits for your flight simulator, check out his versions at CombatACE F-4C Hi-res Cockpit, CombatACE F-4D Hi-res Cockpit, and CombatACE F-4E Hi-res Cockpit. These cockpits are also available on AVSIM. 

RF-4C panel from Pierre

Pierre is restoring an RF-4C panel and would like to know in anybody has the indicator/warming lights that go next to the Camera control panel in the lower left corner of his main pilot's instrument panel.

Photo of YRF-4C Phantom II prototype as displayed in a McDonnell Brochure of the early 1960s (Kindly made available by Daniel Lehmann (see www.aero-lehmann.de).

Pierre's RF-4C Phantom cockpit main instrument panel.

F-4C panel restoration by Dave Garbe

Dave has completed restoration of the F-4C panel below and is now working on restoring a complete F-4D nose section. His progress is shown below in the F-4D section.

Dave Garbe's restored F-4C Phantom cockpit main instrument panel

The USAF F-4D Phantom

After gaining experience with the F-4C, the USAF decided upon modifications to the aircraft to enhance its air-to-ground capabilities without major structural modifications. These changes included a AN/APQ-109 radar set and in some cases an AN/APA-165 intercept computer, a different optical sight (AN/ASG-22) and an AN/ASQ-91 weapons release computer was added. The F-4D became involved in combat operations in Southeast Asia in May 1967 and relegated most of the F-4Cs to a ground attack role, while the F-4Ds were used for air-to-air interception duties. Its weapons included the usual AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, but the F-4D could also launch the unsuccessful Falcon missiles. Both F-4C and F-4D did not have a canon. For more information about the F-4D please visit Joe Baughers F-4D web site.

The front and rear cockpit layouts of a typical F-4D Phantom are shown below, whereas images of an F-4D front instument panel and an F-4D rear instrument panel can be viewed on the TopFlight Imaging  web site of Henry Busch, as well as information on scale modelling, scale trains and a Martin Baker MKH7 ejection seat from the USAF.

F-4D front cockpit instrument panel layout.

F-4D rear cockpit layout.

Early F-4D panel restoration by Andy

After successfully completing restoration of several instrument panels, Andy from Canada has embarked on a new project, i.e. restoring an early F-4D panel. There was some confusion if this was an F-4C or F-4D panel, which was solved by Bob Dwyer, who is an ex-pilot with a lot of hours in F-4 Phantoms and displays F-4 instrument panels panels at www.topflightimaging.com. The restored panel is shown below. Andy still needs the TAKE-OFF CHECK placard to complete his panel. Click here to see a more elaborate request including a picture of the edge-lit placard. Please contact me if you have one of these available...

Andy's early F-4D panel, shown with a F-4J radar scope.

Andy's earlier projects were a beautiful F-101B Voodoo front cockpit instrument panel and an AVRO CF-100 Canuck instrument panel (see below). These projects took him several years to complete.

Andy's Canadian McDonnell F-101B Voodoo front instrument panel.


Andy's Canadian McDonnell Douglas F-101 Voodoo front cockpit instrumentation. It is 98% complete, missing the rudder pedals and top panel glare shields. A 3-year project almost completed...

Andy's AVRO CF-100 Canuck instrument panel

F-4D nose section restoration by Dave Garbe

Dave Garbe in the USA is restoring an USAF F-4D Phantom cockpit-nose section (tail no. 65-0720) for static display. He is looking for instruments, ejection seat, other parts and especially technical manuals or references to complete his restoration (see images below for missing instruments). If you have any available, please contact me at maartenwaterloo@netscape.net. More information about Dave Garbe's project can be found here.

USAF F-4E Phantom

The first production F-4Es flew in 1967. The aircraft was powered by two General Electric J79-GE-17 high-trust, axial flow turbojet engines equipped with afterburner. Leading-edge flaps were replaced by two-position slats to improve stability at low airspeeds and armor plating was installed in later versions of the aircraft to protect the oxygen bay, hydraulic/engine fuel feed compartment and stabilator actuator. This aircraft also included a 20 mm internal nose-mounted cannon and retained the semi-recessed AIM-7 Sparrow missiles and external stores stations.

The modified radar set and intercept computer (AN/APQ-120) also required a new design for the nose of the aircraft, making the nose longer than that of the F-4D and F-4C. A seventh fuel cell was also installed and the RAM air turbine removed. The length was increased from 58 feet 3" for the F-4C and F-4D to 63 feet for the F-4E. For more information about the F-4E please visit Joe Baugher's F-4E web site. Several cockpit layouts for the F-4E front and rear cockpits are shown below.

F-4E front cockpit instrument panel layout before MSOG and slats.

F-4E rear cockpit layout after Maverick, TSEO and slats

F-4E Phantom mobile nose section for events

Joe from St. Louis or Bethalto, Illinois, has beautifully restored an F-4E Phantom cockpit section. This section has been mounted on a mobile platform and it is possible to have this F-4E Phantom cockpit on display for birthday parties, corporate events, school activities or otherwise. Joe's web site is www.littlepilots.com and you can contact him at littlepilots@charter.net.

Instrument close ups for the (R)F-4C, F-4D and F-4E Phantoms

Flight instruments particular to the F-4C, F-4D and F-4E aircraft are shown below. Please visit my F-4B/N (main panel) and F-4J/S Phantom II (rear panel) pages to view instruments common to most F-4 aircraft. Electrical connections for lighting the instruments are also given on these pages.

	ARU-11/A Artificial Director Indicator, made by Lear Siegler.
	Horizontal Situation Indicator ID-1411, made by Collins.

The ID-1090/APN-155 radar altimeter made by the Radio Corporation of America. Located on the main pilot's instrument panel. The set is a pulsed range-tracking radar, that provides the pilot with accurate terrain clearance information from 0 to 5000 feet. The set consists of two identical antennas, a receiver - transmitter unit, an R-F switching unit and this indicator. The receiving antenna is on the lower left front fuselage near the left-inboard leading-edge flap, whereas the transmitting antenna is on the corresponding spot on the starboard side. The radar altimeter functions up to 30° bank angles and 50° pitch angles. A low altitude warning light is mounted. Displayed in USAF F-4D and F-4E flight manuals. Pinouts are (source TDDR-50D F-4D trouble shooting manual vol. 5): A= 115 V AC to receiver/transmitter, B= 115 V AC input from Aircraft supply, C= GND, D= self test signal to coax switches, E= +20 V DC reference, F= indicator drive signal to indicator counter in receiver/transmitter, G= indicator drive signal return, J= flag signal from search generator in receiver/transmitter, K= +28 V DC from aircraft supply, L= 0-5 V AC input from aircraft lighting bus, N= lighting GND, P= GND, R= +20 V DC from receiver/transmitter, S= error signal from indicator counter in receiver/transmitter, U= +28V DC to receiver/transmitter.
	Pioneer - Bendix Corp. airspeed and mach number indicator.
	C-8160/A Flight director mode selector, made by Collins Radio Corp.
	C-10311/A Control, mode selector panel. Later version used in USAF F-4D and F-4E aircraft. Lights with pin A to ground and pin D to 0-5V AC.
	Camera control panel from an RF-4C aircraft. Located on main pilot's instrument panel.
	Flight instrument lights brightness control panel on an RF-4C instrument panel.

	ARU-13/A remote attitude indicator, made by Lear Siegler.
	ARU-3A 4-minute turn and slip indicator as located on the RIO's instrument panel. Integrally lighted (5 V) and operating on 28 V DC.
	At least two different ARK-10A/A24G-8 angle of attack indicators with different pinouts were used on the F-4C/D/E. Both were made by Specialties Inc. (MFR code 10639). More information provided on my F-4B/N page. I have a spare AOA indicator available.
	Abrams Instrument Corp. (Lansing, MI) timer fire control bombing, dual. Used in the RF-4C - F-4E rear cockpits. Consists of a 115V 400 Hz motor, reduction gearing, a 28V DC clutch solenoid arrangment initiating the timers, two cam followers and and snap action switches that direct the 28V DC to the timer signal outputs T1 and T2. Pin connections: A= GND, B= 115 V 400 Hz, E= 28 VDC, G= T1 signal, J= GND, K= initiate 28V DC, L= T2 signal and M= 14/28 V AC lighting. Source TO 1F-4C-2-18.

	AVK-14/A24G-8 True airspeed indicator made by Airesearch.
	ID-1126/ASN-46 Ground speed indicator manufactured by Bendix Corp., Detroit, Michigan. Located in the F-4C aft cockpit instrument panel. On some early F-4D aircraft this indicator was also found next to the fuel gauge on the main pilot's instrument panel.
	Rounds remaining counter mounted on the pedestal panel of the F-4E Phantom. Made by Veeder.Root, CW103103. Pin connections: A= +28 V DC, B= GND, C,D 14 V lighting.
	ID-1311/ASQ Remote UHF Channel indicator, manufactured by Collins Radio Company (Cedar Rapids, Iowa). Pinouts are (TDDR-50 Series F-4D Trouble Shooting Manual, 1967): A,B,C,D,E,R,S = indicator control, F,H = motor rotation, G = Power GND, J = GND light, K = +5 V lighting, L = +28 V DC power, M,N,P = not connected.
	ID2244/ARC-164(V) remote UHF channel indicator with LCD display that was presumably used in the F-4 to replace the older version shown above. This indicator was used with the controls radio set C-10832/ARC-164(V) and C-11099/ARC-164(V). It has lighting at pins j (ground) and k (0-5 V).
	Landing checklist data plate on RF-4C, F-4C and F-4D panels. Andy is looking for a set of take-off and landing data plates to complete restoration of his F-4D panel. He would like to buy these or can swap them against a pair of F-4B take-off (see below) and landing data placards. Please check my Aviation Sales and Trades web page for details and do contact me if you have any available.
	Take off and feed tank check data placard used in the F-4D, and possibly other F-4 Phantom models.
	RF-4C KY-28 Mode indicator lights panel. Indicator light lenses are missing. These indicator lights are located on the center glare shield.
	Wheels indicator light as used on the F-4C and F-4D main pilot's instrument panels.
	These are the RADAR (green), HEAT (green), GUN (green) and ARM (amber) indicator lights (last two lenses missing) mounted next to the left side of the optical radar sight in the F-4E.
	Wheels indicator of the F-4E. This indicator is mounted below the center glare shield on the port side.
	Velocity indicator lights of the F-4E, reading 5, 10, 25 and 50 in green. These lights are mounted below the center glare shield on the starboard side.
	Angle of attack indexer light and SHOOT light. These were mounted at both sides of the radar scope HUD and used to get the right angle of attack during approach and to indicate when to shoot.
F-4D Missile and Weapons Release control panel (Photo courtesy of Andy). Both Andy and Pierre are desperately trying to get such a panel and the rotary switch/knob for the restoration of their F-4D panels (see above). Please contact me if you have one available or have a contact who might have...

In addition to these gauges, indicator lights and switches, there are the following control panels on the main panel (list not yet complete).

	Threat warning display panel. This version was presumably used in the Israeli Air Force F-4E aircraft
The lights in this unit read "selected" (green), "ready" (amber), "selected" (green), "ready" (amber), "sw/sw" (green), "selected" (green) and "ready" (amber). Lighting for the edge light panel: A ground, E +28 V AC	USAF missile status panel from Master Specialties Co. California, USA. Manufactured in September 1965. This panel is used in Air Force F-4Es and some export models that came out after 1966. It was retro-fitted into F-4C/D aircraft when Navy versions used earlier (see below) needed replacement and was on production F-4E's prior to the re-design of the front cockpit for air-to-air optimization.
	Typical RF-4C pedestal panel. Houses a bomber timer and the various oil pressure gauges for the engines and hydraulic system (Image courtesy of Pierre). Pierre is looking for an edgelit data placard for this pedestal panel as the current one is broken. Please contact him send him an e-mail if you can help him...
	F-4D pedestal panel located below the main pilot's instrument panel. Contains the master armament switch, weapon selector switches, HOBO/Shrike band switch, bomb release mode switch, Maverick arm switch, etc., as well as the hydraulic, pneumatic and oil pressure indicators. The rheostat below is for setting instrument light brightness. The rudder pedal adjust gear is missing.

Left hand side warning lights and control panels.

F-4E (and F-4F) Regulator Oxygen Diluter-Demand Auromatic Pressure Breathing control box. This one is made by Drägerwerk (West Germany) under license from Bendix Corp. USA.

Right hand side warning lights and control panels.

	Right sub panel with warning lights. This panel is for an early F-4C aircraft. These were replaced later by the four-column panel with less wide light cubes as used in the Naval F-4B and later versions of the F-4. A few light cubes were different to reflect differences in Air Force and Navy equipment (thanks Bob for information).
	F-4E External lights and utility panel. Has switches for different lights (fuselage, wing and tail) and also a switch and rheostat to regulate the intensity of the formation lights.

Rear cockpit instruments, warning lights and control panels.

Navigation computer control box CP-723B/ASN-46. Made by the Navigation and Control Division of the Bendix corporation. This control box was used in the rear cockpit of the F-4E and operated by the radar intercept officer. This unit is part of the Inertial Navigation System. The RIO (Navigator) can dial in the Latitude and Longitude of up to two different targets, TGT1 and TGT2. After the first target is reached the switch is turned to the 2nd target and the heading to the next target is instantly displayed. At this point the RIO may dial in the co-ordinates of a third target and momentarily turn the switch to reset. This method of target selection is called leapfrogging. The Inertial Navigation System (the Gyro Stabilized Platform of the INS System) also supplies signals to the weapons release computer system and the radar unit (pers. comm. Ron Stone).
	C-4455/APQ-100 Radar antenna control stick used to control the radar antenna direction by the RIO and housed in the rear cockpit, left side panel.
	Landing gear - flaps - slats indicator panel mounted in the rear cockpit of F-4E Phantoms, which were fitted with slats (Photo: Effy).
	AN/ALE-40 Chaff and Flare control panel used in the F-4E after the late 1970s.
	F-4E rear cockpit electronic counter measures (ECM) control panel
	Lear Siegler ID-1942/A data display panel as mounted in the rear cockpit of later versions of the F-4E Phantom.
	Litton C-6481A/ASQ-91 radar cursor control panel, located on the right console in the rear cockpit. Used in F-4D and F-4E aircraft.
	Nuclear store consent arming switch, located on the left console in the rear cockpit. Used in F-4D and F-4E aircraft.

Links to other F-4 Phantom sites

• The Phantom II Society web page
• USAF F-4C panel: Panel restoration project from Dale
• Restored F-4D 66-7763 front and F-4D 66-7529 rear instrument panels. Excellent site from Henry showing detailed images of his panels, as well as images of the lighted panels, overlays and instruments.
• Bob's F-4C 64-0758 instrument panels and ejection seat
  
• The Pixelpushers-Inc web site: Specialised in animation including very realistic F-4 Phantom and F-104 Starfighter 3D models. They build 3D models or virtual environments for multimedia projects, movie, animation, video game, magazine, website, 3D simulator, accident reconstruction, product showcasing and any other project which requires a 3D representation of an object or surrounding. Check it out!!!
• Joe Baugher's F-4 Phantom II page Most comprehensive F-4 encyclopedia on the web for all F-4 models.
• F-4E flight simulator system: Images of instruments and panel from Justin Messenger
• Aircraft Resource Center's F-4G page
• Michel's F-4 Phantom web site: Lots of F-4 images.
• Uwe Steenweg's web site dedicated to the 5057 F-4 Phantoms ever build, includes a forum, image galleries, links and lots of other information....
  

Other links

• My home page at http://members.chello.nl/m.waterloo.
• Boneyard2U sells parts from USAF and Navy aircraft (F-4, A-7, S-2, A-4, F-8, B-52 and others) and from commercial airliners. I do recommended a visit to Lee's site or his Ebay store.
• X-Plane from Laminar Research: a powerful flight simulator has the most realistic flight model available for personal computers. A pro is that it works under windows, MacOS and Linux and even includes MARS scenery!!! Demos are available on the web site.
• www.flight-manuals-on-cd.com is maintained by a collector who has a huge collection of flight manuals on CD for sale, including those for the RAF F-4 Phantoms.
  
• Aero Plus Aircraft Manuals site: Huge library of aircraft manuals
• Excellent aircraft instrument panel site with lots of images from cockpits and instrument panels
• Airliners.net: commercial aviation center with lots of images
• USAF T-33 and F-100F panel restoration projects from Dale
• Aircraft Resource Center: walk-around images of a huge number of aircraft
• Simviation flight simulator site
• eFLIGHTMANUALS: Leader in CD-based flight manuals for the military Warbird community
• Essco Aircraft: Flight manuals for sale...
• US Military Aircraft
• The AMARC experience: Military aircraft storage center in Arizona
• Joe Baugher's home page: Aircraft tail number listings and other useful information
• www.flight-parts.com buys and sells military aircraft parts from 1950 to current airplanes. Located in the USA and does not export...