F-4T

[Shasper]

This is the 2nd of three IAI joint project involvement during the IEFX comp. This is the 'new' F-4T, based on MDDs earlier air-defense optimised F-4 proposal. the RIO was replaced by a downgraded weapons computer from the F-15A, standard APQ-138 () radar, but AIM-7 capability was downgraded to the earlier E/F version. To keep the range requirements, all three wet hardpoints were deactivated, and the centerline point was replaced by a conformal weaps palate.

[Shasper]

2 J79 engines power the Tango, with the PW F403-1120 (from a defunk Navy F-4 re-engining program) as a alt.

[Tophe]

With this F-4T name... have you (or someone) considered - apart of weapons/engines changes - having a T-tail on F-4? If yes: horizontal, or with dihedral (downward or upward?)?

[Shasper]

The weaopn under the right wing is a Mitsubishi AGM-3 unguided glidebomb and a ballast pod under the left. I plan un sticking a few 500lbs bombs on the palate eventualy.


Shas B)  

[elmayerle]

With this F-4T name... have you (or someone) considered - apart of weapons/engines changes - having a T-tail on F-4? If yes: horizontal, or with dihedral (downward or upward?)?

After the problems the F-101 had with its T-tail, I seriously doubt that McAir ever again considered one.  Deep-stall, where the flow-field from the wing blanks the horizontal T-tail  and causes an extreme pitch-up, is not a good characteristic for a dog-fighter.  The F-104 suffered from the same problem, but neither the F-101 nor the F-104 were ever considered dogfighters.

[Tophe]

So Shasper was absolutely right! And extra canards are good for dogfight moreover...

[elmayerle]

Definitely the way to go in this case, though I like the slightly larger canards of the F-4CCV.

[K5054NZ]

How can you possibly go wrong with canaaaards? Beautiful.....

[anthonyp]

Bigger canards, like Evan said.  Definately bigger canards.  I remember seeing the F-4 CCV at the US Air Force Museaum about 15 years ago.  That was one good looking plane up close.  Add the fin tip antennae/sensor from the F-4G.

Maybe cut down another set of F-4 tails, or something else?

[Shasper]

Been thinking about a new set of Canards, but then again pres. Carter specified that range and peformance were to be diminshed compared to the US/1st world allied airforces. Now the F-4 was already horrible compared to the Teen series in terms of agility, hence the smaller canards.


Shas B)  

[K5054NZ]

Those are the canards? Oh. Um. BIGGER!

BIGGER CANARDS!!!![/SIZE]

[Shasper]

Screw the bigger canards! (well, maybe I will, after I get out oif this dump known as English 101!)

I'm already thinking about doing another one, but based on the F-4C/D airframe (F-4P).

Finally came up w/a backstory:

F-4T
Air Vehicle no.1
Eglin AFB, Florida
Summer 1981


In the Mid-70's MDD looked at re-rolling its F-4E into a dedicated interceptor, by removing the air to ground capability and replacing the WSO w/a modified digital targeting computer from the F-15A. Citing that the F-4 was 'old technology', no customers expressed any interest, and the project was shelved. While this project didn't amount to anything, it did lay the groundwork for a simplified F-4 variant aimed at the export market.

The F-4T was resurrected in 1979 for a requirement from the FMS for a specific export fighter with diminished performance in weapons carriage and range, when compared to US aircraft. MDD accomplished this by removing the external fuel tank capability from the outer under wing stations and replacing the centerline hard point with a new-designed Conformal Weapons Pallet, capable of carrying ordnance. The APQ-120 radar system had some of its modes removed, a downgraded targeting computer installed (in place of the WSO), and a pair of canards were mounted to the intakes. 2 GE J79-17 engines power the aircraft, although the newer -17X with its Combat-Plus feature and the P&W F403-1120 are alternatives.

Armament consisted of the 20mm Vulcan cannon, 4 AIM-9 Sidewinders and 4 AIM-7 Sparrow missiles, and up to 12,000lbs of ordnance on 4 underwing pylons and the centerline pallet. Air to ground ordnance consists of Mk. Series gen. purpose bombs, cluster bombs, precision-guided munitions and rocket pods.  The CWF could hold 4 500lb-1000lb bombs in pairs, 2 laser guided bombs or 1 GBU-8 Hobo EO guided bomb.

1 prototype was converted in 1979, with the 1st flight in August of that same year. The prototype was finished in a 3-tone camo of dk. Green, olive drab and gunship gray, with hi-viz markings applied. The aircraft was officially entered into the FMS-sponsored International Export FX competition in 1980. In 1981 the aircraft was used to test the Mitsubishi-designed AGM-3 unguided glide bomb.

After much demonstration but without a single order, MDD decided to close the F-4T program in 1983. The prototype was placed in storage at Davis-Monthan AFB, and stayed there until a year later when it disappeared.



Shas B)