McDonnell F-4C, RF-4C, F-4D and F-4E Phantom II USAF aircraft co*ckpit instrument panel layouts (2024)

The USAF F-4C Phantom

The USAF tested the Navy F-4B in 1961 to see if it could serve asits main tactical fighter aircraft and decided to approve of a USAFversion that was designated F-4C. The first F-4C prototype flew in May1963 and production deliveries began in November 1963. The aircraft wasmodified with larger tyres as compared to its Navy counterpart andthe rear co*ckpit was reconfigured so that the rear-seat crewman couldalso fly the plane. Tailhook, radome and hydraulic folding wings wereretained. It used two J79-GE-15 engines and had a RAM air turbine. Theradar set consisted of a AN/APQ-100 radar and there was a AN/APA-157intercept computer. The production stopped in 1966 when 583 F-4Cs werebuilt.

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

The images below show typical F-4C Phantom II co*ckpit layouts andinstrument panels. Click on the images to view larger versions.

F-4C, F-4D and F-4E Phantom II high resolution co*ckpits forcomputer flight simulation

Streak Eagle has designed very nice high resolution F-4C, D and Eco*ckpits, that are partly based on the images shown below. If you arelooking for a high resolution F-4 Phantom co*ckpits for your flightsimulator, check out his versions at CombatACE F-4C Hi-res co*ckpit, CombatACE F-4D Hi-res co*ckpit, and CombatACE F-4E Hi-res co*ckpit. These co*ckpits are also available on AVSIM.

RF-4C panel

Photograph of an RF-4C Phantom co*ckpit main instrument panel.

F-4C panel restoration by Dave Garbe

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

Dave Garbe's restored F-4C Phantom co*ckpit main instrument panel

F-4C co*ckpit project of Renzo Delnon

In Switzerland, Renzo Delnon has turned his home inVillars-sur-Glâne into an aviation museum that is open tovisitors after making an appointment. He can be contacted through theVillars-sur-Glâneweb site (in French, with telephone number and e-mail address). Anewspaper article about his museum was published in LaLiberté Journal (in French).

Renzo is working on the restoration of a beautiful F-4C co*ckpitsection, which includes part of the windshield, the upper fuselage aswell as the rudder pedals. Images of his project are shown below. Heis presently wiring the instruments to get all systems lighted.

Front view of Renzo's F-4C Phantom co*ckpit section with main instrument panel.

Side view of Renzo's F-4C Phantom co*ckpit section.

USAF McDonnell F-4D Phantom

After gaining experience with the F-4C, the USAF decided uponmodifications to the aircraft to enhance its air-to-ground capabilitieswithout major structural modifications. These changes included aAN/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 releasecomputer was added. The F-4D became involved in combat operations inSoutheast Asia in May 1967. The USAF relegated most of the F-4Cs to a groundattack role, while the F-4Ds were used for air-to-air interceptionduties. Its weapons included the usual AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-9Sidewinder missiles, but the F-4D could also launch the unsuccessfulFalcon missiles. Both F-4C and F-4D did not have a canon. For moreinformation about the F-4D please visit Joe BaughersF-4D web site.

The front and rear co*ckpit layouts of a typical F-4D Phantom areshown below, whereas images of an F-4D frontinstument panel and an F-4D rearinstrument panel can be viewed on the TopFlightImaging web site of Henry Busch, as well as information on scalemodelling, scale trains and a Martin Baker MKH7 ejection seat from theUSAF.

The system integration of the F-4D consists of the following avionics systems:

• Air data computer set (ADC) CPK-71/A24G-25
• Attitude reference bombing computer set AN/AJB-7
• Automatic flight control system AN/ASA-32H
• Flight director group, navigation computer set AN/ASN-46A -
• Radar set AN/APQ-109
• Radar set group AN/APA-165 (Aircraf 64-970 and subsequent)
• Inertial navigation set AN/ASN-63
• Intergrated electronic central AN/ASQ-19
• Still picture direct radar scope recording system

These systems are all inter-related and functioning together. (Source:McDonnell Product Support Division (1967). F-4D Aircraft TDDR-50series trouble shooting manual, Vol. V).

Several F-4D Phantoms were equipped with a time-frequency EliminateRange-zero (EROS) Collision Avoidance System (CAS), developped byMcDonnell, which consisted of a CAS pod (installed in the left inboardforward missile cavity), an antenna and door assembly installed on topof the fuselage just behind the aft canopy (door 35) and an EROSindicator and control box in the main pilot's panel left of the HSI(see below). The system becomes active when another aircraftapproaches within 25 seconds or to a distance of half a mile and thensuggests changes of altitude to both aircraft carrying this system.

McDonnell EROS Collission avoidance system as installed in some F-4D aircraft (Source:McDonnell Product Support Division (1967). F-4D Aircraft TDDR-50series trouble shooting manual, Vol. V).

Early F-4D panel restoration by Andy

After successfully completing restoration of several instrumentpanels, Andy from Canada has embarked on a new project, i.e. restoringan early F-4D panel. There was some confusion if this was an F-4C orF-4D panel, which was solved by Bob Dwyer, who is an ex-pilot with a lotof 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 CHECKplacard to complete his panel. Click hereto see a more elaborate request including a picture of the edge-litplacard. Please contact me if you have one of these available...

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

Andy's earlier projects were a beautiful F-101B Voodoo frontco*ckpit instrument panel and an AVRO CF-100 Canuck instrument panel (seebelow). These projects took him several years to complete.

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 Phantomco*ckpit-nose section (tail no. 65-0720) for static display. He islooking for instruments, ejection seat, other parts and especiallytechnical manuals or references to complete his restoration (see imagesbelow for missing instruments). If you have any available, pleasecontact me at aviation@watergeek.eu.More information about Dave Garbe's project can be found here.

Restoration of F-4D pilot's panel by Jeff

Also in the USA, Jeff is close to complete restoration of his F-4Dmain instrument panel. He is still looking for an original USAF threatdisplay indicator unit, which are always difficult to find. The image belowshow the panel as it is now.

USAF F-4E Phantom

The first production F-4Es flew in 1967. The aircraft was poweredby two General Electric J79-GE-17 high-trust, axial flow turbojetengines equipped with afterburner. Leading-edge flaps were replaced bytwo-position slats to improve stability at low airspeeds and armorplating was installed in later versions of the aircraft to protect theoxygen bay, hydraulic/engine fuel feed compartment and stabilatoractuator. This aircraft also included a 20 mm internal nose-mountedcannon and retained the semi-recessed AIM-7 Sparrow missiles andexternal stores stations.

General arrangement of the F-4E.

F-4E Phantom II in flight(source: 1965 McDonnell press kit made available by Daniel Lehmann (seewww.aero-lehmann.de).

USAF F-4E Phantom II with adisplay of its weaponry: M61A1 nose gun, Raytheon AIM-7 Sparrow (white)and Hughes AIM-4D Falcon (white/red) air-to-air missiles. McDonnellDouglas photograph (D4C 48784) dated 8 Nov. 1967. Source: Daniel Lehmann(see www.aero-lehmann.de).

Example of a Phantom F-4E frontco*ckpit instrument panel.

F-4E Phantom mobile nose section for events

Joe from St. Louis or Bethalto, Illinois, has beautifully restored an F-4E Phantom co*ckpit section. This section has been mounted on a mobile platform and it is possible to have this F-4E Phantom co*ckpit 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 aircraftare shown below. Please visit my F-4B/N(main panel) and F-4J/S Phantom II (rearpanel) pages to view instruments common to most F-4 aircraft. Electricalconnections for lighting the instruments are also given on these pages.

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

The ID-1090/APN-155 radar altimeter made by theRadio Corporation of America. Located on the main pilot's instrumentpanel. The set is a pulsed range-tracking radar, that provides thepilot with accurate terrain clearance information from 0 to 5000feet. The set consists of two identical antennas, a receiver -transmitter unit, an R-F switching unit and this indicator. Thereceiving antenna is on the lower left front fuselage near theleft-inboard leading-edge flap, whereas the transmitting antenna ison the corresponding spot on the starboard side. The radar altimeterfunctions up to 30° bank angles and 50° pitch angles. A lowaltitude warning light is mounted. Displayed in USAF F-4D and F-4Eflight manuals. Pinouts are (source TDDR-50D F-4D trouble shootingmanual vol. 5): A= 115 V AC to receiver/transmitter, B= 115 V ACinput from Aircraft supply, C= GND, D= self test signal to coaxswitches, E= +20 V DC reference, F= indicator drive signal toindicator counter in receiver/transmitter, G= indicator drive signalreturn, J= flag signal from search generator in receiver/transmitter,K= +28 V DC from aircraft supply, L= 0-5 V AC input from aircraftlighting bus, N= lighting GND, P= GND, R= +20 V DC fromreceiver/transmitter, S= error signal from indicator counter inreceiver/transmitter, U= +28V DC to receiver/transmitter.
	Pioneer - Bendix Corp. airspeed and mach number indicator.
	C-8160/A Flight director mode selector, made by CollinsRadio Corp.
	C-10311/A Control, modeselector 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 anRF-4C aircraft. Located on main pilot's instrument panel.
	Flight instrument lightsbrightness 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 theRIO's instrument panel. Integrally lighted (5 V) and operating on 28V DC.
	At least two different ARK-10A/A24G-8 angle of attackindicators with different pinouts were used on the F-4C/D/E. Bothwere made by Specialties Inc. (MFR code 10639). More informationprovided on my F-4B/N page. I have a spare AOA indicator available.
	Abrams Instrument Corp. (Lansing, MI) timer fire controlbombing, dual. Used in the RF-4C - F-4E rear co*ckpits. Consists of a115V 400 Hz motor, reduction gearing, a 28V DC clutch solenoidarrangment initiating the timers, two cam followers and and snapaction switches that direct the 28V DC to the timer signal outputs T1and T2. Pin connections: A= GND, B= 115 V 400 Hz, E= 28 VDC, G= T1signal, J= GND, K= initiate 28V DC, L= T2 signal and M= 14/28 V AClighting. 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 BendixCorp., Detroit, Michigan. Located in the F-4C aft co*ckpit instrumentpanel. On some early F-4D aircraft this indicator was also found nextto the fuel gauge on the main pilot's instrument panel.
	Rounds remaining counter mounted on the pedestal panel ofthe 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 byCollins Radio Company (Cedar Rapids, Iowa). Pinouts are (TDDR-50Series F-4D Trouble Shooting Manual, 1967): A,B,C,D,E,R,S = indicatorcontrol, F,H = motor rotation, G = Power GND, J = GND light, K = +5 Vlighting, L = +28 V DC power, M,N,P = not connected.
	ID2244/ARC-164(V) remote UHF channel indicator with LCDdisplay that was presumably used in the F-4 to replace the olderversion shown above. This indicator was used with the controls radioset C-10832/ARC-164(V) and C-11099/ARC-164(V). It has lighting atpins 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 tocomplete restoration of his F-4D panel. He would like to buy these orcan swap them against a pair of F-4B take-off (see below) and landingdata placards. Please check my AviationSales and Trades web page for details and do contact me if you haveany available.
	Take off and feed tank checkdata placard used in the F-4D, and possibly other F-4 Phantom models.
	RF-4C KY-28 Mode indicator lights panel. Indicator lightlenses are missing. These indicator lights are located on the centerglare shield.
	Wheels indicator light as usedon 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 twolenses missing) mounted next to the left side of the optical radarsight in the F-4E.
	Wheels indicator of the F-4E.This indicator is mounted below the center glare shield on the portside.
	Velocity indicator lights ofthe F-4E, reading 5, 10, 25 and 50 in green. These lights are mountedbelow the center glare shield on the starboard side.
	Angle of attack indexer lightand SHOOT light. These were mounted at both sides of the radar scopeHUD and used to get the right angle of attack during approach and toindicate when to shoot.
F-4DMissile and Weapons Release control panel (Photo courtesy of Andy).

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

	AN/APR-36(V) Threat Display controlindicator unit produced by Applied Technology,Division of Itek Corporation, USA. Used inF-4D, F-4E and F-4F Phantom aircraft before TO1F-4E-591.
The ID1902/APR-46V Threat Display control indicator was used instead of the APR-36V unit shown above after TO-1F-4E-591C (Source: TO 1F-4E-4-4 Technical Manual. Illustrated parts breakdown. USAF Series F-4E Aircraft. Volume IV: Instruments, electric, and electronic systems).
	Threat warning display panel produced byA.E.L. Israel Ltd Electronics Industries in1983. Used in Israeli Air Force F-4E Phantomaircraft.
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: Aground, E +28 V AC	USAF missile status panel from Master Specialties Co.California, USA. Manufactured in September 1965. This panel is usedin 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 usedearlier (see below) needed replacement and was on production F-4E'sprior to the re-design of the front co*ckpit for air-to-airoptimization.
	Typical RF-4C pedestal panel.
	F-4D pedestal panel located below the main pilot'sinstrument panel. Contains the master armament switch, weaponselector switches, HOBO/Shrike band switch, bomb release mode switch,Maverick arm switch, etc., as well as the hydraulic, pneumatic andoil pressure indicators. The rheostat below is for setting instrumentlight 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 AuromaticPressure 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 anearly F-4C aircraft. These were replaced later by the four-columnpanel with less wide light cubes as used in the Naval F-4B and laterversions of the F-4. A few light cubes were different to reflectdifferences in Air Force and Navy equipment (thanks Bob forinformation).
	F-4E External lights and utility panel. Has switches fordifferent lights (fuselage, wing and tail) and also a switch andrheostat to regulate the intensity of the formation lights.

Rear co*ckpit instruments, warning lights and control panels.

Navigation computer control box CP-723B/ASN-46.Made by the Navigation and Control Division of the Bendixcorporation. This control box was used in the rear co*ckpit of theF-4E and operated by the radar intercept officer. This unit is partof the Inertial Navigation System. The RIO (Navigator) can dial inthe Latitude and Longitude of up to two different targets, TGT1 andTGT2. After the first target is reached the switch is turned to the 2ndtarget and the heading to the next target is instantly displayed. Atthis point the RIO may dial in the co-ordinates of a third target andmomentarily turn the switch to reset. This method of target selectionis called leapfrogging. The Inertial Navigation System (theGyro Stabilized Platform of the INS System) also supplies signals tothe weapons release computer system and the radar unit (pers. comm.Ron Stone).
	C-4455/APQ-100 Radar antenna control stick used to controlthe radar antenna direction by the RIO and housed in the rearco*ckpit, left side panel.
	F-4E radar voltage control monitor panelused to control and monitor the voltagesupplied to the radar unit by the RIO. Housedin the rear co*ckpit, center console.
	Landing gear - flaps - slats indicator panel mounted in therear co*ckpit of F-4E Phantoms, which were fitted with slats (Photo:Effy).
	AN/ALE-40 Chaff and Flare control panel used in the F-4Eafter the late 1970s.
	F-4E rear co*ckpit electronic counter measures (ECM) controlpanel
	Lear Siegler ID-1942/A data display panel as mounted in therear co*ckpit of later versions of the F-4E Phantom.
	Litton C-6481A/ASQ-91 radar cursor control panel, located onthe right console in the rear co*ckpit. Used in F-4D and F-4Eaircraft.
	Nuclear store consent arming switch, located on the leftconsole in the rear co*ckpit. Used in F-4D and F-4E aircraft.

Links to other F-4 Phantom sites

• The Phantom II Societyweb page
• USAFF-4C panel: Panel restoration project from Dale
• RestoredF-4D 66-7763 front and F-4D 66-7529 rear instrument panels. Excellentsite from Henry showing detailed images of his panels, as well asimages of the lighted panels, overlays and instruments.
• Bob'sF-4C 64-0758 instrument panels and ejection seat
  
• The Pixelpushers-Incweb site: Specialised in animation including very realistic F-4 Phantomand F-104 Starfighter 3D models. They build 3D models or virtualenvironments for multimedia projects, movie, animation, video game,magazine, website, 3D simulator, accident reconstruction, productshowcasing and any other project which requires a 3D representation ofan object or surrounding. Check it out!!!
• JoeBaugher's F-4 Phantom II page Most comprehensive F-4 encyclopedia onthe web for all F-4 models.
• F-4Eflight simulator system: Images of instruments and panel from JustinMessenger
• 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 otherinformation....
  

Other links

• My home page at http://members.chello.nl/m.waterloo.
• X-Plane fromLaminar Research: a powerful flight simulator has the most realisticflight model available for personal computers. A pro is that it worksunder windows, MacOS and Linux and even includes MARS scenery!!! Demosare available on the web site.
• www.flight-manuals-on-cd.comis maintained by a collector who has a huge collection of flightmanuals on CD for sale, including those for the RAF F-4 Phantoms.
  
• Aero Plus AircraftManuals site: Huge library of aircraft manuals
• Excellent aircraftinstrument panel site with lots of images from co*ckpits and instrumentpanels
• Airliners.net:commercial aviation center with lots of images
• USAF T-33 andF-100F panel restoration projects from Dale
• AircraftResource Center: walk-around images of a huge number of aircraft
• Simviation flightsimulator site
• eFLIGHTMANUALS:Leader in CD-based flight manuals for the military Warbird community
• Essco Aircraft:Flight manuals for sale...
• USMilitary Aircraft
• The AMARCexperience: Military aircraft storage center in Arizona
• Joe Baugher'shome page: Aircraft tail number listings and other useful information
• www.flight-parts.combuys and sells military aircraft parts from 1950 to current airplanes.Located in the USA and does not export...

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