RAF/FAA RF-4.

[chrisonord]

I couldn't decide on where to ask this question so thought I would shove it here. I have an Airfix Phantom FGR-2  in the stash, and was thinking of putting an RF-4 nose on it as I have a set of them. Question is and yes, I have scoured the net for a definate answer, does the RF -4 still have a radar in its nose? I want mine to be armed also along with the cameras. I am thinking of an RAF version, armed with ground pounding ordnance, and obligatory skyflash AAM's, and or sidewinders.
Cheers.

[scooter]

According to Wiki:

The RF-4B/C mounted an AN/APQ-99 radar and carried a HIAC-1 LOROP camera pod on the centerline, but ANG RF-4Cs were modified to carry Sidewinders.

[chrisonord]

According to Wiki:

The RF-4B/C mounted an AN/APQ-99 radar and carried a HIAC-1 LOROP camera pod on the centerline, but ANG RF-4Cs were modified to carry Sidewinders.

Thanks Scooter, The nose sections I have are dedeicated camera noses, and i wondered if there would be a radar in the nose too or would it affect the cameras.

[PR19_Kit]

It's a much smaller, and less capable set on the RFs than the sets on the pure 'fighters'.

[Gondor]

The carriage of external weapons and their ability to be used to the best of their potential will depend on what the aircraft carries to target those weapons.

According to Wikipedia
"Developed by TI as a multi-modes radar, in addition to terrain avoidance and terrain-following modes, and AN/APQ-99 can also be used for ground mapping. Smaller in size then the Westinghouse AN/APQ-72 and fitted in the nose of for A-7A, RF-4B/C. AN/APQ-99 is also supplied to Germany, Iran and Japan."

So that radar is great for helping the aircraft get around and not fly into anything, not much use for anything else. Saying that, air-to-air weaponry comes in several flavours, self guidance and others. Self guided can be either inferred seaking missiles or something like the AIM-120 which is a fire and forget missile as it carries it's own guidance radar, I beleive that it would need the target illuminated initially though, same as the AIM-54. A version of the AN/APQ-99 could, at least in whiff world, be given that ability. The same would go for air-to ground weapons although dumb weapons would not need much added to the cockpit to help aim and launch them, same with smart weapons as long as they are dropping the weapons and someone else is painting the target.

I always believe in keeping things simple and believable so would suggest that you simply arm the aircraft with sidewinders as normal and leave it at that other than tanks on the other three pylons. It's up to you though as it's your model.

Gondor

[chrisonord]

Thankyou for the information Kit and Gondor, much appreciated. my Phantom will be in service during the 1970's and could be as not decided as yet doing rotational service during operation Saladin. The aircraft will theoretically only need the bare minimum of self defence weapons (AAM.s) due to the insurgents being ground based only. The aircraft will be doing photo reccon missions with the abilty to engage ground targets of oppertunity. rocket pods free fall bombs and a gun pod will probably be its load out. The radar you describe will do what is needed for that scenario I should have thought.

[jcf]

The Hellenic Air Force operated RF-4E were armed with four Sidewinders for self-defense. Other operators also upgraded their RF-4E aircraft to use weapons, missiles for self-defense but also ordnance for ground attack.

[chrisonord]

The Hellenic Air Force operated RF-4E were armed with four Sidewinders for self-defense. Other operators also upgraded their RF-4E aircraft to use weapons, missiles for self-defense but also ordnance for ground attack.

Cheers JCF, I will have to dig out my Phantom and find where I put the set of RF noses, and test fit them

[Dizzyfugu]

German RF-4Es were able to drop cluster bombs (BL 755s) in a secondary attack role.

[Gondor]

Just remembered that there was a proposal from McDonnell to the UK government for a Reconnaissance version of the F-4K/M airframe. It was decided, probably by the Treasury, that the UK could not afford to have a dedicated reconnaissance aircraft and that an aircraft that could carry a external load that could do the same thing was a better option.

Gondor

[PR19_Kit]

Thus the socking great EMI recce pod. Was there ever one as big anywhere? 

[Gondor]

Thus the socking great EMI recce pod. Was there ever one as big anywhere? 

Yes, the HIAC 1 pod was about the same size. See HERE

Gondor