F-4VG

[Shasper]

For those of y'all looking, I dug these up out of my archives:

The most dramatic proposed modification of the Phantom was a "swing wing" or "variable geometry" derivative of the F-4J, designated the "F-4 (FVS)", promoted in the mid-1960s by McDonnell. The wings would be shoulder-mounted and would be able to sweep from 23 to 75.5 degrees. The Navy was very leery of this idea, since the service wanted a new fighter rather than an updated version of an older one, and lobbied for the Grumman F-14 Tomcat instead.
The F-4(FV)S was a 1966 McDonnell proposal for a variable-geometry version of the Phantom. It was viewed as possible replacement for the failed General Dynamics/Grumman F-111B fleet defense fighter, and as a less expensive alternative to the Grumman F-14 Tomcat.
There were two versions envisaged--the F-4J(FV)S based on the F-4J and intended for the US Navy, and the F-4M(FV)S based on the F-4M and intended for the Royal Air Force.
The F-4J(FV)S offered a 57 percent parts commonality with the stock F-4J. Since the existing inner wing of the F-4J was too thin to accept pivots, an entirely new high-mounted wing was adopted. The inner wing glove contained the pivots and was fixed. The outer wing panels could be varied in sweep between 19 degrees and 70 degrees. The trailing edges of the variable outer wing panel contained full-span spoilers and flaps. The horizontal stabilizer was redesigned and replaced with one that had no anhedral. The new high-mounted wing required that the undercarriage be redesigned and located in the lower fuselage. Internal fuel capacity was increased from the F-4Js 2000 US gallons to 2601 US gallons. The F-4J(FV)S was to have been fitted with an AN/AWG-10 system modified to provide multi-shot capability. The primary armament was to have been four AIM-7F Sparrow air-to-air missiles.
It was anticipated that the F-4J(FV)S would have a 11 mph slower approach speed than that of the standard F-4J, and that it would have a significantly improved performance, with a higher ceiling, better acceleration times, and a shorter turning radius.
At the same time, the McDonnell company offered the F-4M(FV)S to the Royal Air Force. It bore much the same relationship to the RAF's F-4M as did the F-4J(FV)S to the US Navy's F-4J. It was to be powered by a pair of 20,154 lb.s.t. Rolls-Royce RB-168-27R turbofans. It was anticipated that production aircraft would be available by the end of 1971.
A further improved version, the F-4(FV)S was also proposed to both the US Navy and the RAF. It was to be powered by the General Electric G31/10S092B, with a first flight envisaged in March of 1971. McDonnell proposed 200 F-4M(FV)S aircraft, followed by 400 F-4(FV)S aircraft.
Neither the US Navy nor the Royal Air Force showed sufficient interest in the variable-geometry Phantom to order a prototype. In particular, the US Navy found that the capabilities of the variable-geometry Phantom were no match for those of the Grumman G-303 fighter, which was to eventually emerge as the F-14 Tomcat

[Shasper]

again

[Shasper]

^_^

[K5054NZ]

Someone. Build. This.      

[The Rat]

Okay, give Omni a peck on the cheek and tell her that you'll be 'incommunicado' for a while.

Start work tonight, we expect preliminary pics by Wednesday.

 

[retro_seventies]

i don't want to talk about this any more.

it's a very sore point.

2 years on and it's still not finished.

i have bigger scans if anybody wants them, they were shrunk some when i posted the 3 views a while ago.

[lancer]

Someone. Build. This.    

Retro is supposed to be building one of these.  

[retro_seventies]

indeed.

the fuzzy bunny child of an f-4s and am f-14, and it's getting there.

slowly.

veeeeeeery slowly.

hopefully have it finished soon-ish.  (that'll make one model in the last 2 years btw).

bah.

[SimonR]

indeed.

the fuzzy bunny child of an f-4s and am f-14, and it's getting there.

slowly.

veeeeeeery slowly.

hopefully have it finished soon-ish.  (that'll make one model in the last 2 years btw).

bah.

What main gear did you use? Flogger looks like it might work well.

[Martin H]

What main gear did you use? Flogger looks like it might work well.

id have said more like F-8 or A-7 gear.

[Jschmus]

That looks pretty cool.  I have a tiny diagram at home showing a VG F-4, but the wing is mounted low.  I always thought that looked awkward.  The shoulder-mounted wing "modernizes" the appearance of the plane.  I like it.

[elmayerle]

What main gear did you use? Flogger looks like it might work well.

id have said more like F-8 or A-7 gear.

I'd suggest the F-16's gear as another possibility, though F-8 or A-7 makes more sense from the timeline.  

[nev]

Someone. Build. This.    

Retro is supposed to be building one of these.

My first thought

I think, along with Todds harrier carrying sub, this is the longest gestated, most anticipated model on this website

[BobbyK]

Since I've been lurking around for quite a while, I figure it's time to join in!!  I do want to state that the work and creativity seen here is amazing.
    Here's my take on the F-4VG proposal.  I used the Hasegawa (old issue) F-4 kit, some F-111 wings, and sheet styrene to make up the basic fuselage/wing assembly.  The main landing gear is taken from the scrap box (came from an F-18 Hornet), slightly modified to fit a little better.  Weapons also came from the scrap box from various kits, and the decals are from a MicroScale F-4 Phantom sheet.  Sorry the pics aren't too good, but all I have access to right now is a 10 year old digital camera!!
    While I was at it, at the same time I build this beast, I also built a Royal Navy F-4HL Phantom, and an Israeli "Modernized Super F-4 Phantom".  I'll post pics of those builds if any one is interested.
   

[Bryan H.]

WOW!!!  That's beautiful BobbyK!  

Bryan