The F-4E variant was an improved version of the C/D with an elongated nose and compact radar. These two things made it possible to install a 20mm M61A1 6 barrel 640 round Vulcan gun pod in the nose. The F-4E was the most produced variant with 1387 aircraft being made over its 12 year production period. The “E” also equipped more air forces than any other variant of the Phantom II.

The first F-4Es were delivered to the Israeli Air Force in 1969 and were nicknamed Kurnass (Sledgehammer) with the RF-4Es being called Orev (Raven). These aircraft were comprised of ex-USAF aircraft as well as new built. Israel became the largest non-USA operator of the F-4. McDonnell F-4E Phantom II 69-7241 MSN 3912 was transferred to the Israeli Air Force in 1970 as serial 119 and then 109 and even later 519. In 1980 improvements to the F-4E began which would make the aircraft even more deadly and this is when the term Kurnass became official.

Specifications McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II

• Engines – (2) General Electric J79-GE-17 turbojets
• Thrust – 11,870 lb. st dry, 17,900 lb. st with afterburners
• Fuel Maximum internal fuel - fuselage tanks 1,364 US gallons (up to block 40) and 1,225 US gallons (from block 41 on).
• Additional - 630 gallons of fuel in internal wing tanks.
• External fuel load - 600 US gallons centerline tank
• Additional - 370 US gallons tanks under each wing attached to the outer pylon
• Total fuel load - 3334 US gallons (up to block 40) or 3195 US gallons (from block 41 on)
• Performance
• Maximum speed
• 1,430 mph at 36,000 ft (Mach 2.21) 914 mph at sea level (Mach 1.19)
• Cruising speed – 585 mph
• Landing speed – 158 mph
• Initial climb rate – 61,400 fpm
• Service ceiling – 62,250 ft
• Combat ceiling – 59,600 ft
• Combat range - 595 miles
• Maximum range - 1885 miles with maximum external fuel
• Weights
• Empty - 29,535 lbs
• Gross - 40,562 lbs
• Combat - 38,019 lbs
• Take off - 61,651 lbs
• Dimensions
• Wingspan - 38 ft 5 in
• Wing area - 530 sq ft
• Length - 63 ft 0 in
• Height - 16 ft 6 in

Armament

• (1) 20-mm M61A1 cannon with 639 rounds in an under-nose gondola
• (4) AIM-7 Sparrow semi-active radar homing air-to-air missiles in semi-recessed slots in the fuselage belly.
• (2) to (4) AIM-9 Sidewinder infra-red homing air-to-air missiles carried under the wings on the inboard pylons.
• Total offensive load of up to 16,000 pounds could be carried on the centerline and four under- wing hard-points.

Info: F-4E "Kurnass" s/n 109, 201st Sqn. "The One", Tel Nof Air Base, Israel Air Force, 1974