[Fictional] McDonnell Douglas F-4E 'ADC' USAF 2

McDonnell Douglas Phantom F-4E 'ADC' for Strike Fighters 2

This is a simple mod of the stock F-4E_72 to make a fictional interceptor version of the Phantom for service with the USAF in the 1973 to 1998 timeline. 'What if' markings for four ANG squadrons are included;

1. 111th Fighter Interceptor Squadron - Texas ANG

2. 119th Fighter Interceptor Squadron - New Jersey ANG

3. 186th Fighter Interceptor Squadron - Montana ANG

4. 198th Fighter Interceptor Squadron - Puerto Rico ANG

BACKSTORY

During early 1970 a USAF review of America's air defence assets highlighted the increasing obsolescence of several aircraft including the F-101, F-102 and F-104 and whilst early F-4C Phantoms were trickling down to the ANG units McDonnell Douglas could see an opportunity to sell an optimised 'Air Defense' version of the F-4E to the USAF to swiftly and cost-effectively modernise a large proportion of Aerespace Defense Command. During this time McDonnell Douglas had studied various single-seat or stripped-down versions of the F-4 for the German Air Force but for the USAF they proposed a version of the slatted F-4E with all air-to-ground capability removed, slightly more powerful 'clean burn' J79 engines, simplified air-to-air only radar and the new solid-state AIM-7F Sparrow missile offering longer range with its two-stage rocket motor.

By this time the massive production run of the F-4 had meant that the fly-away unit cost for this simplified version of the F-4E made it one of the cheapest Phantoms ever and such was the confidence that the USAF had in McDonnell Douglas that in March 1971 they simply asked for a fixed-price quotation for 300 F-4E 'ADC' aircraft and ordered them in April 1971! First flown in June 1972 the F-4E 'ADC' were delivered in a smart and glossy 'air defense' grey scheme and entered service with  the 198th Fighter Interceptor Squadron of the Puerto Rico ANG in February 1973 replacing the F-104C's and F-104D's of that unit. Sadly, eight of the 198th's Phantoms were destroyed in a terrorist attack at Muniz ANGB in January 1981 and the unit operated several 'standard' F-4E's until 'ADC' versions could be allocated to them.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. From the AIRCRAFT folder drag and drop the F-4E_ADC folder into your Aircraft folder.

2. From the DECALS folder drag and drop the F-4E_ADC folder into your Decals folder.

That's it!
 

CREDITS

As always, thanks to Third Wire for a great little game/sim.

And, finally, thanks to everyone in the wider Third Wire community.

Regards 

Spinners

Version 2 - January 5th, 2024