THE F4H NAVY FIGHTER

Year Published: 1960

Creator: McDonnell Aircraft Corporation

Description: Made by McDonnell Aircraft Corporation to promote their highly successful aircraft, this film "The F4H Navy Fighter" (1960?) showcases the tandem two-seat, twin-engine, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor and fighter-bomber. This aircraft entered service with the Navy in 1961 and was later adopted by the Marine Corps and the Air Force. Production ran from 1958-81 with a total of 5,195 aircraft built, making it the most produced American supersonic military aircraft in history. It was powered by two General Electric J79-2 engines and features advanced radar, armament control systems. As the film shows, the aircraft underwent rigorous flight and structural testing before its first flight on May 27, 1958. Future upgrades, including improved radar and missile systems, are discussed in the narration. According to the film (and this was borne out as true) the F4H1 significantly surpasses previous aircraft in performance and provides the Navy with a powerful new fighter. 00:00 The F4H-1 supersonic all-weather fighter with long-range special weapons attack capabilities. 0:55 - The aircraft is powered by two General Electric J79-2 engines, providing exceptional performance and reliability. Its two-man crew efficiently utilizes air-to-air missiles in various weather and enemy ECM conditions. 1:22 - The F4 was conceived in 1953 and developed by McDonnell Aircraft Corporation with advanced weapon systems, fire control, and communication equipment. The crew was designed to carry out multiple roles effectively. 2:03 - By 1955, design specifications were agreed upon, and the F4 was redesigned for radar control systems and advanced missile capabilities. Scale model testing was conducted with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics to ensure aerodynamic efficiency. 3:16 - Additional design improvements were made to enhance stability at high supersonic speeds, including adjustments to the dihedral stabilizer and vertical stabilizer. 3:43 - Extensive testing was conducted to optimize the aircraft’s aerodynamics and engine performance, including wind tunnel and free-flight tests. 4:05 - Further evaluations were made by dropping scale models and conducting rocket-boosted free-flight tests to refine aircraft stability and drag characteristics. 4:44 - As basic engineering neared completion, static tests of the aircraft were performed, focusing on safety systems such as the ejection seat. 5:17 - The construction of the F4 began in 1956, with the first aircraft nearing completion by late 1957. 5:59 - The aircraft underwent exhaustive systems checks, vibration tests, and engine run-ups to prepare for flight. 6:36 - On May 27, 1958, Bob Little, McDonnell Aircraft’s Chief Test Pilot, made the first flight of the F4, with the aircraft achieving liftoff in less than 2,000 feet. 7:17 - The F4 climbs to altitude, maintaining communication with ground stations, and demonstrating its supersonic capabilities with exceptional altitude and range. 8:00 - The F4 is capable of speeds over twice the speed of sound, carrying various external loads including fuel tanks, missiles, and nuclear weapons. 8:41 - The performance of the F4 exceeds Navy specifications due to its powerful engines and design improvements. 9:22 - Future improvements are anticipated, including a larger radar antenna and advanced missile capabilities, enhancing its combat effectiveness. 10:22 - The aircraft’s design features, including large wings and advanced flaps, allow for easy landings at conventional speeds. 10:46 - A parabrake system helps reduce landing rollout, minimizing wear on tires and brakes. 11:05 - The pilot successfully taxis the aircraft into the ramp, marking the end of the aircraft’s first successful flight, signaling the arrival of a new, superior carrier-based fighter for the U.S. Navy. The aircraft surpasses all previous models in performance and combat effectiveness.

Complete Record: Made by McDonnell Aircraft Corporation to promote their highly successful aircraft, this film "The F4H Navy Fighter" (1960?) showcases the tandem two-seat, twin-engine, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor and fighter-bomber. This aircraft entered service with the Navy in 1961 and was later adopted by the Marine Corps and the Air Force. Production ran from 1958-81 with a total of 5,195 aircraft built, making it the most produced American supersonic military aircraft in history. It was powered by two General Electric J79-2 engines and features advanced radar, armament control systems. As the film shows, the aircraft underwent rigorous flight and structural testing before its first flight on May 27, 1958. Future upgrades, including improved radar and missile systems, are discussed in the narration. According to the film (and this was borne out as true) the F4H1 significantly surpasses previous aircraft in performance and provides the Navy with a powerful new fighter. 00:00 The F4H-1 supersonic all-weather fighter with long-range special weapons attack capabilities. 0:55 - The aircraft is powered by two General Electric J79-2 engines, providing exceptional performance and reliability. Its two-man crew efficiently utilizes air-to-air missiles in various weather and enemy ECM conditions. 1:22 - The F4 was conceived in 1953 and developed by McDonnell Aircraft Corporation with advanced weapon systems, fire control, and communication equipment. The crew was designed to carry out multiple roles effectively. 2:03 - By 1955, design specifications were agreed upon, and the F4 was redesigned for radar control systems and advanced missile capabilities. Scale model testing was conducted with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics to ensure aerodynamic efficiency. 3:16 - Additional design improvements were made to enhance stability at high supersonic speeds, including adjustments to the dihedral stabilizer and vertical stabilizer. 3:43 - Extensive testing was conducted to optimize the aircraft’s aerodynamics and engine performance, including wind tunnel and free-flight tests. 4:05 - Further evaluations were made by dropping scale models and conducting rocket-boosted free-flight tests to refine aircraft stability and drag characteristics. 4:44 - As basic engineering neared completion, static tests of the aircraft were performed, focusing on safety systems such as the ejection seat. 5:17 - The construction of the F4 began in 1956, with the first aircraft nearing completion by late 1957. 5:59 - The aircraft underwent exhaustive systems checks, vibration tests, and engine run-ups to prepare for flight. 6:36 - On May 27, 1958, Bob Little, McDonnell Aircraft’s Chief Test Pilot, made the first flight of the F4, with the aircraft achieving liftoff in less than 2,000 feet. 7:17 - The F4 climbs to altitude, maintaining communication with ground stations, and demonstrating its supersonic capabilities with exceptional altitude and range. 8:00 - The F4 is capable of speeds over twice the speed of sound, carrying various external loads including fuel tanks, missiles, and nuclear weapons. 8:41 - The performance of the F4 exceeds Navy specifications due to its powerful engines and design improvements. 9:22 - Future improvements are anticipated, including a larger radar antenna and advanced missile capabilities, enhancing its combat effectiveness. 10:22 - The aircraft’s design features, including large wings and advanced flaps, allow for easy landings at conventional speeds. 10:46 - A parabrake system helps reduce landing rollout, minimizing wear on tires and brakes. 11:05 - The pilot successfully taxis the aircraft into the ramp, marking the end of the aircraft’s first successful flight, signaling the arrival of a new, superior carrier-based fighter for the U.S. Navy. The aircraft surpasses all previous models in performance and combat effectiveness.

Transcription

[Music] [Music] The F4H1 developed by the Macdonald Aircraft Corporation for the United States Navy is an advanced supersonic all-weather two-place carrierbased fighter. Primarily designed as an interceptor, 4H1 is also capable of long range special weapons attack. [Music] The airplane is powered by two General Electric J79-2 engines which provided with exceptional performance, power, and reliability. The twoman crew, pilot, and radar operator permit an efficient and effective utilization of the normal armament of air-to-air missiles under foul weather and enemy ECM environment. The F4 was originally conceived in September 1953. Macdonald Aircraft Corporation was awarded a development contract and began work on the twin engine aircraft, then designated by the Navy as the AH1. to include latest concepts in aircraft weapon systems and fire control. The aircraft was later redesigned to utilize radar armament control systems to provide advanced air-to-air missile capab navigation and communication equipment were devised to enable the twoman crew to most effectively carry out all proposed roles and missions. [Music] In July 1955, design specifications were agreed upon and the airplane was redesated as the F4. By November 1955, the F4 mockup was reviewed by the Navy. Cockpit arrangement and exterior lighting was inspected in August 1956, and the engine installation review was accomplished 3 months later. Utilizing scale models of the F4 and with the close cooperation of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, approximately 5,300 hours of wind tunnel and free-flight testing was conducted to evaluate high and low speed flight and spin characteristics. [Music] High-speed tests with a 5% solid steel model have resulted in the negative dihedral horizontal stabilizer to ensure excellent longitudinal stability at high supersonic speeds. Positive dihedral was incorporated in the outer wing panels to increase lateral stability and the vertical stabilizer was enlarged to improve directional stability at high mock numbers. Still other tests were conducted with sections of the aircraft to perfect the boundary layer control system to make certain the jet blast would not adversely affect the lowered stabilator and to ascertain that the fully automatic variable ramp engine inlet duct would assure excellent performance and pressure recovery and provide the aerodynamic efficiency required for flight at extremely high speeds. [Music] To obtain additional data concerning aircraft drag and stability, rocket boosted freeflight tests were conducted with 5% scale models. Aircraft spin characteristics also were further evaluated by dropping freeflight scale models from helicopters. As basic engineering neared completion, another significant portion of F4 development was the ground test program. Much of the structural testing was to be conducted on this static test aircraft. All systems involving safety of flight and pilot safety such as the ejection of the seat and pilot were conducted before the first flight. [Music] Aircraft control systems built in full scale have been operated and tested in hundreds of hours of simulated flight conditions covering all conceivable aspects of flight. The pilots who were to make the initial flight tests of the F4 first become familiar with characteristics of the aircraft through many hours at the controls and through the study of analog computer [Music] data. Actual construction of the F4 began in August 1956. By the end of 1957, number one aircraft was on the final assembly line and well along toward completion. Although completed in April 1958, much work still remained to be done before flight. The operation of all systems and controls had to be thoroughly checked. Vibration tests of all major components had to be made. and the extensive instrumentation was thoroughly rung out. The aircraft was then towed to the engine runup area where the engines were put through exhaustive [Music] tests. Next came the high and low speed taxi and pre-takeoff runs to determine how the aircraft would handle on the ground. [Music] On Tuesday, May 27th, 1958, Bob Little, Macdonald Aircraft Chief Test Pilot, climbs aboard for the first flight. [Music] With engines running smoothly, the F4 moves out from the [Music] ramp. Lining the aircraft up with the runway, the pilot makes his final checks and is ready for takeoff. Moving rapidly down the runway, the F4 is airborne in less than 2,000 ft. Landing gear and flaps are retracted, and the climb to altitude is on. [Music] Ground telemetering station communication is maintained with the pilot. Flight characteristics are monitored visually and permanently recorded for future study. The F4H is capable of flying at greater than twice the speed of sound, can attain extremely high altitude, and has an exceptionally long range greater than that of any previous Navy fighter. It can carry external fuel tanks, air-to-air missiles, special weapons, and a variety of other stores on stations beneath the wings and fuselage. In addition, a bombing system incorporated in the airplane permits the use of various delivery techniques of conventional and nuclear weapons. [Music] The present guaranteed performance is in most instances considerably better than the performance specified by the Navy. This is due to the greater thrust of the J79 engine and to basic design improvements in the [Music] aircraft. Still further improvement in performance is forecast when the F4 is equipped with the greater thrust-a engines. [Music] Additional improvements which will increase F4 versatility and enhance combat effectiveness already are contemplated for later models. Installation of a larger radar antenna will increase search range and scan angle. The attachment of multi-purpose pylons to the wings will enable the craft to carry additional and more advanced missiles. The inclusion of special equipment will permit effective ground control of all missions. [Music] With its generous wing area and extensive leading and trailing edge flaps, landings are easily made at conventional speeds. [Music] A parabrake is incorporated to reduce landing roll out and save tire and brake wear. [Music] The pilot taxis the F4 into the ramp. Yes, congratulations are in order because the Navy's newest carrierbased fighter is born. The thousands of man years devoted by hundreds of individuals have created not just another aircraft, but one which significantly surpasses the performance and capabilities of any aircraft now in service. The F4H1 provides the United States Navy with an even higher degree of defensive and offensive power. [Music]

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