F-4 Phantoms Phabulous 40th - 1978 Commemorative Book
Recon Phantoms
Head-on view of an RF-4B showing the reconnaissance Phantom's distinctive forward-looking camera port.
The reconnaissance versions of the Phantom use the same basic configuration and engines as the fighter and attack versions. They are all-weather, unarmed, tactical aircraft, capable of high or low altitude, day or night missions, with the speed and maneuverability to survive sophisticated air defense networks.
McDonnell's first reconnaissance Phantom, the RF-4C, was designed for the Air Force. The RF-4B, designed for the Marine Corps, is basically an F-4B with the RF-4C nose. The international RF-4E is the only modern production reconnaissance aircraft available in the free world today.
All versions contain cameras and other detection equipment.