McDonnell Douglas F-4E / F-4G Wild Weasel Phantom II

Primary-Source Technical Documentation Collection — 20 Documents

The F-4E and F-4G represent the apex of the Phantom II's operational evolution. The F-4E introduced the internal M61A1 Vulcan cannon, leading-edge maneuvering slats, and the AN/APQ-120 fire control radar — transforming the Phantom from a pure missile platform into a true dogfighter. The F-4G Wild Weasel V took the airframe in a radically different direction, replacing the cannon bay with the AN/APR-38 (later AN/APR-47) Radar Homing and Warning System to create the definitive USAF Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) platform of the Cold War era.

This collection assembles 20 primary-source USAF Technical Orders, McDonnell Aircraft engineering publications, and factory documentation covering flight operations, illustrated parts breakdowns, armament systems, avionics, electronic intelligence systems, electro-optical targeting, ground handling, and Wild Weasel-specific systems — spanning the full operational life of both variants from 1967 through the early 1990s.

Document Manifest — 20 Primary-Source Documents

1. T.O. 1F-4E-1
Flight Manual — USAF Series F-4E Aircraft
McDonnell Aircraft · NOw(A)63-0032-i / N00383-77-A-7500 · 1 February 1979
Supersedes T.O. 1F-4E-1 dated 1 December 1975, Changes 1–9, and T.O. 1F-4E-1S-28, -1SS-53, -1S-57, -1S-58
The definitive 1979 edition of the F-4E flight manual. Covers all systems, emergency procedures, normal operations, and performance limits for the F-4E with J79-GE-17 engines and leading-edge maneuvering slats.

2. T.O. 1F-4E-1
Flight Manual — USAF Series F-4E Aircraft
McDonnell Aircraft · Earlier Change State Edition
An earlier change state of the F-4E flight manual, documenting pre-1979 systems configuration and procedures. Valuable for tracing the evolution of F-4E operational doctrine and systems modifications through the Vietnam era.

3. T.O. 1F-4C-1
Flight Manual — USAF Series F-4C, F-4D, and F-4E Aircraft
McDonnell Douglas · NOw(A)63-0032-i / N00019-69-C-0521 · 1 October 1970
Supersedes T.O. 1F-4C-1 dated 15 July 1969 and Operational Supplement T.O. 1F-4C-1S-111
The consolidated flight manual covering all three principal USAF Phantom variants simultaneously. Essential cross-variant reference documenting the transition period between the C/D and E configurations.

4. T.O. 1F-4C-1-2
Flight Operating Difference / Supplemental Data — USAF Series F-4E Aircraft, Thunderbird Configuration
F34(601)-68-A-2919 · 1 April 1969
Supplemental flight data for the F-4E in USAF Thunderbirds aerobatic team configuration. Documents the specific systems modifications, performance differences, and operating limitations unique to the Thunderbird display aircraft. A rare and historically significant publication.

5. T.O. 1F-4C-34-1-1
Aircrew Weapons Delivery Manual (Non-Nuclear) — USAF Series F-4C, F-4D, and F-4E Aircraft
McDonnell Aircraft · NOw(A)63-0032-i / N00019-71-C-0213 · 15 March 1970 · Change 9, 26 January 1973
The primary weapons delivery manual covering all nonnuclear delivery modes for the F-4C, D, and E. Augmented by T.O. 1F-4C-34-1-1-1, T.O. 1F-4C-34-1-1-2, and T.O. 1F-4C-34-1-2.

6. T.O. 1F-4E-34-1-1
Aircrew Weapons Delivery Manual (Nonnuclear) — F-4E
McDonnell Aircraft · NOw(A)63-0032-i · 15 April 1979 · Change 20, 15 December 1986
The F-4E-specific weapons delivery manual, updated through 1986. Covers all nonnuclear delivery modes including dive, loft, level, and laydown profiles, with integration data for precision-guided munitions.

7. T.O. 1F-4E-4-1
Illustrated Parts Breakdown — Airframe, USAF Series F-4E Aircraft
McDonnell Aircraft · N00019-67-C-0095 / F42600-78-D-0021 · 15 October 1971 · Change 31, 15 December 1978
Comprehensive airframe IPB with all changes merged into a single publication. ATA-structured component identification across all major structural assemblies of the F-4E airframe.

8. T.O. 1F-4E-4-2
Illustrated Parts Breakdown — Mechanisms, Controls, and Ejection Seats, USAF Series F-4E Aircraft
McDonnell Aircraft · N00019-67-C-0095 / F33657-74-C-0005 · 15 October 1971 · Change 25, 15 December 1976
IPB covering all mechanical control systems, flight control linkages, and ejection seat assemblies. All changes merged into a single publication.

9. T.O. 1F-4E-4-4
Illustrated Parts Breakdown — Instruments, Electric & Electronic Systems, USAF Series F-4E Aircraft
McDonnell Aircraft · N00019-67-C-0095 · 15 July 1983 · Change 42, 25 October 1993
The most extensively revised IPB volume in the F-4E series, updated through 1993. Covers all avionics, instruments, and electrical systems including AN/APQ-120 radar components.

10. F-4E-A IPC
Illustrated Parts Catalog — F-4E (Export / Foreign Military Sales Edition)
McDonnell Douglas
Foreign Military Sales edition of the F-4E parts catalog, produced for export customers. Documents component part numbers and assemblies in the FMS configuration.

11. T.O. 1F-4E-2-30
Maintenance Instructions — Electronic Intelligence Systems, F-4E
McDonnell Aircraft · N00019-71-A-0011 · 15 January 1975 · Change 36, 15 February 1989
Maintenance manual for the F-4E electronic intelligence systems suite, covering installation, removal, and troubleshooting procedures.

12. F-4E Electronic Intelligence Systems Maintenance
Alternate Change State / Companion Volume
McDonnell Aircraft
A distinct change state or companion volume to T.O. 1F-4E-2-30, documenting an earlier or parallel configuration of the electronic intelligence systems maintenance procedures.

13. T.O. 1F-4E-2-38
Maintenance Instructions — Electro-Optical Target Designator System AN/ASQ-153(V), F-4E
McDonnell Aircraft · N00383-75-A-6533 · 15 April 1977 · Change 17, 1 October 1992
Maintenance manual for the Pave Spike AN/ASQ-153(V) electro-optical target designator — the laser designation pod that gave the F-4E its precision strike capability with laser-guided bombs.

14. F-4E Ground Handling & Servicing
AF Maintenance — McDonnell Aircraft
Ground handling and servicing procedures for the F-4E, covering towing, jacking, mooring, fueling, and pre-flight servicing requirements at organizational maintenance level.

15. F-4E Power Plant / Fuel IPB
Illustrated Parts Breakdown — Power Plant and Fuel Systems, F-4E
McDonnell Aircraft
IPB covering the J79-GE-17 engine installation, fuel system components, and associated plumbing across the F-4E airframe.

16. F-4E Preliminary Flight Manual
McDonnell Aircraft · 1967
The pre-production / early service preliminary flight manual for the F-4E, issued prior to the formal T.O. 1F-4E-1 series. Documents the original F-4E configuration before the leading-edge slat modification and subsequent avionics upgrades. A rare early-production reference.

17. F-4E Armament Systems
McDonnell Douglas · P.S. 859 · 1 June 1974
Factory armament systems publication covering weapons integration, electrical routing, and delivery configurations for the F-4E, including the M61A1 internal cannon and all external stores stations.

18. F-4G Airframes IPB
Illustrated Parts Breakdown — Airframe, F-4G Wild Weasel
McDonnell Douglas
Airframe IPB for the F-4G Wild Weasel V, documenting the structural modifications associated with the AN/APR-38/47 RHAWS installation and the removal of the M61A1 cannon from the nose bay.

19. F-4G Flight Manual
Flight Manual — F-4G Wild Weasel
McDonnell Douglas / USAF
The primary flight manual for the F-4G Wild Weasel V, covering all systems unique to the SEAD variant including the AN/APR-47 Radar Homing and Warning System, AGM-45 Shrike, AGM-78 Standard ARM, and AGM-88 HARM integration.

20. F-4 USAF Landing Gear Systems Maintenance
Maintenance Instructions — Landing Gear Systems, F-4 Series
USAF / McDonnell Aircraft
Landing gear systems maintenance manual covering the F-4 series, including retraction/extension systems, wheel and brake assemblies, nose gear steering, and anti-skid systems.

Aircraft Technical Overview

Aerodynamic Configuration — F-4E / F-4G

The F-4E/G retains the core Phantom II aerodynamic architecture — 45° swept wing with 12° wingtip dihedral and 23° anhedral all-moving stabilator — but introduces leading-edge maneuvering slats that dramatically lower stall speed and improve high angle-of-attack tracking. The slats deploy automatically based on AOA, extending the aircraft's effective combat envelope and reducing the violent pitch-up tendencies that characterized earlier variants at high AOA. Cockpit AOA is read in arbitrary indicated units (0–30), with optimum approach at 19.2 units, pedal shaker activation at 22.3 units, and true aerodynamic stall between 26–30 units.

Powerplant — General Electric J79-GE-17

The F-4E/G is powered by twin J79-GE-17 turbojets — an uprated variant of the J79 series delivering 11,870 lbs dry thrust and 17,900 lbs with afterburner per engine. The 17-stage axial compressor uses variable stator vanes to prevent compressor surges across the full Mach envelope. Automated variable-ramp intake systems regulate internal air velocity to maintain subsonic flow at the compressor face during supersonic profiles. The Variable Exhaust Nozzle (VEN) relies on engine oil pressure for actuation — asymmetrical VEN positioning produces immediate EGT spikes and thrust degradation.

Performance Envelope — F-4E

F-4G Wild Weasel V — SEAD Configuration

The F-4G replaced the M61A1 Vulcan cannon with the AN/APR-38 (later AN/APR-47) Radar Homing and Warning System in the nose bay, adding 52 antennas across the airframe to provide 360° radar threat detection and classification. The Wild Weasel mission — Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses — required the F-4G to actively hunt and destroy surface-to-air missile systems using AGM-45 Shrike, AGM-78 Standard ARM, and ultimately the AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles. The F-4G served as the USAF's primary SEAD platform through Desert Storm (1991).

⚠️ Regulatory Notice: Under FAA 14 CFR § 43.13 and EASA Part-M, any mechanic performing maintenance on an active aircraft must use current, manufacturer-approved revision-controlled data. This archival document does not satisfy that requirement.

This is an archival, static-copy edition fixed at its original publication date. Intended for historical reference, flight simulation, museum restoration, and educational use only. Not approved for active airworthiness maintenance under FAA 14 CFR § 43.13, EASA Part-M, or equivalent international regulations. Operators of active aircraft must use current, revision-controlled publications from the Type Certificate holder or an authorized distributor.
Living Collections with Free Lifetime Updates — Please review our Disclaimer and Export Notice before purchasing.