old_tonto Posted November 25, 2016 Share Posted November 25, 2016 Can anyone tell me what the external differences are between an F-4E & F-4F? Is it a simple conversion? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted November 25, 2016 Share Posted November 25, 2016 (edited) Revell F-4F kit? It's almost the same plastic apart from the slotted stabilisers. Loads of info on the site if you use the search function, or Google "F-4F vs F-4E" Previous thread Another discussion saying the same stuff! Al Edited November 25, 2016 by Alan P Speling and grammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomBigStu Posted November 25, 2016 Share Posted November 25, 2016 (edited) Depends on the timeline as there are slightly different aerial fits plus the hump sensor, but for all f-4e's the horizontal stabs are different for a start, and also early f-4es lack the slatted wing, which is included in the revell box if you fit the spare outer wings and not fit the 6 fairings under the wing Edited November 25, 2016 by PhantomBigStu 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted November 25, 2016 Share Posted November 25, 2016 1 minute ago, PhantomBigStu said: Depends on the timeline, but for all f-4e's the veritcal stabs are different for a start We know you meant horizontal stabs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomBigStu Posted November 25, 2016 Share Posted November 25, 2016 4 minutes ago, Alan P said: We know you meant horizontal stabs Drat you just had quote me before I corrected 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted November 25, 2016 Share Posted November 25, 2016 (edited) 5 minutes ago, PhantomBigStu said: Drat you just had quote me before I corrected Sorry. The pedant in me just can't be restrained! EDIT: even more annoying, I can't erase the post I made. Edited November 25, 2016 by Alan P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fernando Posted November 25, 2016 Share Posted November 25, 2016 Hi, old tonto, Basically, the stabilators. Fs have the early un-slotted ones without the triangular reinforcement plate, Es the later slotted with it. Unless you want a "hard-wing" E or EJ. Other than that, it is a matter of details mostly related to the timeframe. You should check the specific airframe. Fernando Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hook Posted November 25, 2016 Share Posted November 25, 2016 2 hours ago, Fernando said: without the triangular reinforcement plate F's had the arrow plates: http://www.b-domke.de/AviationImages/Phantom/1333.html Cheers, Andre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted November 25, 2016 Share Posted November 25, 2016 The earliest F's didn't have the reinforcement plates. I don't have any information when that changed, so I suppose you'll have to check on whichever airframe you're modelling. Revell's 1/32 has the plates already moulded, so you'll have to remove them if you backdate it. Also the tip of the fin needs changing if you use the Revell F kit, again, depending on the airframe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted November 25, 2016 Share Posted November 25, 2016 The arrow shaped reinforcements were not in the original design of the F-4E, most Es had them at some point but they were not necessarily there from the beginning, they were retrofitted at depot level. Same for the F, aircrafts may be seen with and without the reinforcement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted November 25, 2016 Share Posted November 25, 2016 Most of the differences are internal, rear cockpit layout for example. Also, the -F was simplified compared to the -E, so it was not wired for the Sparrow missile, and never carried them (I know, never say never). The ICE upgrade allowed AMRAAM's to be fitted and used from the sparrow wells. Interestingly, the -F was going to be a single seater, but this idea was shelved, possibly because of cost. The fact the -F's had unslotted stabs, meant that for commonality, the RF-4E's purchased also had unslotted stabs. Also, the German Air Force also purchased -E's, for training in the USA. Ted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creepy Pete Posted November 25, 2016 Share Posted November 25, 2016 Yup, right up to their retirement, F-4F's could still be seen without the arrow heads on the stabs. This one was one of the last few at Wittmund at the Phantom Pharewell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scout712 Posted November 27, 2016 Share Posted November 27, 2016 (edited) The reinforcement plates could be found either in top or on the bottom only or top and bottom. Since the stabilator unit was interchangeable you could find the same jet with different arrangement depending on time frame. But both were always changed as pair since it was a whole connected unit. Another unique difference of the F to other models is the fact, that the forward slots of each missile bay (were the forward Sparrow fin would fit in) had a GAF unique cover installed. So this slot was closed. Only when AIM-120 was introduced these covers were removed when launchers were installed. The ICE radome also has a different shape than the regular E radome. It is fatter when seen from front. SOP for the Luftwaffe Phantom was to park the jet Slats out & flaps down, while all other users parked the jet Slats in & flaps up. I guess this also has to do with the lack of AIM-7 capability. Since loading the rear missiles require the flaps to be up. When we had NATO evals which required the jet to be loaded with AMRAAMs we had to park it in & up so the chiefs could load the rear missiles. Cheers Scout Edited November 28, 2016 by Scout712 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westwind Posted November 29, 2016 Share Posted November 29, 2016 (edited) Another subtle external difference can be found on the top end of the tail fin. The F had a "blank" fin, while some USAF E models had an antenna bulge in the same place. F-4E with the bulge F-4F without it Edited November 29, 2016 by Westwind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tempestfan Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 IIRC the F also lacked #7 fuselage tank, so with the apparent lack of the need for too much gas, it would have been somewhat logical to dispense with the IFR receptacle and associated plumbing, but I am not sure if this was actually the case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 (edited) 9 minutes ago, tempestfan said: IIRC the F also lacked #7 fuselage tank, so with the apparent lack of the need for too much gas, it would have been somewhat logical to dispense with the IFR receptacle and associated plumbing, but I am not sure if this was actually the case. The F-4F retained the IFR capability and this was used whenever these aircrafts had to cross the atlantic for some reason (like deployments to the US or Canada) Edited December 1, 2016 by Giorgio N 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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