Inside The Cockpit: F-4 Phantom II FGR.2

The F-4 Phantom II is an absolute classic from the Cold War era. Let's jump into the cockpit and find out what makes this bird click.

⚜ Sit Inside this Phantom (and the Vulcan) ⚜

⚜ Support Inside The Cockpit ⚜

⚜ Find Me On Social Media ⚜

⚜ Sources ⚜
ADC016682, A comparative analysis of USAF fixed-wing aircraft losses in South-East Asia, Dec 1977

Aeroguide, McDonnell Phantom FG MK 1/FGR Mk 2

A.P.101B-0902-16, Phantom FGR MK 2 2x SPEY MK 201 or 202 Aircraft – Operating Data Manual, 1968

AP.101B-0902-15A - Phantom FGR Mk2 Aircrew manual

Michael Burns, McDonnell Douglas F-4K and F-4M Phantom II

Patrick Martin, British Phantoms FG Mk.1, FGR Mk.2 and F-4J (UK) in RAF Service 1979-1992

Philip Moyes, Aerodata International N 14, McDonnell Douglass F-4 Phantom II

P.S. 454 Plane Captain's Handbook F-4K/M

USAF, The Vietnam War Almanac

USAF, Phantom guide: A guide to the F-4

RAF Museum

⚜ Music ⚜
Music and Sfx from Epidemic Sound

[MilitaryAviationHistory]

*Hope you all enjoyed this one! Please consider sharing and check out the description for sources and helpful links!*

[JOPA_Nerds]

“World’s Leading Distributer of MiG Parts!”

I like that. Very clever!

[Cramblit]

Phantoms have a very majestic rugged look that I really love.

[rudyyarbrough]

As a young Marine pilot, I spent a lot of time looking at that instrument panel. I flew the F-4B at Mach I at 500 feet over the Yuma desert and Mach 2 at 35, 000 feet. It was a hell of a ride and I loved every minute of it. It brought me home from Vietnam and I will always have a soft spot in my heart every time I see one.

[russellbryan]

I learned that a friend of mine flew these while he was in a Air Force. He never mentioned that he was in the military, much less a pilot, to any of us and we all learned of this part of his life only after he died very unexpectedly. Had I known that he flew the F-4 I would have had a thousand questions for him.

[marksauck]

The F4 was always refered to as a muscle jet with good reason. The full amount of ordinance load was incredible making it so versatile it lasted a long time in the Navy's and Air Force's arsenals.

[robertgutheridge]

The Phantom did everything. Didn't do anything great but it did everything it was asked to do.
Including bringing my uncle and a lot of other pilots home while absorbing a lot of damage

[siberiandaddy]

worked on them for 4 years, usn, f4-b, vf-11, 1967-71. brought back allot of memories.

[GaldirEonai]

18:12 "Jelly Baby Dispenser". Obviously a critical modification for the UK version...

[billfisher]

I was a signalman on the USS Saratoga (CVA-60) 1962-1966. We had two squadrons of F-4 Phantoms on board, which are probably more responsible for my old-age hearing problems. But that never stopped me from standing on the signal bridge, watching those lovely birds taxi to the catapult, light their afterburners and take off in front of two trails of smoke! Their landings were just as awesome. Great memories.

[free-birdrocker]

My dads buddy flew an F-4 in Nam, he did napalm sorties. My pop flew the Cobra Gunship in nam also. I I met his buddy and he had a hanger full of birds, 1 pitts s-1 and a cessna 190? It had a radial engine, and I got to sit in the co pilot seat for a fun ride. He said the phantom handled like a trash truck but it got the job done. Thanks Mr. Bismark for good av-history videos!

[johnshields]

My uncle Jack piloted the F4 phantom in Vietnam late 60's early 70's, I was a young boy and in awe, I wanted to ask him about it on the rare times he was home for holidays but back then you kept your mouth shut, plus I don't think he'd want to talk to me about his missions or his experiences. Cool show, thank you 🇺🇸🙏

[shawnadams]

My favorite plane of all time. My first contact with the Phantom II was the Blue Angels flying in a airshow my father took me to in 1971 when I was 6 years old. I've been in love with "Old Smokey" ever since.

[enzoacorda]

This series is definitely helpful for us modellers. I realized I may have missed something out on the Phantom FGR.2 I finished and in turn, this video along with my 2gb folder are probably why I have 4 of them now.

[samuelbadger]

Thanks for making this vid!!! My great grandpa was the Captain of the carrier USS Ranger for the US Navy and was previously the head test pilot for the E variant of this plane. Currently looking into his tapes for more information about him, just thought it was nice to share.

[TheCommissarIsDead]

The phantom was the first jet I ever fell in love with, it didn’t help all the stories my grandpa would tell me about them and the Cobras during nam. He would always say “when you would hear that roar over the mountains coming towards you you’d always hear a sigh and a little cheer over the guys when they came around”

[lindapowell]

Jim Powell here.
I served in Navy fighter squadron VF-154 in Vietnam. Two deployments from 1967-68 and 1968-69, we flew the F4 Phantom. I worked on the radar systems. I was a fire control technician. Our last cruise we had the F4J bird. The F4 was a work horse. It could fly as a bomber with a significant payload or as a fighter in a support role carrying sparrow missiles and side winders. The F4 was a big fighter, the engines were J79’s. They could fly right at Mach 2. They were a magnificent and very durable aircraft. I really enjoyed being part of the Navy and being part of VF-154, the Black Knights. The best fighter squadron in the Navy.

[Walter_E_Kurtz]

This is the Jet that I first fell in love with, and discovered aviation. When I was 8 years old my grandpa bought me a model of the F-4 Phantom II to put together with him. I've always loved everything about the F-4 and still do. The absolute greatest aircraft ever made and to fly. Thank you McDonnell Douglas.

[grunderhunter]

I had the pleasure of watching two phantoms scramble from raf wildenrath when I was at school; my teacher was the squadron commanders wife. Amazing sight that is still vivid 30 years on. Great video, thanks!

[neues]

My grandad flew a variant of the Phantom in the German air force. I still think it is one of the best looking post ww2 planes out there.