VX-4 phantom loads

The USAF tank was a true "gas bag"--good for only four G empty and
just over two when full with very poor assymetric or "rolling" G
allowance. It was seldom used in other than ferry configurations for
peacetime/training missions. In combat ops it was always jettisoned
when empty.

In the Phantom's twilight service, F-4E and F-4G were flown with F-15 tanks
on the centerline. No maneuvering restrictions, although I am not sure if
they did anything to the rear Sparrow firing problem...

_____________
José Herculano

On Wed, 9 Mar 2005 20:19:24 -0000, "José Herculano"
wrote:

The USAF tank was a true "gas bag"--good for only four G empty and
just over two when full with very poor assymetric or "rolling" G
allowance. It was seldom used in other than ferry configurations for
peacetime/training missions. In combat ops it was always jettisoned
when empty.

In the Phantom's twilight service, F-4E and F-4G were flown with F-15 tanks
on the centerline. No maneuvering restrictions, although I am not sure if
they did anything to the rear Sparrow firing problem...

_____________
José Herculano

I know that the F-4G flew with the much better MacAir tank. It's a
good bet that the later E-equipped units would have gotten the better
tanks as well.

With drag considerations, the single center-line tank would give much
better range/endurance than the two outboard configuration.
Ed Rasimus
Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
"When Thunder Rolled"
www.thunderchief.org
www.thundertales.blogspot.com