USAF F-4

When the USAF decided to purchase the Navy F4H-1 Phantom II in 1962, what was
the reason that they decided to go with 2 pilots and flight controls in the
rear seat, vs. the Navy philosophy of pilot and NFO in the back?

W. Woodruff

"TWINMAKER" wrote in message
...

When the USAF decided to purchase the Navy F4H-1 Phantom II in 1962, what
was
the reason that they decided to go with 2 pilots and flight controls in
the
rear seat, vs. the Navy philosophy of pilot and NFO in the back?


Because the USAF didn't have any NFOs.

NFO "NAVAL FLIGHT OFFICER" i.e. Navy!


"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote in message
link.net...

"TWINMAKER" wrote in message
...

When the USAF decided to purchase the Navy F4H-1 Phantom II in 1962,
what
was
the reason that they decided to go with 2 pilots and flight controls in
the
rear seat, vs. the Navy philosophy of pilot and NFO in the back?


Because the USAF didn't have any NFOs.

Technically you are right, since there were no Naval Flight Officers in the
USAF. However, for years prior to the F-4's entry into the Air Force, the USAF
had non-pilot rear seat officer navigators or radar intercept officers in
F-89s, F-94s and F-101s. These aircraft also had no flight controls in the
rear seat. So, there was quite a precidence set with pilots (not navs) in the
rear seat of a 2 seat fighter, also the USAF had to specify flight controls in
the back seat.