F-4E Air to Air Kills

The F-4E Phantom II, an upgraded version of the F-4 Phantom series, played a significant role in air-to-air combat during the Vietnam War. Equipped with the AIM-7 Sparrow missile, a radar-guided weapon with beyond-visual-range capabilities, the F-4E had a notable advantage in engagements.

In Vietnam, F-4E pilots engaged in dogfights against various enemy aircraft. The Sparrow missiles allowed them to target adversaries from a distance, contributing to the aircraft's success. Key USAF pilots, such as Steve Ritchie and Chuck DeBellevue, achieved ace status by securing five or more air-to-air victories.

The total number of air-to-air kills attributed to the F-4E Phantom II, combining both the USAF and USN, is estimated to be around 21 during the Vietnam War, including 4 MiG-19s and 17 MiG-21s. However, this figure may vary across sources. In total, F-4C/D/E Variants shot down 107 MiG jets, earning it the nickname "Biggest distributor of MiG parts".

Despite its effectiveness, the F-4E faced challenges in close-quarters combat due to the initial absence of an internal cannon. Modifications, including the addition of an M61 Vulcan cannon, addressed this limitation and improved the aircraft's performance in close-range engagements.

The success of the F-4E Phantom II in Vietnam solidified its reputation as a versatile and formidable fighter, and it continued to serve in the air forces worldwide for many years.

a Marine F-4 Phantom II from Marine Fighter/Attack Squadron 314 firing an AIM-7 Missile

USAF

In detail, the USAF confirmed 21 kills.

Scored with the following weapons:

IAF

In combat, the Israeli Air Force downed 116 jets.

Scored with the following weapons:

IRIAF

The IRIAF shot down 83 aircraft.

Scored with the following weapons: