Numerous f4 Phantoms were lost in Vietnam, with estimates ranging from 382 to around 528 aircraft.
During the Vietnam War, the F-4 Phantom II, a versatile and formidable American fighter aircraft, saw widespread use in combat missions. Its involvement unfortunately came at a high cost, as numerous F-4 Phantoms were lost during the conflict. Although different sources provide varying estimates, it is estimated that between 382 and around 528 F-4 Phantoms were lost in Vietnam.
One interesting fact about the F-4 Phantom II’s involvement in Vietnam is its prominent role in the air-to-air combat known as the “MiG Sweep.” The U.S. relied on the F-4 Phantoms to engage and neutralize North Vietnamese MiG fighters, which they successfully accomplished through a combination of tactics and advanced weapons systems.
The F-4 Phantom II’s air superiority was evident in the words of renowned American fighter ace, Robin Olds, who once said, “The F-4 is the best airplane I ever flew. It could out-fly, out-fight, and out-perform any MiG I ever encountered in aerial combat.” These words highlight the prowess of the F-4 Phantom II in the challenging skies above Vietnam.
To provide a concise overview, here is a table summarizing the estimated number of F-4 Phantom II losses in Vietnam:
| Estimate Range | Number of F-4 Phantoms lost |
|---|---|
| 382 to 528 |
It is important to note that these estimates may vary slightly depending on different sources and calculation methods. Nevertheless, they provide a general understanding of the scale of F-4 Phantom II losses in Vietnam.
Answer in the video
The YouTube video “How Many F 4 Phantoms Were Lost During The Vietnam War” discusses the significant losses of the US F-4 Phantom during the Vietnam War. While the F-4 Phantom was a powerful and fast aircraft capable of firing guided missiles, it was not designed as a true dogfighter, resulting in heavy casualties for the US. Out of the 5,195 F-4 Phantoms built between 1958 and 1981, 761 were lost during the Vietnam War. As a response to these losses, the Navy began searching for a more suitable interceptor for air-to-air combat.
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By war’s end, the U.S. Air Force had lost a total of 528 F-4 and RF-4C Phantoms. When combined with U.S. Navy and Marine Corps losses of 233 Phantoms, 761 F-4/RF-4 Phantoms were lost in the Vietnam War.
A total of 761 F-4/RF-4 Phantoms were lost in the Vietnam War. The U.S. Air Force lost 528 F-4 and RF-4C Phantoms, while the US Naval/Marine losses were 233 Phantoms. Among fixed-wing aircraft, more F-4 Phantoms were lost than any other type in service with any nation.
By war’s end the U.S. Air Force had lost a total of 528 F-4 and RF-4C Phantoms. When combined with US Naval/Marine losses of 233 Phantoms; 761 F-4/RF-4 Phantoms were lost in the Vietnam War. On 28 August 1972, Steve Ritchie became the first USAF ace of the war.
Among fixed-wing aircraft, more F-4 Phantoms were lost than any other type in service with any nation. The United States lost 578 UAVs (554 over Vietnam and 24 over China). There were about 11,835 U.S helicopters that served in the Vietnam War.
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Did you know that during the Vietnam War, more F-4 Phantoms were lost than any other fixed-wing aircraft type? In total 445 Phantoms were lost during the conflict, of which 382 fell in combat. Roy Maniedeo and 985 others like this.
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