F-16 versus Phantom F-4S

Red6 · by **Red6** » 16 Nov 2005, 21:12

F4S vs. F16 who would win?

High/Low/BVR/WVR (F16 as of early 80s)

The F-16 that rolled off the assembly line (early 1980s) was it really so much more capable than a F4S?

The Navy F-4S with its leading wing slats, advanced radar (F-16 in it's original state was pretty much just heater and no Sparrow), etc. Was the F-16 really so much better in A2A?

Not talking about growth potential, cost or sustainment issues.

http://www.vogue-web.ch/f4/f4_27.html

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ ... t/f-4s.htm

(just pictures) http://www.midwaysailor.com/photos/phantom-f4s.html

Red6

regevmm · by **regevmm** » 17 Nov 2005, 06:57

As long as for WVR the F-16 has a better turn rate & turn radius (there is a picture that shows the turn circle of both F-4 & F-16) so i think it will outmaneuver the phantom in DF range.

Regev

Lightndattic · by **Lightndattic** » 17 Nov 2005, 19:10

regevmm wrote:As long as for WVR the F-16 has a better turn rate & turn radius (there is a picture that shows the turn circle of both F-4 & F-16) so i think it will outmaneuver the phantom in DF range.

Regev

Was that vs. the USAF's E model or the Navy's S model? If the S is supposed to have a 50% better turning radius than the J models it replaced/evolved from then it might be closer.

shiz302 · by **shiz302** » 17 Nov 2005, 22:25

I recall the pic as well, both jets had smoke trails to make the difference more apparent. F-16 vs F-4.

SwedgeII · by **SwedgeII** » 01 Dec 2005, 20:02

Any F-16 will severely out turn any F-4!!! That said if the F-4 driver was smart he would fight F-104 style. Throttle up and make a Pass at high speed pop off some missiles and head for the deck balls to the wall.. BTW I have worked on and with F-4S’s at RAF watershiem SP? During a Tiger squadron exchange. The F-4S Does not turn any better then an F-4E. which is only a little better then the D. Any way with the slasher tactics it would negate the 16,s turn ability.. and in a tail chase the F-4 wins!! J-79s VG inlets…. Make a great High speed combo, well great for THAT age!!!...

Red6 · by **Red6** » 05 Dec 2005, 00:44

SwedgeII wrote:Any F-16 will severely out turn any F-4!!! That said if the F-4 driver was smart he would fight F-104 style. Throttle up and make a Pass at high speed pop off some missiles and head for the deck balls to the wall.. BTW I have worked on and with F-4S’s at RAF watershiem SP? During a Tiger squadron exchange. The F-4S Does not turn any better then an F-4E. which is only a little better then the D. Any way with the slasher tactics it would negate the 16,s turn ability.. and in a tail chase the F-4 wins!! J-79s VG inlets…. Make a great High speed combo, well great for THAT age!!!...

But do you think that with the radar on the F4S and Sparrow from the early 80s in addition to the slash and run tactics, the F4S had the upper hand overall? The Viper at the time only had heaters.

Red6