tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post3326857229203119160..comments2024-03-08T16:42:41.614-08:00Comments on Tailhook Topics: F-4 Phantom ACLS Radar ReflectorTailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-8428114176324400762022-01-20T15:45:52.380-08:002022-01-20T15:45:52.380-08:00I worked for McDonell Douglas in the '60s in t...I worked for McDonell Douglas in the '60s in the antenna lab. We tested dozens of these corner reflectors for spec compliance using a laboratory Ka band (33.2 GHz I believe) circularly polarized radar. As shown in the second picture above there is a panel attached to the top third of the reflector. As shown in the third picture this consists of a dielectric core of 0.176 in thick section of EccoFoam sandwiched between two layers of pre-preg fiberglass. Without this panel the reflected circularized radar return would have been the opposite sense and be virtually undetectable. The purpose of this panel is to provide a phase shift to the incident radar signal that reverses the polarization sense so that is matches the radar polarization. The spec compliance failures were almost always due to this panel not performing as required.<br />Planomikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03172154303150492754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-43592781598795142152018-06-29T03:56:21.556-07:002018-06-29T03:56:21.556-07:00Hi Tommy, I can confirm that the F-4J had one of t...Hi Tommy, I can confirm that the F-4J had one of these fitted and when I get a chance I will try and open mine on ZE350 (153768) and photograph. Currently its in a workshop having some more restoration work done on the radome mounts, so access is a bit tight. I would love to know how it works though, if anyone can update me? CheersAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02987772624197495542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-14369802576278920292017-09-25T06:31:44.404-07:002017-09-25T06:31:44.404-07:00Peter - if you send the photo to me I'll add i...Peter - if you send the photo to me I'll add it to the post with a credit to you. Thanks, TTailspinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-27533212666163945812017-09-25T06:04:08.635-07:002017-09-25T06:04:08.635-07:00No that's incorrect. Some F-4Bs were modified ...No that's incorrect. Some F-4Bs were modified with ACLS for example VF-14 & VF-32 transitioned to "new" reworked F-4Bs in October 1972 that had been modified with ACLS & Data Link (also ALR-45/50 RHAW/ECM). I have an image of F-4B 152222 AB205 landing aboard JFK in 1973 with the Radar reflector deployed. Can't see a way of posting it here though?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10391171656122778943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-59364443176748805432017-08-24T11:47:15.763-07:002017-08-24T11:47:15.763-07:00Thanks - I have several F4H books but not that one...Thanks - I have several F4H books but not that one.Tailspinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-64134697417386895362017-08-24T09:56:10.238-07:002017-08-24T09:56:10.238-07:00Hello,
three good pictures can be found in Danny C...Hello,<br />three good pictures can be found in Danny Coremans Book: Uncovering the US Navy Q/F-4B/J/N/S Phantom, page 133. But not with the excellent background information provided here :-)<br /><br />Regards,<br /><br />Martin<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-76574201304464323932017-08-21T13:40:50.571-07:002017-08-21T13:40:50.571-07:00My guess is that the reflector only extended when ...My guess is that the reflector only extended when the ACLS was selected. I have a few pictures of Phantoms on approach to the carrier with it extended. One is shown in the post.Tailspinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-67588944799876605382017-08-21T10:28:45.310-07:002017-08-21T10:28:45.310-07:00That photo with the Red Shirt in it is an F-4J, yo...That photo with the Red Shirt in it is an F-4J, you can tell by that small radome with the labeling "Static System Drain" on it. That is the "little bump" on the bottome of an F-4J radome. (or F-4S, it had the same feature on the radome)Rex, the accidental Caghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15096511415872112627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-77823423329172031562017-08-21T08:39:37.754-07:002017-08-21T08:39:37.754-07:00It wasn't used on the F-4B, the F-4G was the c...It wasn't used on the F-4B, the F-4G was the conversion to test it and implement it.<br /><br />It started on the F-4G conversions from F-4B, then was used on the F-4J, later on it was used on F-4N and F-4S. (the first F-4G didn't have a door, the reflector was permanently mounted on that one)<br />Rex, the accidental Caghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15096511415872112627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-43379901925355272172017-08-21T08:27:56.006-07:002017-08-21T08:27:56.006-07:00Hi Tommy, great detail shot. Thanks for making it ...Hi Tommy, great detail shot. Thanks for making it available.<br /><br />Was this device only fitted to to F-4B's and Navy F-4Gs?<br /><br />I can't recall ever seeing it on any of the hundreds of F-4J or even N photos I have.chekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09076463055055404580noreply@blogger.com