F-4EJ 301 Prototype Camera equipment

[Kota]

The ADTW F-4EJ Kai Unit 301 has some unique cockpit controls exclusive to it relating to Camera and optical pod operation. From what I know all the camera pods used by RF-4EJs and F-4EJs used film based cameras that didn't give any video feed into the cockpit. It seems that the this unit specifically was modified by the ADTW to use a new targeting pod that never entered production. Does anyone have more info on these modifications exclusive to this airframe?

 

[Kota]

So after more looking, something that could be related is this.


F-4EJ 301 has these black squares near the wing roots above the main pylons that aren't present on any other F-4EJs. Even other uniquely modified ones like 431

The black squares are present on some USAF F-4E's and that area is also where a TISEO pod would typically be mounted


Anyone have any idea what the black squares are?

 

[aim9xray]

Part of RWR/EW (Radar Warning Receiver/Electronic Warfare) gear (antenna). Initial F-4E F-4EJ & install was common with F-4J. JASDF 431 has upgraded Japanese EW installation and the antenna is moved to the leading edge of the wingtip. TISEO F-4E, slatted F-4E and slatted F-4S also had this antenna relocated to the wingtips.

 

[Kota]

I found something else from ASM-1 testing on the Falcom BMS forum. It seems that the F-4EJ 301 and 302 both received custom custom camera equipment for this test. It's unknown if these camera pods are linked to this test specifically, but it's something.

 

[F-2]

I found something else from ASM-1 testing on the Falcom BMS forum. It seems that the F-4EJ 301 and 302 both received custom custom camera equipment for this test. It's unknown if these camera pods are linked to this test specifically, but it's something.

View attachment 686922

Haha that was me

 

[Kota]

I found some more pics that are of interest.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1630812303015940097

View: https://twitter.com/t2Bluemyokochi/status/1630812303015940097

F-4EJ 301 with fixed camera pods and an F-104J with a bomb with some modified probe out of the front.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1631022572593909766

View: https://twitter.com/t2Bluemyokochi/status/1631022572593909766/

F-4EJ 431 with a movable camera pod.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1630743772970778624

View: https://twitter.com/t2Bluemyokochi/status/1630743772970778624

https://twitter.com/x/status/1630902661250973701

View: https://twitter.com/t2Bluemyokochi/status/1630902661250973701/

F-4EJ 301 with the same camera pod and drone.

The camera pods are definitely interesting and could be related to the extra controls set. As for the drone I couldn't find any solid info on it and maybe it's a predecessor to the Fuji TACOM.