John Carrier wrote:

"Guy Alcala" wrote in message
. ..
Any of you F-8 guys have experience with the J's radar? I
have a source which states (and has a photo of what is
stated to be the APQ-124 control head indicating the same)
that the APQ-124 had a Pulse-doppler mode as well as Pulse,
similar to the APG-59 of the F-4J. Was this mode actually
available on the APQ-124 and, if so, how well did it work?
TIA,

Yes. We're workin' with 29 year old memories here, Guy. Last flight in
March 1976.

No, the radar didn't have a PD mode. IIRC, there was a switch position
(non-functional) for PD, indicating that the designers intended to have it.

I wondered if that might have been the case, kind of like the APS-107 (actually
an RWR not a radar) switch in the air force's F-4Es-- the system was never
installed in the F-4E. BTW, your memory is quite accurate. The radar function
switch has positions labeled OFF, STBY, PULSE, PD (this and PULSE under an arc
labeled OPR) and EMER.

Given the lack of a radar missile (AIM-9C notwithstanding, never carried it,
never even SAW it), pretty much a moot point.

If the PD mode had actually been available and worked, I'd think look-down
capability would be useful. But that assumes that it and the F-4J's APG-59 PD
mode worked looking down over land. Anyone care to comment on how well the
Phantom's PD mode worked (when the radar worked at all, that is) over water and
land?

Not a great radar (albeit better than that installed in the D/H and C/K).

How'd the APQ-94 in the E stack up,and what if any changes were there between it
and the J's -124? There's also mention of an APQ-149, which may apply to the
F-8H as an upgrade of the APQ-83 in the D, as they use the same control head.

snip

Guy