The F-4 Phantom II

I have two versions of the F-4 Phantom II.  One in Navy markings and the other in US Air Force Vietnam Markings.  The picture tonight is the one in Air Force Markings.

The F-4 Phantom is probably one of the more successful jet designs in the world.  I has seen service with the US Air Force, Navy and Marines.  It has also been used by many of our allies around the world.  I believe it was the only aircraft to be used by both the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds.  When it was intially designed, it was believed that guns on aircraft were obsolete, so it did not have a cannon.  That was corrected in later models.

Originally designed for the Navy and was later adopted by the US Air Force.  It had its first flight in 1958 and entered service in 1960.  It is capable of going over Mach 2.  It proved to be a very versatile aircraft as it could carry air to air missiles and various air to ground weapons.

Israeli Phantoms saw extensive use in their various conflicts.  It was also used extensively in the Vietnam War.  A Wild Weasel version was used during Desert Storm.  Production of the Phantoms ended in 1981 and over 5,000 were produced.

The last Phantom left US Service in 1996.  They are still used by the Turkish Air Force.