Years In Service: 1960-2024
Initial Flight: 1960
The McDonnell F-4 Phantom II was designed as a missile-armed fleet defense fighter for the United States Navy. In 1962, the U.S. Air Force selected the F-4 for its use as both a fighter and a fighter-bomber. All the Air Force and Navy aces of the Vietnam War flew F-4s. F-4s saw combat in both the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. Both U.S. military flight demonstration teams, the Navy-Blue Angels and the Air Force Thunderbirds, flew the Phantom II from 1969 to 1973.
Aircraft Specifications
Height: 16′ 6″ Wingspan: 38′ 6″ Length: 63′ Crew: 2 Armament: One M61A1 20mm cannon, 2 AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles Payload: 16,000 lbs. Thrust: 17,900 lbs. No. of Engines: 2 Max Speed: 1,500 mph Ceiling: 57,200 ft.