The F-4 Phantom II was developed by McDonnell Aircraft for the U.S. Navy and first flew in 1958, entering service in 1960. It was subsequently adopted by the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force, eventually serving with more than a dozen allied nations. A two-seat, twin-engine, all-weather supersonic aircraft, the Phantom served as the primary air superiority fighter for both the Navy and Air Force during much of the Vietnam War, and became important in ground-attack and reconnaissance roles as the conflict progressed. The U.S. military retired the F-4 from service in 1996, though several allied air forces continued flying it for decades afterward.
Aircraft Specifications
Physical Description
All-metal, twin-engine aircraft with a tandem two-seat cockpit, swept wings with distinctive downward-angled outer wing panels, and an upward-angled horizontal tail.
Crew: 2
Length: 58 ft 3 in
Wingspan: 38 ft 4 in
Height: 16 ft 3 in
Weight (empty / max takeoff): 27,800 lbs / 54,600 lbs
Maximum speed: 1,480 mph (Mach 2.2+)
Range: 1,610 miles
Service ceiling: 62,000 ft
Weapons
Armament: Designed around air-to-air missiles as primary armament; Air Force variants had an internal 20 mm rotary cannon.
Ordnance: Capable of carrying more than 18,000 lbs of air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, bombs, and rockets.
Key Accomplishments
Both the Air Force Thunderbirds (flying the F-4E) and the Navy Blue Angels (flying the F-4J) used the Phantom for aerial demonstration teams.
Build Date
1961
Manufacturer
McDonnell Aircraft (later McDonnell Douglas)
Dates of Service
1961 – 1980s
Country of Origin
United States
Inventory Number
Bureau #148252
Credit
Owned by the Museum.
Display Status
This aircraft began its career at Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California, in 1961. It was also stationed at Naval Air Station Miramar, California, and Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York, before retiring in the 1980s. The aircraft was disassembled and sent to the Quonset Air Museum at the former Quonset Point Naval Air Station in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, where it was placed on outdoor display. In August 2017, it was disassembled again and transferred to this Museum. Restoration was completed and the aircraft moved to the display yard in October 2020. The markings on its tail represent its last duty station with squadron VC-7 in New York.
Status: On display.
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