What made the F-4 Phantom special? In the 1950s, McDonnell Aircraft began the development of what was once described as one of the greatest fighters of the post-World War II era. Originally developed as an attack aircraft with four 20mm guns, the F-4 Phantom evolved into an advanced – yet gun-less – all-weather interceptor that was equipped with advanced radar and missile armament. Just thirty-one months after its first flight it was adopted by the United States Navy in 1961 – becoming the service’s fastest, highest-flying, and longest range fighter.
Soon after, the aircraft was adopted by the United States Marine Corps and the United States Air Force. The tandem two-seat, twin-engine, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor and fighter-bomber proved to be ideally suited to the military’s needs during the Cold War.
It was well armed, and could carry more than 18,000 pounds (8,400 kg) of weapons on nine external hardpoints, including air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, and various bombs. Later models also incorporated the M61 Vulcan rotary cannon to give the warbird a bit more firepower. The aircraft was also equipped with Westinghouse APQ-72 radar, IR detector in a small fairing under the nose.
The aircraft had numerous colorful nicknames, including the “Spook,” “Flying Brick,” “Double Ugly,” “Rhino” and “Big Iron Sled.” However, it was officially named Phantom II on July 3, 1959, during a ceremony held at the McDonnell plant in St. Louis, Mo., to celebrate the company’s 20th anniversary
However, over time, the numeral “II” had been discontinued; the F-4 had become the only Phantom.
It F-4 took part in multiple combat operations during the Vietnam War. The Air Force sent its first F-4Cs to Southeast Asia in 1965, where they conducted air-to-air missions against North Vietnamese fighters as well as attacking ground targets. In its air-to-ground role, the F-4C could carry twice the normal load of a WWII B-17.
The F-4 Phantom II remained in service throughout the Cold War and even took part in Operation Desert Storm in Iraq before being retired by the U.S. military in 1996.
