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First flown in May 1958, the Phantom II originally was developed for U.S. Navy fleet defense and entered service in 1961. The USAF evaluated it (as the F-110A "Spectre") for close air support, interdiction, and counter-air operations and, in 1962, approved a USAF version. The USAF's Phantom II, designated F-4C, made its first flight on May 27, 1963. Production deliveries began in November 1963. In its air-to-ground role the F-4 can carry twice the normal bomb load of a WW II B-17. USAF F-4s also fly reconnaissance and "Wild Weasel" anti-aircraft missile suppression missions. Phantom II production ended in 1979 after over 5,000 had been built--more than 2,800 for the USAF, about 1,200 for the Navy and Marine Corps, and the rest for friendly foreign nations.

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Red star denote air-to-air combat victories.

In 1965 the first USAF Phantom IIs were sent to Southeast Asia (SEA). The first USAF pilot to score four combat victories with F-4s in SEA was then-Col. Robin Olds, a WW II ace. The aircraft on actual display at the USAF Museum is the one in which Col. Olds, the aircraft commander, and Lt. Stephan B. Croker, the backseat pilot, scored two of those victories in a single day, May 20, 1967.

PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed: 1,400 mph/1210 knots at 40,000 ft. maximum power (ferry mission)
Cruising speed: 590 mph/546 knots at 35,000 ft.
Range: 1,750 miles/1528 nautical miles ferry mission with one 600 gal. and two 370 gal. external tanks.
Service Ceiling: 59,600 ft.

 

PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT COURTESY OF THE AIR FORCE MUSEUM

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