The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II first took to the skies in 1959. Right off the runway, it set 15 world records, including absolute speed and absolute altitude.
The big, twin-engine fighter’s history is inextricably linked with the Vietnam War, in which it played a critical role for the United States Air Force, Marine Corps, and the Navy. It performed air superiority, ground attack, and even reconnaissance functions for all three services.
The 41-ton Phantom soldiered on after the Vietnam War, providing air superiority throughout the Cold War. In fact, the F-4 went on to provide suppression of enemy air defenses during the Gulf War.
The Mach-2 fighter was finally retired in 1996, being replaced by the more modern F-14 Tomcat, F-16 Eagle, and F-16 Fighting Falcon.
The importance and ubiquity of the F-4 cannot be overstated, perhaps best illustrated that you’ll find one is almost every air museum in California.
These images were taken at the Point Mugu Missile Park in Port Hueneme, CA, Estrella Warbird Museum in Paso Robles, Santa Maria Museum of Flight in Santa Maria, and at the Mojave Air Museum Legacy Park in Mojave, CA.
Marvelous Air Museums 