McDonnell Douglas F-4S Phantom II

@ Santa Maria, CA

August 2010

A tired Phantom displayed at the Santa Maria Museum of Flight. Designed by McDonnell Aircraft and first flown in 1958, the classic F-4 Phantom II served with three US services and air forces around the world.  December 21, 2016 would mark the phinal retirement of the Phantom from US service.  F-4 production ran from 1958 to 1981, with a total of 5,195 built, making it the most produced American supersonic military aircraft.  The F-4S was the designation for F-4Js modernized with smokeless engines, reinforced airframe and leading-edge slats for improved maneuverability.  First flown July 1977, 302 aircraft were converted.  This veteran wears the colors of VF-151, flying four Phantom variants from 1964-1986, lastly on the USS Midway. On March 24, 1986, the squadron flew off USS Midway for the last time as VF-151. This was also the last flight of the F-4 Phantom II from the deck of an aircraft carrier.

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