F-4 Phantom II

The F-4 is a twin seater, twin engine fighter. It was the first plane to be used in the Navy, the Marines, and the Air Force. It was operated by 12 different nations. It was also used as a Navy Blue Angel and an Air Force Thunderbird.

The Phantom II was a record breaker. It flew at 1,390 mph for over 100 km (62 miles). It also raced from L.A. to New York, a distance of 2,445 miles in only 43 minutes, another record. On Nov. 22, 1961, the Phantom broke the speed record again and put it at 1,666 mph. It also climbed to 98,425 feet in 371.4 sec.

While it can travel at very high speeds, it can also operate safely at 125 mph which is perfect for Naval operations.

In Vietnam it not only served as an all weather fighter, but as a fighter-bomber and interceptor.

The F-4 can be armed with heat seeking Sidewinder missiles and a radar guided Sparrow III. It is also capable of carrying 16,000 pounds of bombs.

By 1990 the F-4 was being replaced by the F-14 but the F-4 will stay in service for a long time since its first flight in 1958.