The Incredible F4 Phantom Jet Fighter
Article about: Jet Fighters, Supersonic Aircraft, The F4 Phantom
More than 40 years ago, on May 27, 1958 the first Phantom F4 fighter jet took to the skies. This incredible aircraft the first one used as an interceptor by the U.S. Navy, was also capable of flying as a ground support bomber for the United States Marine Corps. The aircraft has flown an infinite variety of missions such as, air superiority, close air support, interceptor missions, air defense suppression, long range strikes, attack and reconnaissance. It still holds records today in a variety of categories that no other aircraft can challenge.
Its main form of notoriety was its use during the Vietnam War. Nothing was more comforting to the soldiers of the Vietnam conflict, than to see this beautiful aircraft come to their aid with its fearsome and deadly accurate fire support. There has been a multitude of lives saved by the timing and precision of this awesome aircraft. It has also been used with great success in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm.
The Phantom was the first multi-service aircraft, having flown with the U.S. Navy, Air Force and Marines. It is the first and only aircraft to be flown concurrently by both the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. From 1958 until its retirement in 1996, it has flown more than 17 million miles and is still active today in the defense of 11 nations worldwide.
The Phantom was built by Mc Donnell Douglas Aircraft in St. Louis, Missouri. There were 5,057 of the planes built in the United States, and it still holds the record for the largest production run of any supersonic jet fighter built in the United States.
The jet fighter seated two pilots, and flew at Mach 2 (twice the speed of sound) and could carry a payload of up to 16,000 pounds of bombs, rockets, missiles and guns. The pilots that flew this incredible fighter praised it for its reliability, effectiveness, and most of all its safety.
The F4 Phantom today, remains one of the most popular aircraft of all time with both pilots and aircraft buffs of all ages. Its popularity is evident by the fact that many of the airshows conducted within the United States each year features the mighty Phantom F4 as its headliner.
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...