F-4C Phantom II
aka Phantom
Manufacturter:
McDonnell Douglas Corporation
Wingspan:
38 ft 5 in
Length
58 ft 2 in
Max Speed:
1386
Range:
1750 mi
Service Ceiling:
60,000 ft
Entered Production:
1963
Total Manufactured:
5,195
Armament:
(If applicable)
Four AIM-7E, four AIM-9B air-to-air missiles, and eight 750-pound Mk 117 bombs
Summary
Considered one of the world’s greatest combat aircraft, the Phantom II was first developed for the United States Navy fleet as a defense fighter to replace the F3H Demon. The F-4C first flew in 1963, and deliveries began just six months after the first test flight. It was first used by the Navy as an interceptor, but was soon employed by the US Marine Corps for ground support. It excelled in air superiority, close air support, interception, air defense suppression, long-range strike, fleet defense, and attack reconnaissance. The first Air Force pilot to score four combat victories with F-4s was Col. Robin Olds, a World War II ace and original Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum board member.
Overview
Our F-4C #64-0792 was delivered to the Air Force in August 1965, and assigned a year later to the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing 559th Tactical Fighter Squadron, stationed at Cam Rahn Bay Air Base in South Vietnam. Nicknamed Smoothie, her primary crew were pilot Capt. Frederick Siebert and weapons system operator Capt. Patrick Hayes. Hit four times by flak over Vietnam, Smoothie survived the conflict to be assigned to the Hawaii Air National Guard, where she was renamed Puʻeo, Hawaiian for a native species of owl.
