Achievements
The F-4 established 16 speed, altitude and time-to-climb records. In 1959, its prototype set the world altitude record at 98,556 feet. In 1961, an F-4 set the world speed record at 1,604 mph on a 15-mile circuit. By the end of production in 1985, McDonnell had built 5,068 Phantom II’s. Bu.No. 153879
Active Duty Life: 1960 to 1996
Design Features
- Armed with missiles only until the F-4C version installed an external 20mm gun pod. The F-4E got an internally mounted Vulcan M61A 20mm canon.
- Boundary layer air control system on leading edge flaps
- Could carry an external bomb load of no less than 22,500 lb. – greater than that of a Boeing B-29 Superfortress.
Specifications on Wikipedia
Read More
- “US Navy F-4 Phantom II MiG Killers 1965-70” by Peter Davies, Osprey Combat Aircraft #26
- “US Navy F-4 Phantom II MiG Killers 1972-73” by Peter Davies, Osprey Combat Aircraft #30
- “F-4 Phantom II vs MiG-21” by Peter Davies, Osprey Publishing
