THE PHABULOUS PHANTOM
The F-4 Phantom is America's post
WWII fighter of the ages. It was USA's
most widely used and produced fighter
after WWII. Originally designed as a
Navy interceptor it was eventually
adopted by the USAF and USMC as
well. With its droopy nose, up bent
wingtips and downward sloping
horizontal stabilizers it was a brute of a
warplane. Two powerful Pratt and
Whitney J-79GE-17 engines gave the
"Spook" Mach 2 speed. It would be
flown by numerous nations around the
world. These would include Britain,
West Germany, Israel, Japan, S. Korea
and many more nations. Even after its
first flight in May 1958 a few air forces
still fly Phantoms in 2010. Over 50
years of service. Incredible. Armed at
first with Sidewinder and Sparrow
missles only, it would become the air
superiorty fighter for the US in
Vietnam. Eventualy in 1967 a nose
mounted gun would be built into the
F-4E. These F-4Es are the type still
mainly used today in 2010. The USAF
still flies QF-4E/Gs as target drone
aircraft. Here are some photos of the
Phabulous Phantom that I've captured
over the years. The oldest shots date
back to 1978. Enjoy the photos!
The F-4 Phantom is America's post
WWII fighter of the ages. It was USA's
most widely used and produced fighter
after WWII. Originally designed as a
Navy interceptor it was eventually
adopted by the USAF and USMC as
well. With its droopy nose, up bent
wingtips and downward sloping
horizontal stabilizers it was a brute of a
warplane. Two powerful Pratt and
Whitney J-79GE-17 engines gave the
"Spook" Mach 2 speed. It would be
flown by numerous nations around the
world. These would include Britain,
West Germany, Israel, Japan, S. Korea
and many more nations. Even after its
first flight in May 1958 a few air forces
still fly Phantoms in 2010. Over 50
years of service. Incredible. Armed at
first with Sidewinder and Sparrow
missles only, it would become the air
superiorty fighter for the US in
Vietnam. Eventualy in 1967 a nose
mounted gun would be built into the
F-4E. These F-4Es are the type still
mainly used today in 2010. The USAF
still flies QF-4E/Gs as target drone
aircraft. Here are some photos of the
Phabulous Phantom that I've captured
over the years. The oldest shots date
back to 1978. Enjoy the photos!
