McDonnell Douglas F-4C Phantom II

The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II was designed as a missile-armed fleet defense fighter for the United States Navy.  In 1962, the U.S. Air Force selected the F-4 for its own use as both a fighter and a fighter-bomber.  Originally designated F-110 by the Air Force the plane became the F-4C under the unified designation scheme ordered by Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara.  The F-4C is the first version of the Phantom built for the Air Force.  Construction began in 1962 and concluded in 1966 with 583 built.  These aircraft saw extensive use in the Vietnam War and remained the primary USAF fighter into the late 1970s.

Service History

Built by McDonnell Aircraft in St. Louis, MO and delivered to the Air Force on March 15, 1965.

March 1965                 366^th Tactical Fighter Wing, Holloman AFB, New Mexico.

January 1966               12^th Tactical Fighter Wing, Can Ranh Bay Air Base, South Vietnam.

May 1967                    8^th Tactical Fighter Wing, Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand.

May 20, 1967               Major Philip Combies and Lt. Daniel Lafferty shoot down a MiG-17 while flying this aircraft with the 433^rd Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 8^th Tactical Fighter Wing.  It is Combies’ second aerial victory and Lafferty’s first.

October 1967              366^th Tactical Fighter Wing, Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam.

Manufacturer
McDonnell Douglas

Markings
8^th Tactical Fighter Wing, 433^rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, 1967

Designation
F-4C

Serial Number
64-0673