@ Santa Maria, CA
August 2010
Santa Maria Airport is the home to this charming museum, the Bigelow hangar might be recognizable to fans of the film “Rocketeer” which was filmed at this airport. Designed by McDonnell Aircraft and first flown in 1958, the classic F-4 Phantom II served with all three US services and air forces around the world. December 21, 2016 would mark the phinal retirement of the Phantom from US service. F-4 production ran from 1958 to 1981, with a total of 5,195 built, making it the most produced American supersonic military aircraft. The F-4S was the designation for F-4Js modernized with smokeless engines, reinforced airframe and leading-edge slats for improved maneuverability. First flown July 1977, 302 aircraft were converted. Nikon D300 w/18-200mm.
