@Pacific Aviation Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii
August 2016
Among the aircraft in the collection of this Hawaiian museum is this Phantom wearing the Vietnam color scheme of the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing’s 559th Tactical Fighter Squadron. Phantom crews claimed 164.5 MiG kills in Vietnam, with a lifetime tally of 280 air kills. However, its kill-to-loss ratio in Vietnam was far from spectacular—only about 2:1. Designed by McDonnell Aircraft and first flown in 1958, this classic fighter 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. McDonnell Aircraft would later merge with Douglas Aircraft in 1967. The Pacific Aviation Museum opened its doors in 2006. Nikon D500 w/18-200 mm, processed with Aperture.
