April 2014
My first visit to the USS Midway museum brought me face to face with this pristine Phantom. 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, a reinforced airframe and leading-edge slats for improved maneuverability. First flown July 1977 with 302 aircraft converted. Nikon D7000 w/18-200mm.