@ Santa Maria, CA
August 2010
A tired Phantom displayed at the Santa Maria Museum of Flight. Designed by McDonnell Aircraft and first flown in 1958, the classic F-4 Phantom II served with 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. This veteran wears the colors of VF-151, flying four Phantom variants from 1964-1986, lastly on the USS Midway. On March 24, 1986, the squadron flew off USS Midway for the last time as VF-151. This was also the last flight of the F-4 Phantom II from the deck of an aircraft carrier.