The "Phabulous Phantom" remains one of the most imposing fighters ever developed by the United States. First used in 1960 by the Navy as a carrier based fighter‐bomber, Phantom would also become a workhorse for the Marines and Air Force during the Vietnam War and would play a significant role in Operation Desert Storm before its retirement in 1996. In combat the F‐4 held a superior advantage in thrust and was capable of reaching 1,485 mph with a climb rate of approximately 41,000 feet per minute! Phantom could carry more than 16,000 pounds of ordinance that included Sparrow and Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. Ultimately, Phantom was responsible for 280 air to air victories, the vast majority of them in the skies over Vietnam. Ultimately, over 5000 Phantoms were built between 1958 and 1981. Phantoms continue to serve in foreign militaries around the world.
| Type | Two-seat Carrier-borne Interceptor, Fighter-bomber |
|---|---|
| Bureau Number | 153077 |
| NMNA ID | 2005.071.001 |
| Powerplant | Two 79.65-kN (17,920-lb-thrust) General Electric J79-‐8A afterburning turbojets |
| Maximum speed | 2390 km/h (1485 mph), Mach 2.23 |
| Combat radius | 1450 km (900 miles) |
| Range | 3700 km (2294 miles) |
| Service ceiling | 21,640 m (71,000 ft) |
| Armament | Four AIM-7 Sparrow medium-range and four AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles, plus various air-to-ground stores |
| Weights | Empty 12,701 kg (27,942 lb) Maximum take-off 24,766 kg (54,485 lb) |
| Dimensions | Span: 11.71 m (38 ft 5 in) Length: 17.75 m (58 ft 3 in) Height: 4.95 m (16 ft 3 in) Wing Area: 49.24 m2 (530 sq ft) |
