“Snoopy”, “Rhino”, “Old Smokey”, “Lead Sled” – these are a few of the nicknames given to the F-4 Phantom II, a two-seat, twin-engine, all-weather, long-range supersonic fighter-bomber that first entered the US Air Force in 1962.
Due to its success against Soviet built aircraft during Vietnam war, the F-4 also become known as the “World’s Leading Distributor of MiG parts”.
The F-4 excelled in all operations it was involved in. Also, Phantom set 16 speed and altitude world records.
First flight: May 27, 1958 (prototype YF4H-1)
Wingspan: 38 feet 5 inches
Length: 58 feet 3 inches
Height: 16 feet 6 inches
Ceiling: 56,100 feet
Range: 1,750 miles
Weight: 55,597 pounds
Power plant: Two 17,900 pound thrust General Electric J79-GE-17
Max. Speed: 1,485 mph
Two man crew
Armament: 15,983 pounds of weapons, including 20 mm nose mounted M-61 “Vulcan” cannon
