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McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom 158378, VF-21 "Freelancers", US NAVY, 1974
General Background
The F-4 Phantom II first entered US Military service in 1960. It was designed as a fleet defense fighter for the US Navy but by 1963 it was adopted as the US Air Force primary fighter-bomber.
Despite the size and weight of this Cold War icon the F-4 broke 15 world records and continued to hold five of them until 1975.
Produced from 1960 to 1981 there were 5,195 Phantom IIs manufactured. Eleven countries other than the USA had the Phantom II in their inventory.
Produced from 1960 to 1981 there were 5,195 Phantom IIs manufactured. Eleven countries other than the USA had the Phantom II in their inventory.
The Aircraft
McDonnell Douglas F-4J 158378 MSN 4198 was the second last F-4J of a total of 522 to be
produced. The aircraft went into service with the USN VF-21 “Freelancers” in 1972 as NE-200.
VF-21 was assigned to Carrier Wing 2 (CVW-2) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61)
and was deployed to the Western Pacific from May 7, 1974 until October 18, 1974. 158378 was
the personal aircraft of the Commander of CVW-2. In 1982 158378 transferred to VMFAT-101
and then VMFA-212 before retiring to AMARC January 1985.
Specifications :
| Dimensions | |
| Length: | 17.7m |
| Height: | 4.7m |
| Wingspan: | 11.6m |
| Wingarea: | 49.2 sq m |
| No. of Engines: | 2 |
| Powerplant : | General Electric J79-GE-10 (A/B 17,900Lb/8,119Kg) |
| Performance |
|
| Range: | 2,222 km |
| Cruise Speed: | 908 km/h |
| Max Speed: | 2,299 km/h |
| Climb: | 12,572 m/min |
| Ceiling: | 16,672 m |