McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II was designed as a missile-armed fleet defense fighter for the United States Navy. In 1962, the U.S. Air Force selected the F-4 for its own use as both a fighter and a fighter-bomber. Originally designated F-110 by the Air Force the plane became the F-4C under the unified designation scheme ordered by Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara. The F-4E is a greatly improved version of the Phantom with numerous improvements to the engines and electronic systems. The most recognizable change is the addition of an internally mounted gun for air-to-air combat mounted under the nose of the aircraft. This addressed the greatest combat weakness of the Phantom. The F-4E is the most produced version of the Phantom with a total of 1,387 built for the U.S. Air Force and foreign customers.

Service History
Built by McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis, MO and delivered to the Air Force on December 16th 1967.
December 1967 To 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Eglin AFB, Florida.
February 1969 Returned to McDonnell Douglas factory for modifications for use by U.S. Air Force “Thunderbirds” demonstration team.
May 1969 To 4525th Fighter Weapons Wing, Nellis AFB, Nevada. Accepted by Thunderbirds on May 3, 1969.
December 1974 To 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, George AFB, California.
December 1976 To 37th Tactical Fighter Training Wing, Luke AFB, Arizona.
February 1977 To 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, George AFB, California.
October 1978 To Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB, California.
January 1986 Converted to NF-4E for use as a chase plane for cruise missile development.
September 1989 To 6510th Test Wing, 6512th Test Squadron, Edwards AFB, California.
March 1992 To Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona for storage.
April 1994 Loaned to Pima Air & Space Museum by the National Museum of