F-4 Phantom II
World's Leading Distributor of MiG Parts
Produced by
McDonnell Aircraft Corporation
(McDonnell Douglas Corporation)
Years in Service
1960 to present
Production Cost
$1,898,365 (1960)
[$21.6 million (2026)]
Number Produced
5,195
Wing Span
38 ft. 5 in.
27 ft. 6 in. (folded)
Length
58 ft. 2 in.
Height
16 ft. 6 in.
Weight
58,000 lbs (loaded)
Maximum Speed
1,400 MPH (Mach 1.82)
Average Cruising Speed
590 MPH (Mach .77)
Range
1,750 miles
Service Ceiling
59,600 feet
Crewed by
Two (2)
Pilot & Weapons & System Operator (USAF)
Pilot & Radar Intercept Operator (USN)
Armament(s)
Up to 16,000 lbs external munitions
20mm cannon pods
Engine
Two General Electric J-79-GE-15s with 17,000 lbs thrust each (w/ afterburners)
Flown By
Currently: Hellenic Air Force | Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force | Turkish Air Force
Formerly: US Air Force | US Navy | US Marine Corps | NASA | Royal Australian Air Force | Egyptian Air Force | German Air Force | Israeli Air Force | Iranian Royal Air Force | Japanese Air Self Defense Force | Republic of Korea Air Force | Spanish Air Force | Royal Air Force
First flown in May 1958, the Phantom II originally was developed for U.S. Navy fleet defense and entered service in 1961. The USAF evaluated it for close air support, interdiction, and counter-air operations and, in 1962, approved a USAF version.
The USAF’s Phantom II, designated F-4C, made its first flight on May 27, 1963. Production deliveries began in November 1963. In its air-to-ground role the F-4 can carry twice the normal bomb load of a WW II B-17. USAF F-4s also fly reconnaissance and “Wild Weasel” anti-aircraft missile suppression missions.
Phantom II production ended in 1979 after over 5,000 had been built, more than 2,600 for the USAF, about 1,200 for the Navy and Marine Corps, and the rest for friendly foreign nations. In 1965 the first USAF Phantom IIs were sent to Southeast Asia (SEA). The first USAF pilot to score four combat victories with F-4s in SEA was then Col. Robin Olds, a WW II ace.
The F-4 is the only plane that has been used by both the USAF Thunderbirds and the Navy Blue Angels.
Over 5,100 Phantoms were built for the USAF, Navy, Marines, and several countries around the world. F-4’s have set several speed and altitude records. Used as a ground attack fighter in Vietnam, the F-4 also proved to be an able air-to-air fighter– at least, three pilots who became aces during Vietnam were flying the Phantom.
The F-4 was last used as a radar-detection-and-destroy aircraft in the Gulf War. Several countries still use the Phantom in their air forces.
About Spook
In a rare turn of events, the F-4 Phantom II’s mascot was designed by one of McConnell Douglas’ own artists rather than something created by a member of the military. Anthony Wong’s design features a mysterious figure in a hat and trenchcoat, with only its eyes, hands, and boot-clad feet visible. The illustration’s first reported use was in 1958 and certainly is reminiscent of mid-century animation from companies like Hanna-Barbera.
Although Wong was the designer, he did not give a name to his creation. Instead, it’s generally agreed upon that the name “Spook” (or “Spooky”) came from MacDill AFB in Florida, however debate over which wing named him remains. Depending on the version being told, it was members of either the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing or the 4453rd Combat Crew Training Wing.
He is a popular mascot and one of the most recognizable. Official and unofficial versions of Spook exist, both in variations of his costume as well as his coloring. It seems that most of the changes made to the design focus on his chest medallion. While usually sporting the “II” for Phantom II, versions have included other numbers, letters, and even flags. Not all designs or uses of Spooky align with military code and may be privately produced for fans or veterans of the F-4.
About Our Plane
Tail Number
64-0783
Years in Service
1965 – 1987
Service Location(s)
Davis Monthan AFB | Tucson, AZ
Da Nang Air Base | Da Nang, South Vietnam
Phan Rang Air Base | Phan Rang, South Vietnam
Eglin AFB | Valparaiso, FL
Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base | Udorn Thani, Thailand
Naval Station Joint Reserve Base | New Orleans, LA
Luke AFB | Glendale, AZ
Hulman Field | Terre Haute, IN
March AFB | Riverside, CA
The F-4C Phantom II with Tail No. 64-0783 has been part of the Grissom Air Museum’s collections since 1987 but prior to its arrival, it’s service history took it literally around the world.
First built in mid-1965, our F-4 was only stateside for about four months before being sent overseas to Vietnam. Between January 1966 and 1970, the plane was stationed first at Da Nang Air Base before being sent to Phan Rang Air Base. It was assigned to the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing for the entirety of the conflict. Along with the F-4s, the wing also flew the B-57 Canberra and F-102 Delta Dagger.
The 35th TFW spent most of their time in Vietnam handling air support (close and direct), interdiction, reconnaissance (visual and armed), photography, escorting, and rapid action alert. Towards the end of the wing’s time in the conflict, they were used to support South Vietnamese actions in Cambodia and Laos. Detailed information about Tail No. 64-0783’s service in Vietnam is currently unavailable.
For whatever reason, Tail No. 64-0783 was sent back stateside for about a year and was assigned to the 58th Tactical Fighter Wing at Eglin AFB in Florida. By the summer of 1972, the entire wing was sent to Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand as part of the Summer Help Program. The wing and plane would remain in Thailand until recalled to the states in 1979. As with its first stint in Southeast Asia, direct information about its use during this time is unavailable.
Upon its return to the U.S., this F-4 was assigned to the 122nd Tactical Fighter Squadron at the New Orleans Joint Reserve Base and stayed in service with them until very late 1981. Its reassignment to the 426th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron at Luke lasted about four years but it’s uncertain whether it was used as a trainer or not.
It would make its way to Indiana in 1986 when it was sent to the 113th Tactical Fighter Squadron stationed at Hulman Field in Terre Haute. This transfer lasted for about a year before the plane was then sent to the 196th Tactical Fighter Squadron at March AFB in California.
By 1987, Tail No. 64-0783 reached the end of its life as an active service plane and would be handed over to the National Museum of the Air Force in Ohio. It would become part of its airplane loan program and be sent directly to Grissom AFB, where it has been under the care of the GAM ever since.