Designed for speed and power the F-4 Phanton pushed the boundries of the jet aircraft into the superfighters we know today. It was the forerunner for the multi-purpose armory, however, it was originally designed for the purpose of navy interseptor. McDonnell Douglas designed it and manufactured it. Their idea for the aircraft was revelutionary and soon caught hold of everyones attention. The war between North and South Korea brought the Phantom into it's first war. This war sent the F-4 into a large variation of combat missions, where it proved itself to be an excellent all weather interseptor. It also proved to be a reliable fighter-bomber. It didn't win that war, but that was because of political reasons. The F-4 always anounced it's arrival with huge plumes of black exhaust and a roar unmatched by any enemy fighter. Over 5100 F-4s were delivered to three U.S. armed serveces and ten friendly forien nations. A development off the F-4, the F-4J had a variety of new tactical and advanced electronics. Over all, 518 F-4Js flew in their premere in 1956. Modified specifically to handle the bomber sortie, the F-4J preformed beutifully, but it still remained to carry the original sortie of an all weather, and day-time interseptor. The F-4J also was equiped with the drooping ailerons and slotted stabelizers, as well as the new more powerfull J-79. It had a take-off weight of nearly 30 tons, and a top speed of 1500 miles an hour. The aircraft is a two man opperation, a pilot, and radar intersept officer / (flight officer). The F-4 also had a major role in Viet-Nam. Dropping phosferous, blast, and incindiary bombs, and at the beginning of the war destroying MiGs, gaining it's nick-name the "MiG ACE". Although now out-classed by several fighters and super-fighters, it remains in the history books as an incredible fighter for its time, and although never officially retired, a killer of its class.
