McDonnell Douglas F-4B/J PHANTOM II

In 1954, McDonnell privately designed a single seat naval fighter with two engines. The US Navy made a request to the company for a two-seat carrier fighter with an advanced radar and armed only with missiles. As the last but not least requirement, the new aircraft must have the capacity to carry out attack missions. In 1955 McDonnell changed its original design and ended up presenting a prototype called XF4H-1 that flew for the first time in May 1958. In December 1960 the US Navy received a first batch of F4F-1H, which later was designated F-4A Phantom II. These first aircrafts were used as trainers and they obtained some records between 1959 and 1962. In June 1961, deliveries of the F-4B variant began, with more powerful engines, improved radar and a raised cockpit canopy among other modifications. The Marines would receive their first F-4B in 1962 and in August 1964 they had their baptism of fire in the Vietnam War. In December of 1966, a new variant designated as F-4J entered service with even more powerful engines and improved avionics and radar. In 1972, 228 F-4Bs were converted to F-4J variant, being designated as F-4N. Between 1977 and 1982, the F-4J was improved, giving rise to the F-4S variant, which was the last to be withdrawn by the US. Navy and the US Marines in 1989 and 1990 respectively.

F-4B/J PHANTOM II gallery and more info