![]() ![]() ![]() Proving highly adaptable, it first entered service with the Navy in 1961 before it was adopted by the United States Marine Corps and the United States Air Force, and by the mid-1960s it had become a major part of their air arms. The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is an American tandem two-seat, twin-engine, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor and fighter-bomber originally developed by McDonnell Aircraft for the United States Navy. Several even passed their pilot's license while part of the youth group! Awesome job guys and gals! Since then, it's been restored to current condition by EWM member (above), then EWM member Peter Visel, and most recently by the Estrella Warbirds Museum Middle &High School Youth Group. It last served at NAS North Island before the forward section was transferred on loan to Estrella Warbirds Museum, October 16, 2004. This particular aircraft had multiple lives, having spent time as a McDonnell F-4J-36-MC Phantom, then converted to an F-4S. Most recently it was found at the initial weekend showing for the latest Top Gun movie. The cockpit can easily be transported to various civic events where it always draws a crowd. With a lot of time, expense, and creativity, he and Gary Ryan restored the basket-case into an attractive trailerable "photo-op" display, painted to honor the Blue Angels. Museum member Wayne King spotted it there and convinced the Navy to release it as surplus, then brought it back on a trailer. This particular plane, a two-place reconnaissance and training version, was a derelict at NAS Alameda, abandoned to die ungracefully with its rear fuselage and wings missing. On loan from National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, FL North American SNJ-5C AT 6D Cashen Texan. ![]()
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