May 27, 1958

Well today was the 27th (I’m posting this very late at night and it’s already the 28th in Europe I guess.), and it was great for two reasons. First of I finished my dual cross country time, and I’m ready to do solo cross country’s for my PPL.

Secondly, and arguably most importantly, it is the birthday of the world’s greatest jet fighter! On the 27th of May 1958, the prototype YF4H-1 took off from Lambert Field in St. Louis, Missouri. Thus, the greatest jet fighter of all time was born! The F-4 Phantom is 45 years old, and still serving in nations all over the world, including the United States, even though not in frontline combat roles. Over 20 years of non-stop production saw over 5,000 Phantoms built in the largest production run of any Western jet fighter aside from North American’s legendary F-86 Sabre. The F-4 has seen more combat than any other jet fighter, and it has been hugely successful in many roles. It’s arguably the most versatile fighter of all time!

So here’s to McDonnell and their legendary F-4 Phantom ( orRhino, Double Ugly, Spook, or whatever you wish to call it), her 45th birthday.

Happy Birthday to the greatest fighter plane ever built! She’s 45 and still going strong!

May she reign for years to come!

Phantoms Phorever!