A Brief History of the F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II was originally designed for the U.S. Navy as a fleet defense fighter. The first Phantom flew on May 27, 1958. The first USAF version of the Phantom was the F-4C. It made its first flight in May of 1963. Production deliveries began six months later. The Phantom was a dominant fighter. They were flown by the United States Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, in addition to air forces and navies across the globe. Whether it was air superiority, tactical bombing, fleet defense, reconnaissance, or ground attack, the Phantom could fill the roll.
December 21, 2016 marked the final flight of a U.S. military Phantom, and the end of 53 years of service, with a ceremony at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. Japan was the last nation to cease Phantom flight operations. After 48 years of service, the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) flew the F-4E/J for the last time on March 9, 2020.
“Smile for the Camera”
I’m proud to present another in a series of artwork featuring the McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom II. It’s called “Smile for the Camera.” This is a 24X18 inch art print featuring everyone’s favorite “Recce Rhino” marked as a 12th TRS Phantom doing its thing, flying a tactical photographic reconnaissance mission over hostile territory in North Vietnam. Amazing that these planes were called on to fulfill their mission roles all the way into the 1990s during Desert Storm/Shield. Want one of your own? Hit the button below!
“Into the Fire”
“Into the Fire” is a dramatic 18X24 inch fine art print featuring a McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom and her crew battling through a barrage of anti-aircraft fire over North Vietnam. The plane I featured in my work is 68-0338. She was an F-4E-37-MC Phantom II built in St. Louis, Missouri. She was used to shoot down two MiG-21s during the Vietnam War. The first was on May 31, 1972, over North Vietnam. The second was September 16, 1972. She was last assigned to the 110th TFS, at Lambert International Airport in St. Louis, Missouri, adjacent to the plant where she was built.
“Alone, Unarmed, and Unafraid”
“Alone, Unarmed, and Unafraid” features a pair of McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantoms assigned to the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (TRS). The 12th TRS “Blackbirds” were based at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, in the Republic of Vietnam. They flew over 26,000 combat reconnaissance sorties for over 53,000 hours-more than that squadron flew in World War II and the Korean War combined. Two-thirds of those sorties were flown at night. This 24X18 inch commemorative fine art print can be purchased at my Fine Art America store. Or, if you desire, you can buy one of 20 signed and numbered limited edition prints through my website store.
RF-4C Phantom II Blueprint
My 24×18 inch blueprint illustration features the 12th TRS RF-4C Phantom II in three orthographic views with a data block describing the aircraft and its performance. This print is available only through my Fine Art America page.
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
This 24X36 inch art print features the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II in its USAF Southeast Asia camouflage paint scheme, which they wore throughout the Vietnam War. This print is only available through my Fine Art America store.
12th TRS RF-4C Phantom Profile
This authentically detailed 36X12 inch profile illustration features 12th TRS “Blackbirds” McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom II 70-452. Get yours at my Fine Art America store.
RF-4C Phantom 64-1047, “The Iraqi Scud Seeker”
“The Scud Seeker” is a 24X18 inch fine art print of my artwork that features McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom 64-1047, better known as “The Iraqi Scud Seeker.” She was last flown by the “Recce Rebels” of the 106th TRS to provide tactical photographic reconnaissance during Operation Desert Storm/Shield.
64-1047 flew a record 172 sorties. She had over 7,200 hours of flight time when she landed at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in 1994 where she is now on display.
“The Scud Seeker” features 64-1047 flying over the desert in a “severe clear” azure blue sky. Order your print at my Fine Art America store. Or, if you desire, order one of only 20 signed and numbered limited edition art prints through my website store.
McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom II 64-1047 Profile
My 36X12 inch profile illustration shows McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom 64-1047 set against the current Alabama state flag. The 106th TRS “Recce Rebels” were based at Birmingham, Alabama, and flew the “The Iraqi Scud Seeker” in photographic reconnaissance missions during Operation Desert Storm/Shield. This unique aircraft profile art print is only available at my Fine Art America store.
“Phantoms Inbound Key” RF-4C Phantom 67-4038 of the 153rd TRS
Own a collectable aviation art print and donate to a great veterans association!
“Phantoms Inbound Key” is a 24×18 inch limited edition print commissioned by the East Mississippi Veterans Foundation. It features two iconic RF-4C Phantoms flown by the 153rd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron at historic Key Field in Meridian, Mississippi.
The East Mississippi Veterans Foundation saved 67-0438 from the Davis Monthan AFB “boneyard”and a date with a shredder. They brought her home to their veterans memorial park in Meridian, Mississippi, where she’s now on display after a cosmetic restoration. All proceeds from this print help the EMVF with the cost of transporting 0438 from Davis Monthan AFB, her restoration, and display.
Buy your own limited edition print today while they’re still available! Prints were limited to 100, however, and over half of them have been sold! These limited edition art prints are only available in my website store! USPS Priority Mail shipping is FREE!
Related:
Check out a predecessor to the Phantom, the McDonnell F-101B Voodoo.
