McDonnel Douglas F-4 Phantom

The McDonnel Douglas F-4 Phantom was developed as a superiority fighter and interceptor for deployment aboard U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, or "Flat Top" ships. It held the world speed record for more than 10 years and had a top level flight speed of 1,475 mph, still the approximate maximum speed of many top fighter aircraft. The Navy replaced it as its premier fighter with the F-14 Tomcat in 1974. Fighter Squadron 142, the Ghostriders, made its last F-4 deployment aboard the U.S.S. America. In the Vietnam War, the next to last MiG kill was shot down by a Navy Fighter Squadron 142 Phantom flown by Lt. j.g. Scott Davis of North Louisiana together with his navigator, Jeff Ulrich. Lt. Garry Lewis of Livingston, Louisiana, donor of the Livingston Executive Airport land, assisted by Captain Alton Ross, and both VF-142 Ghostrider pilots, were instrumental in having this Navy aircraft loaned to Livingston for display.

Louisiana · United States