The McDonnell Douglas F-4C Phantom II was a long-range supersonic interceptor and fighter-bomber jet that entered service in 1961. Built in St. Louis, Missouri, it was one of 5,195 produced, with 2,874 going to the USAF. It could exceed Mach 2.2, about 1,700 miles per hour, and carry more than 18,000 pounds of weapons. It served as the principal superiority fighter and was the last U.S. fighter to attain ace status, with five aircraft shot down, in the 20th century. The U.S. military used it until 1996. F-4C 63-7491 made its first flight on 3/31/64, was first assigned to the USAF 558th TFS at MacDill AFB, Florida, and then deployed to Vietnam at Cam Ranh Bay. In 1967 it was assigned to Davis Monthan AFB, Arizona, then to the 550TFTS at Luke AFB, Arizona, where it trained aircrews until 1976. It was then transferred to Hickam AFB, Hawaii, serving with the 154th TFG, 199th FIS of the Hawaii ANG until 1982, after which it was converted to a ground trainer. In 1985 it served as a ground trainer at Sheppard AFB, Texas, until retirement. It was preserved at Bethalto, Illinois, at St. Louis Regional Airport in 2002 and repainted in 2019.
