F-4 Phanton II
Posted by: 
sfwife
N 27° 51.826 W 082° 29.346
17R E 353394 N 3083001
The McDonnell F-4 was produced originally for the U.S. Navy as a carrier-launched aircraft but its versatility was realized quickly and the U.S. Air Force adopted it and modified it for normal runway use.
Waymark Code: WM22D9
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 08/23/2007
Views: 109
The F-4 was to become a mainstay for many allied nations' air forces also. The aircraft had a 2 man crew, consisting of either two pilots or a pilot and a weapon systems operator (rated navigator). It was capable of more than 1600 miles per hour, andwas armed with air-to-air missiles, a multi-barrel cannon, and up to 12,500 pounds of various types of munitions. In 1964 MacDill's 12th and 15th tactical fighter sings (TFW) were the first USAF organizations to receive the F-4C and in April 1965 the base's 15th tactical fighter squadron became the first USAF F-4 unit to see action in the Vietnam War. Flying was to become one of the workhorses of the air war. Crews from MacDill's 45th Tactical Fighter Squadron achieved the first air victories of the war by downing two North Vietnamese aircrafts. In the mid sixties MacDill was assigned the missin of training F-4 crews for combat in SE Asia, a role that was to continue until the aircraft left MacDill. In 1970 the 1st TFW became the host organization and in 1975 the 56th TFW replaced the 1st. The base continued its role of training F-4 aircrews until 1979 when it became the combat crew training base for the new f-16. The Aircraft on display was stationed at MacDill from 1968-1969 and then became a member of the famous "Thunderbirds", the USAF aerial demonstration team, until 1982. The aircraft bears the name of the first 56 TFW Commander at MacDill, Major General ERnest A. Bedke.
Type of Aircraft: (make/model): F-4 Phanton II
Tail Number: (S/N): MC AF 66302
Construction:: original aircraft
Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): MacDill Memorial Park on MacDill AFB
inside / outside: outside
Other Information:: Not listed
Access restrictions: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Photo of aircraft (required - will be interesting to see if the aircraft is ever repainted or progress if being restored)
Photo of serial number (required unless there is not one or it is a replica)
Photo(s) of any artwork on the aircraft (optional but interesting)
Tell why you are visiting this waymark along with any other interesting facts or personal experiences about the aircraft not already mentioned.