The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom was one of the most successful post-war jet fighters and was the second most prolific American jet fighter to be built, outnumbered only by the North American Sabre. Total US production was 5057, with another 138 being built under license in Japan, and the Phantom remained in continuous production for 20 years from 1959 until 1979, and during the Vietnam War, 72 Phantoms were coming off the production line every month. It was on the 25th of July, 1955 that the Navy and McDonnell agreed to a detailed list of specifications for the YF4H-l,the forerunner of the Phantom. The aircraft was to be capable of staying on patrol for up to two hours at a time at a distance of up to 250 nautical miles from its carriers and was to be able to remain in the air for at least three hours without midair refuelling and carry a crew of two. Initially the aircraft was to be named 'Mithras' or 'Satan', however under government pressure the aircraft was given the less controversial name of 'Phantom II'. During its service it gained a number of nicknames such as 'Double Ugly', Rhino' and 'The Louisville Slugger' to name but three, as well as its acknowledgement for being the 'World's Leading Distributor of MiG Parts'!
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