When it comes to aircraft, I’m sure that most of our readers have their favourites. And while these affections may change over time, I’m equally sure there would be many unforgettable moments that persist. For me personally, the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom was just such an aircraft. Its sheer size gave it a certain presence, combined with the raw power produced by its twin J79 General Electric-10 engines, capable of propelling it to Mach 2.2; and at the time gave airshow audiences many a WOW! moment.
The F-4 Phantom was primarily a long-range jet interceptor and fighter-bomber that first entered service in 1961. It was initially designed for the American Navy as a carrier-borne aircraft and later adopted by the USAF but only after a number of improvements were made to provide better air-to-air and ground attack performance.
Production ceased in 1979 by which time 5,195 had been built. The last examples were built in Japan and sent to South Korea which, I understand, still use them today. The F-4 was flown in the US operating mainly as target drones until 2016, when they were officially withdrawn from service.
This is not the first military aircraft created for Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) by DC Designs. They already h…
