‘Missile Park’ Phantom to gain new colours

Work to refurbish former US Navy McDonnell Douglas F-4S Phantom II BuNo 157259 is under way

At the time of writing, the final ‘identity’ of the jet’s new scheme had yet to be revealed.

The Phantom is mounted on a plinth within the ‘Missile Park’ at Naval Air Station Point Mugu in California. Originally serving as an F-4J from December 1969, it was finally installed at the park during the early 1990s, and currently wears the markings of the long since disbanded Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Four (VX-4).

When the Phantom has been completed, attention will turn to the collection’s resident Grumman F-14A Tomcat, BuNo 158623.

McDonnell Douglas F-4S Phantom 157259 is being refurbished in California
McDonnell Douglas F-4S Phantom 157259 is being refurbished in California George Rose-Getty