5 September 1968

Aviation, , , ,
McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II
McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II, U.S. Navy Bu. No. 155772.

5 September 1968: The McDonnell Douglas Corporation delivers the 3,000th F-4 Phantom II, an F-4J, Bureau of Aeronautics serial number (“Bu. No.”) 155772, to the U.S. Navy.

155772 (McDonnell Douglas serial number 3000) was initially assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 333 (VMFA-333, Flying Shamrocks) with the codex number DN 106. In 1970, it was transferred to Navy Fighter Squadron 92 (VF-92, Silver Kings) as NG 213. In 1984 it was reassigned to VMFA-235 (Death Angels) as DB 01.

155772 was upgraded to the F-4S configuration.

The 3,000th Phantom II was withdrawn from service in April 1987. It was salvaged at MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, in September 1999.

© 2024, Bryan R. Swopes

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About Bryan Swopes

Bryan R. Swopes grew up in Southern California in the 1950s–60s, near the center of America's aerospace industry. He has had a life-long interest in aviation and space flight. Bryan is a retired commercial helicopter pilot and flight instructor.

4 thoughts on “5 September 1968”

  1. Pingback: 5 September 1968 – Muskegon Area RC

  2. Growing up in St. Louis with many family and friends employed at McDonnell Aircraft, I was very much aware and in awe of the aircraft produced there. In October 1968 I was a young Marine assigned to VMFA-333 at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina. I was never so proud as the first day I walked out onto that flight line and saw before me twenty beautiful brand new McDonnell Douglas F-4J’s. Phantoms Phorever!

  4. They where a maintenance nightmare, I worked on them all thru my 22yrs in Air Force from 1967 Thru 1989 retirement. The total four years on the F-4s in the service and two years as a civilian crewchier for Collings Foundation. The pilot for Collings Foundation at the beginning of 2000 was Ret. Brig Gen Steven Retichie one of the Veitnam F-4 ACE. Crewed and flew with the F-4 to a few Air Show; The Gen would let me fly the F-4 to the base of air show. I see why pilots loved to fly the old bird.. What a Blast. ! But working on her was a different story.. No job was easy.. send hours of taken a part to get to the componet that needed replaced. Gen Retichie was a wonder person and a lot fun to work with.

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