The prototype Phantom II flew in 1958 under the U.S. Navy designation of
F4H. It was the first aircraft that could detect, intercept and
destroy a target within its radar range without assistance from
surface-based radar.
The US Air Force tested the Phantom II as the F-110; however, by an
interservice agreement in 1962, both services redesignated the Phantom as
the F-4.
The F-4 saw extensive use in Vietnam and played a first-line role with
the armed forces of Australia, Egypt, Greece, Iran, Israel, Japan, South
Korea, Spain, Turkey, the UK, the US, and West Germany. Almost 5,200
were built.
