This is a history of the F-4; the twin crew, twin engine McDonnell Douglas F-4 missile-armed fighter plane. The plane was intended to be just a US-Naval fighter, but it proved its worth in other roles, achieving remarkable performance and service across the board. The Phantom served in the Vietnam War and was admired by a number of overseas powers, including Britain, Germany and Japan. A few of the aircrafts built between 1858 and 1981 are still operational today. The book covers naval and land-based variants, development prototypes, modifications and service histories of the Phantom.