McDonnell F-4 Phantom II (1958-1979): Some aircraft are memorable for the total number produced, some for length of service, and some for their combat record. It is rare when one airplane becomes known worldwide for all three. Such was the McDonnell Phantom II. The Phantom II was a supersonic jet designed to perform every classical fighter mission ever conceived. It made its first flight on May 27, 1958, and quickly went on to establish 16 speed, altitude and time-to-climb records. In 1959 the Phantom II set the world altitude record at 98,556 feet, and in 1961 it took the world speed record at 1,604 mph. It was the first supersonic jet fighter to serve simultaneously with the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force. In 1969, it became the only fighter ever to fly concurrently with the Air Force’s Thunderbirds and the Navy’s Blue Angels flight demonstration teams. The Phantom II also served in the air arms of eleven other nations. The last of 5,057 St. Louis-built Phantoms was delivered in 1979. Approximately 800 are still in service today.