Dates

Event

Constructed as a F-4C-19-MC by at Saint Louis, Missouri, USA.

15 May 1964

First flight.

24 June 1964

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 63-7535.

By November 1966

To 480th TFS, 366th TFW, Da Nang AB, South Vietnam.
Markings added: HK

5 November 1966

Shot down a MiG-21 over North Vietnam. Four F-4Cs of the 366th TFW were providing escort for an EB-66 on 5 November when they were attacked by two or more MIG-21s in the northeastern section of North Vietnam, near Hanoi and Haiphong. The EB-66 was making its final orbit of the area and all of the escorting Phantoms were near the minimum fuel level for a safe return to their home station.The MIGs were first detected on radar at a range of 18 miles. Shortly after the EB-66 executed a left turn, Maj. James E. Tuck, flying the lead F-4, saw the MIGs visually and called them out to his flight.The first MIG launched a missile at the EB-66 just as that aircraft broke into a diving spiral. The missile missed. The F-4s and MiGs also spiraled down, and Tuck and his pilot, 1st Lt. John J. Rabeni, Jr., launched three Sparrow missiles. The explosion from the third Sparrow caused the MiG to flame out, and the pilot ejected.Meanwhile, a second MiG got on the tail of Major Tucks Phantom, and his wingman, 1st Lts. Wilbur J. Latham, Jr., and Klaus J. Klause, maneuvered to fire on it. During the execution of this maneuver, Latham saw a MiG (possibly a third one not previously observed) pull up in front of him, and he launched a Sidewinder. The missile exploded near the MiGs tailpipe, and the pilot ejected. The entire air battle lasted less than 3 minutes.

By July 1967

Transferred to 390th TFS, 366th TFW, Da Nang AB, South Vietnam.
Operated with markings: BB

15 July 1967

Destroyed.
Destroyed on the ground in a Viet Cong rocket attack.

The F-4C 63-7537 on display at Holloman AFB is displayed as this aircraft.
For more information about this other airframe see this Airframe Dossier