How is this for a lineup of classic combat aircraft from the Cold War through to the latest technology of today? Side by side late on the first day of Aviation Nation 2016 we have a 1960’s era design in the USAF McDonnell Douglas QF-4 Phantom II manned aerial target sitting alongside 1990’s technology in the form of US Navy Boeing F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornets (first entered service in 1999), then the latest fifth generation stealthy USAF Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor air dominance fighters that were introduced into service in 2005 and the newest kid on the block, the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter officially introduced into USAF service in 2016. The rolling fuselage lines have long since given way to radar deflecting and absorbing sharp edges but the aircraft all still look great no matter what era they are from.
Isn’t it interesting that modern fighters are going the way of twin tails!
The phantom is a real classic and has to go down as one of the world’s greatest aircraft – in my opinion anyway! That’s a great collection of hardware you have in one picture!
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The Phantom II is truly a legend! A great aircraft for sure
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