Mojave in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

F-4 Phantom II

Photographed by Denise Boose, August 10, 2018

1. F-4 Phantom II Marker

Inscription. Creating sonic booms over Mojave, the F-4 Phantom II could reach speeds of Mach 2.2. It was the last fighter to be flown by pilots attaining ace status in the 20th century. Upon its retirement in 1996, 316 F-4 aircraft were then converted to drones at Mojave Airport.

This F-4 was built by McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis, Missouri in 1964 and was flown by the US Air Force in Vietnam.

In 1986 it was converted to a drone by Tracor Flight Systems. The US Air Force loaned this aircraft to Mojave Air and Space Port for display in 1988.

Erected 2018 by Mojave Transportation Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical year for this entry is 1996.

Location. 35° 2.713′ N, 118° 9.521′ W. Marker is in Mojave, California, in Kern County. It is at the intersection of Mojave-Barstow Highway (California Route 58) and Airport Boulevard, on the right when traveling west on Mojave-Barstow Highway. Called the "Gate Keepers", located at the main entrance of the Mojave Air and Space Port. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bakersfield CA 93301, United States

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of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Joaquin Valley,

specifically in the Central Valley,

and in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Convair CV-990 (here, next to this marker); SAAB TF-35XD Draken (here, next to this marker); Rotary Rocket Roton ATV (approx. 0.7 miles away); Voyager Aircraft / Scaled Composites SpaceShipOne Replica (approx. 0.7 miles away); Wen Painter (approx. 0.7 miles away); Albert C. Hansen (approx. 0.7 miles away); Lt Col Richard Glenn "Dick" Rutan USAF (ret) (approx. 0.7 miles away); Charles Thomas “Chuck” Coleman (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mojave.

Photographed by Denise Boose, August 10, 2018

2. F-4 Phantom II Marker

F-4 Phantom II image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, August 10, 2018

3. F-4 Phantom II

Photographed by Denise Boose, August 10, 2018

4. F-4 Phantom II

Photographed by Craig Baker, February 25, 2022

5. F-4 Phantom II

F-4 Phantom II Emblem image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, August 10, 2018

6. F-4 Phantom II Emblem

Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 515 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 10, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 5. submitted on March 28, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 6. submitted on August 10, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.