F-4C Phantom II #63-7500 'Blue Max' Da Nang 1967

F-4C-18-MC s/n 63-7500, 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, Da Nang Air Base, 1967

“The Blue Max” was the personal mount of the 366th TFW’s Director of Operations, Colonel Frederick “Boots” Blesse. A Korean War Ace, Col. Blesse had a large role in the successful implementation and integration of the SUU-16/A gun pod for use on 366th Phantoms. At Col. Blesse’s direction, the Wing would adopt the name “The Gunfighters” and wear on the aircraft intakes the Gunfighters Badge featuring the “Phantom Spook” character carrying a gun pod. This aircraft would survive the war, only to be used as a range target in 1991.

Alternative : SCAT XXVII, s/n 64-0829, 433rd Satan's Angels flown by Col Robin Olds, Ubon 1966/67