Flown for just five years by the Blue Angels, from 1969 to 1974, the F-4J, with its ominous size and smoke billowing General Electric J79 engines, was the baddest machine the team ever flew. The Phantom was also flown by the USAF Thunderbirds during this same period of time.

By the mid 1970s, the Blues and the T-birds both switched to far more economic models, the T-38 Talon for and the A-4 Skyhawk, although these types' performance was downright anemic compared to the brute thrust of the big Phantom.

Check out some videos of the "Bent Wing Wonder" all dressed up in display team colors: