File:F-4B VF-142 damaged Vietnam 1964-65.jpg

English: A U.S. Navy McDonnell F-4B-14-MC Phantom II (BuNo 150643) of fighter squadron VF-142 Ghostriders. VF-142 was assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation (CVA-64) from 5 May 1964 to 1 February 1965. CVW-14 flew the first strikes of the Vietman War. On a photo reconnaissance mission to the Thanh Hoa Bridge, the F-4B 150643 of the fighter cover (call sign “Dakota 207”, pilot Fred Ferrazzano) was hit by a 57 mm shell at an altitude of 150 m. This hit destroyed the nose cone, parts of it being ingested by both J-79 engines and (as was later found out) the main spar had been twisted with the shock of the hit. The pilot was able to recover aboard the USS Ranger (CVA-61). Due to the damage the plane was later broken up for spare parts at Subic Bay, Philippines. Note that the aircraft is carrying an AIM-9B Sidewinder missile.