Warbird Information Exchange

After three days of being lugged across the country, a Vietnam-era F4 Phantom fighter jet has finally arrived at the Regional Military Museum in Houma.

The 63-foot-long airplane has been at the Chanute Air Museum in Rantoul, Ill. for many years.

And now, it will be on display in the parking lot across from the Regional Military Museum on Barrow Street.

"We're very, very happy to have it because it's in excellent shape," CJ Christ said.

The Regional Military Museum Board president and chairman has been preparing to receive the jet for the past couple months.

The six-function airplane was very successful during its time in Vietnam.

In fact, Christ said it is a Vietnam War hero.

"It was a good fighter. It carried a lot of rockets and machine guns for ground support and bombs to launch against the enemy," he said.

It was also an air superiority fighter--no airplane over Vietnam could challenge it.

One of the reasons the museum staff wanted to have the aircraft is because of its history in the Vietnam War.

"One of the things we want to emphasize is to give veterans of the Vietnam War as much recognition as possible," Christ said.

About six months ago, it was going to be declared surplus after it was announced that its home, the Chanute Air Museum, would shut down for good.

Christ said the Regional Military Museum expressed interest early on but didn't really have a shot at receiving it because government museums and air force bases had seniority.

But after those outlets decided not to take the aircraft, the Regional Museum stepped in to retrieve it
Terrebonne Parish, the museum and the U.S. Air Force have a triple agreement to make sure the plane is insured, maintained and secured. The parish will also renew the lease at least once a year, as the craft is owned by the U.S. Air Force museum system.

Two area men, Tommy Guidroz and Sam Degeneres, actually flew the jet in combat.

A ceremony could be in the works to dedicate the plane and honor the two gentleman, but Christ said the museum still needs to take care of some other business first like raise money for a canopy that will protect the plane from the rain and the sun.