Really? I thought the F-4 was ugly. Loved it. But we called it a science experiment that with enough trust, even a brick could fly. Compared to it the F-18 is work of art. IMHO.
I always thought the F4 was a beauty. I used to work at Bergstrom AFB back in the 80’s, and watch them take off 4 at a time. What a sight and sound. To this day I have never heard anything louder than 4 Phantoms taking off 2 at a time.
The F-4 taxied out to line up on runway 27 and the crew ran through their checklist. They were patched in to the PA system so we could hear.
The pilot announced he had set his brakes and would run each engine up to full power...one at a time. "If I go to full power on both engines, we'll just skid down the runway."
He then lit burners, released brakes and accelerated until he rotated right in front of the crowd. The ground was shaking. He pulled vertical and was gone. All I could think was "Wow!"