May 27, 1958

The McDonnell F4H naval jet fighter makes its first flight.

July 3, 1959

McDonnell's F4H jet fighter for the Navy is named the Phantom II in a christening ceremony during the company's 20th anniversary celebration.

Oct. 12, 1961

The Navy's first F4H operational squadron, VF-74, is qualified for carrier duty.

Jan. 24, 1962

The success of the Phantom in Navy service leads the Air Force to borrow 29 F4Hs from the Navy for test and evaluation under the designation F-110A Spectre.

Sep. 18, 1962

With the changes in military designations, the F-110A becomes the F-4C and the Spectre name is discarded.

Nov. 20, 1963

The first Air Force Phantoms, F-4Cs, are delivered to a Tactical Air Command squadron.

July 7, 1965

McDonnell delivers its 1,000th F-4 Phantom, an F-4B for the Navy.

March 12, 1967

McDonnell delivers its 2,000th F-4 Phantom, an F-4D for the Air Force.

April 28, 1967

McDonnell and Douglas companies merge to form the new McDonnell Douglas Corporation, with headquarters in St. Louis. James S. McDonnell is chairman and chief executive officer, and David S. Lewis is president. Donald W. Douglas is named honorary chairman of the board and serves as "Founder-Consultant." Donald W. Douglas, Jr., is corporate vice president for administration.

May 24, 1967

James S. McDonnell receives the Collier Trophy for the development of the F-4 Phantom aircraft and Gemini space vehicles.

Sept. 5, 1968

A Navy F-4J is the 3,000th Phantom to be delivered by McDonnell Douglas.

Dec. 23, 1969

The U.S. Air Force selects McDonnell Douglas as prime contractor for development and production of the F-15 advanced tactical fighter.

Aug. 29, 1970

The DC-10, the first "jumbo jet" makes its first flight.

Feb. 1, 1971

The 4,000th Phantom, an F-4E for the Air Force, is delivered.

Apr. 30, 1971

Sandy McDonnell, nephew of James S. McDonnell, is named president of McDonnell Douglas Corporation.

Jul. 29, 1971

American and United airlines take delivery of the first two production DC-10 jetliners, and American puts its new widebody in regular service just eight days later.

Jul. 27, 1972

The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle air superiority jet fighter makes its first flight successfully and on schedule.

Nov. 14, 1974

Eagle enters operational service with the Air Force's Tactical Air Command.

Feb. 1, 1975

An F-15 Eagle completes its sweep of all eight world time-to-climb world records by streaking to an altitude of 98,425 feet in less than 3.5 minutes.

May 2, 1975

The Navy selects McDonnell Douglas as prime contractor for development of the F/A-18 strike fighter.

Jul. 27, 1976

The Defense Department approves the development of an advanced version of the AV-8A V/STOL aircraft. The objective of the new program is to approximately double the payload and range of the original Harrier.

Dec. 19, 1976

The Air Force selects a modified version of the DC-10 as winner of the Advanced Tanker/Cargo Aircraft competition.

May 24, 1978

Phantom Number 5,000, an F-4E (serial number 77-0290), is delivered.

Nov. 9, 1978

The first St. Louis built Harrier, a prototype AV-8B attack aircraft for the Marines, makes its first flight.

Nov. 18, 1978

The F/A-18 Hornet naval strike fighter makes its first flight.

Oct. 25, 1979

The Air Force takes delivery of the last U.S.-built F-4 Phantom II. It is the 5,057 Phantom to rollout from the McDonnell Douglas plant at St. Louis, Mo., since May 1958.

Jul. 12, 1980

The KC-10 Extender, advanced aerial tanker and cargo aircraft, makes its first flight.

Nov. 5, 1981

First full-scale development AV-8B Harrier II makes its first flight.

Jul. 28, 1982