F4 Tape was the unofficial name given to the self-bonding rubber tape used by servicemen of the Navy, Air Force and Marine Corp.  Named after the legendary McDonnell F-4 Phantom II, the original F-4 Tape got its name due to its extensive use on the F-4 Phantom. 

The Phantom took its first flight May 27, 1958, and remained in production for more than two decades, topping more than 5,000 built.   Recently celebrating its 50th anniversary, the F-4 Phantom II remains the second most produced western fighter jet in history behind the F-86 Sabre.   The F-4 fighter-bomber served in three branches of the military with extensive service in the Vietnam war for air combat, ground attack and reconnaissance.