Phantom Friday

[CoffmanStarter]

Last Friday on Twitter there was a #PhantomFriday thread which prompted a number of cracking F4 images to be posted. Quite a few US images but a good showing from the RN and RAF from various sources :ok:

Just thought that the PPRuNe F4 "connoisseurs" might like a heads up ...

https://twitter.com/search?src=typd&q=%23Phantomfriday

Here are a couple of examples ...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BmFwhXfIEAAbkMm.jpg:large

I particularly liked this 23 Squadron shot ... clearly taken way down south.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BJ7TMXTCYAEio-c.jpg:large

To those that posted these images ... a BIG thanks for sharing :D:D:D:D

[India Four Two]

CS,

Your second shot is a classic, but I love the first one, with the ground crew bowing to the two-winged master race. ;)

[AGS Man]

Absolute quality Coff, thanks for posting

[500N]

Is the second photo the following one in the sequence where the F4 is just above the wire and of course to the right and out front of the farm ?

Maybe someone who knows who did what can say.

[A A Gruntpuddock]

More here - http://oldafsarge.********.co.uk/

[Circuit Clear]

Pic 1 is Leuchars and I guess early 70`s before the Jubilee radome paintwork.

[Wrathmonk]

1976 (if you look at the 'uncropped (http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/55698-phantom-ii-f-4-gb/)' version [found via Google 'Search by Image' function] - if you scroll down the page that is linked it shows, I think, the jubilee radome paintwork mentioned above - although the '77' in 1974 is a bit confusing!)).

Curious why they all appear to have the same tail letter (R) - they have different nose numbers. Is/was this a FAA thing?

[India Four Two]

More here - http://oldafsarge.********.co.uk/

PPRuNe small-mindedness strikes again. :ugh:

Try here instead.

Chant du Départ (http://tinyurl.com/mgglr5n)

[johnfairr]

Wrathmonk,

The letter R indicates that they are from HMS Ark Royal. 892 NAS had a hard base at Leuchars when ashore.

[Dan Gerous]

The "R" was to denote the ship they embarked on, the Ark, the numbers were codes, similar to tail codes.

[54Phan]

Yes Wrathmonk, the "R" on the tail stands for "Ark Royal". Each aircraft carrier was/is/will be assigned a different letter for identification purposes. FAA bases have two letter tailcodes, i.e. "VL" Yeovilton.

[Gemini Twin]

I thought it was because they are a professional of Pirates, ARRRRRRRRR!

[serf]

And is still called the Ark Royal hangar.

[Minnie Burner]

After the 2014 Yeovilton Air Day, a pic similar to this appeared in the local rag (Western Gazette)

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3916/14564990659_ca938dbbc5_b.jpg
the caption read:
SUPER SONIC: A Royal Navy Phantom jet on standby ahead of taking to the air. The first Phantom was the Supersonic Aircraft Carrier Fighter Jet. It was used in military operations between 1968 and 1978.

So now we know.

Here's another nice photo though. Pity 892 never received the AIM-9L.
http://m2.i.pbase.com/o9/17/747717/1/156745062.N6vTxINX.20140726101823Yeovilton.jpg


And here's an oldie you MIGHT have missed earlier:

http://theaviationist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/F-4-Phantom-low-pass.jpg

[NutLoose]

Your second shot is a classic, but I love the first one, with the ground crew bowing to the two-winged master race. ;)

Far from it, they were probably closely examining to see if the pilot was female, it's very difficult to tell, because the the two winged race were not known for being well endowed.. ;)

[Busta]

I think it's on 7th November.


Nothing matters very much, most things don't matter at all.

[Duchess_Driver]

Can it be Phantom Phriday every week please?

[Roadster280]

And is still called the Ark Royal hangar.

Soon to be full of RBATs, no doubt.

[Davef68]

the caption read:
SUPER SONIC: A Royal Navy Phantom jet on standby ahead of taking to the air. The first Phantom was the Supersonic Aircraft Carrier Fighter Jet. It was used in military operations between 1968 and 1978.

So now we know.

Here's another nice photo though. Pity 892 never received the AIM-9L.
http://m2.i.pbase.com/o9/17/747717/1/156745062.N6vTxINX.20140726101823Yeovilton.jpg


Nor the ILS antennae on the fin or the ex-Cheftain sight for the Observer!

Presumably that's XV586 that used to be 43 Squadron's pet at Leuchars (Now performing a smiilar function at Yeovilton) - nice repaint!

[N2erk]

India 4 - you stole my line! Nice pics tho..:ok:

[Minnie Burner]

All credit to the team that prepared her for the air day.

[N2erk]

BTW, nice photos on Wrathmonk's link, but I think some of the RN 892 photos are dated incorrectly. 013 appears to have the RN 976-1976 flag- ( I believed this was taking the pi** out of the USN on the American bicentennial) AllanSheppardArt shows same pic dated '76.

[CoffmanStarter]

The F4 is still a fine looking aeroplane ... even by today's standards :ok:

[RAFEngO74to09]

Nor would it have had the RWR on top of the fin in those days. Nice preparation and pic though x 2.

[Rhino power]

Nor would it have had the RWR on top of the fin in those days

Yes it would, FAA FG.1's were fitted with fin top RWR towards the end of their service lives... :)
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/2/4/3/2146342.jpg






-RP

[John Eacott]

Nor would it have had the RWR on top of the fin in those days. Nice preparation and pic though x 2.

I took these in 1974 :p

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/1674-1/Phantom+waist+cat+launch+Ark+Royal+1974+06.jpg


http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/1676-1/Phantom+waist+cat+launch+Ark+Royal+1974+07.jpg


http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/1714-1/USN+F4_S+from+Independence+in+Ark+fly+1.jpg

[RAFEngO74to09]

I stand corrected - that surprised me as some of the RAFG FGR2 aircraft still didn't have them in 1978 !


This pic is from March 1977:

http://sg-etuo.de/media/xpb/grondstein/Phan_92_XV489_V_Grondstein.jpg


This pic is from July 1977 - Queen's Silver Jubilee:
http://www.92sqdn.brushhouse.co.uk/pics/XV499-2.jpg

[Rhino power]

some of the RAFG FGR2 aircraft still didn't have them in 1978 !

And even later than that... There's a photo in one of Ian Black's books, of XV430 of 19 Sqn, taken in early 1984 still lacking the RWR pod!

-RP

[CoffmanStarter]

Wonderful pics RAFEngO ...

I'm sure there are other PPRuNers with either logbook or other keepsake snaps of this magnificent beast they'd like to share :ok:

[Buster Hyman]

Feeling a bit left out here...one for the RAAF chaps!:ok:

Photos: McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net (http://www.airliners.net/photo/Australia---Air/McDonnell-Douglas-F-4E/0473667/L/)

Can't put a pic up from the iPad for some reason.

[herkman]

Dum move buy us to send them back to USA when the lease expired

Could have bought them for a song

Decision was probarly made by the cleaner at headquarters

Regards

Col

[CoffmanStarter]

The recent refurbishment of RAF Coningsby's Gate Guardian under 41 Squadron colours looks spectacular ... :ok:

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af162/CoffmanStarter/3e51e739-3684-4a25-b33d-5e26d1b40696_zps1520ed78.jpg

Image Credit : Twitter : RAF News Reporter

[54Phan]

Very nice job!

[Lyneham Lad]

Have very fond memories of the might Phantom (groundcrew Coningsby late '60s and Brüggen start of the '70s) but never took any photographs, cameras being strictly verboten on the flightline. However, mid 70's at Valley was more relaxed in that respect and below is one of a pair of F4K's, probably taken on departure day after an open day.

PS - great link, that to the #Phantomfriday!

http://www.kmercerphotography.co.uk/Film/ValleyPhantom_950.jpg

[CoffmanStarter]

That's a cracking pic of the mighty Fighting Cocks Lyneham Lad :ok:

[Lyneham Lad]

Thanks, Coff. As a confirmed FGR2 phanatic and recently (then) ex 14 Sqn, I had to overcome my prejudices in order to press the shutter button! ;)

And just to prove it, here is Lima, the sister ship crewing-up.

http://www.kmercerphotography.co.uk/Film/ValleyPhantom2_950.jpg

[CoffmanStarter]

Friday +24 :E

For those interested ... the latest issue (24) of GAM covers the continued use of the Phantom by USAF.

The legendary F-4 Phantom II still serves the United States Air Force today, even though it is no longer a frontline fighter. Erik Roelofs visited the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron detachment at Holloman Air Force Base to witness the Phantom in action, from the best seat in the house.

http://global-aviation-magazine.com/the-last-issue-of-gam-is-out-now/

Free to access and download :ok:

Bit of a shame that this is the last issue of GAM ... but the GAR Web Site will continue ... see editorial.

[Rhino power]

I hope when the QF-4 drone programme is finally finished, that the USAF keep a few of those beauties flying with the Heritage Flight...

-RP

[Courtney Mil]

Thanks, everyone, for the great pictures. I may have to go for a lie down now!

[CoffmanStarter]

Courtney ...

Before you do that old chap ... have a canter back through the Herc Thread (sorry can't recall the page number) as there are some stunning Phantom Herc AAR pics from down south :ok:

PS ... That's Pages 39/40 ;)

But don't read #1050

A single F4 was always easy, get down into the weedosphere and keep turning and you would win every time. Two F4s was more difficult. :eek:

[Courtney Mil]

Thanks, Coff. Beautiful pics through the letter box, some of the best yet, in fact. Happy days!

'Harry the Ace' and his buddies in their Hercs could provide a very challenging target especially with 9Gs. I recall guys looking out of every window telling where we were so the pilot could keep us on the beam. He was great at low level. Then we would hear, "if you can roll out behind my 3/9 line off the next run, I'll extend the hose." "Er, aren't you going to climb a bit?" "Clear to contact."

Too much fun.

[glad rag]

Something quite powerful about those images of sun bleached f4's....

[Dominator2]

I think that it is laudable that RAF Coningsby are keeping their Gate Guardian in a good state of repair. I was, however, curious to see XT 891 painted in 41 Squadron colours. Whilst I understand the connection with41 Sqn, the ac never served on the Sqn. Equally, the aircraft is in an Air Defence configuration. 41 Sqn, for it’s short and distinguished lifewith the F4 was a Recce Squadron. To my knowledge, I stand to be corrected, I never saw them fly it that configuration.

I believe that the ac should remain in it’s 228 OCU/64(R) Sqncolours. If it is imperative to keep the 41 Sqn colours, at least make the configuration representative.

The aircraft was delivered in July 1968 to the RAF, she was issued to 228 OCU the next month, but moved on to 54 Squadron when theyre-formed with Phantoms. She then passed back to 228 OCU and served with them until 1984 when her crew ejected from the aircraft when it veered off therunway onto the grass due to a nosewheel steering failure. After repair she was returned to the unit but subsequently suffered a fire. The aircraft wasrepaired once more, suffered another fire and finally returned to active service. On retirement she was earmarked for gate guard duties at Coningsby where she had spent most of her flying career. She was repainted in the old camo colours in 1999.

[27mm]

Well, RAFG Battle Flight config to be exact: C44+, IIRC. Loved every minute of my time on F4s, the dog's b××××××s at LLAD in the Central Region. ;)

[Dominator2]

Yes 27mm,

I agree that the ac is in RAFG Battle Flight Fit. It could of course also be in 64(R) Sqn war fit. My point is that 41 Sqn only operated the Phantom for 4 short years, and that was in the Recce Role. XT 981 spent the majority of it's life on 228/64 Sqn at Coningsby. Although the first few years on 228 OCU involved mud moving, the majority of the life of the unit was teaching Air Defence. It is only fitting that the ac returns to it's rightful 228/64 paint scheme and AD Fit. I'm sure that in time 41 Sqn can compliment the F3 Gate Guardian with a GR4 in a suitable paint scheme.

[maxburner]

I find myself agreeing with Dominator. Whilst it's very good to see 891 looking so well presrved, she really should be in 228 / 64 colours. As fine a squadron as 41 were, they never 'owned' 891 and the role fit is not appropriate to them.

I should add, my last F4 trip was in 891 - we had a FIRE light. I still remember the drill.

[Minnie Burner]

http://www.richard-cooke.com/portfolio-2/images/previews/preview20.jpg

[Minnie Burner]

Subic Bay: Vietnam veteran F-4 damaged beyond repair.
http://www.underwaterphotography.com/upload/up/Competition/41419.jpg

http://www.colours.dk/anders/diving/wrecks/f4/IMG_2432.JPG

http://www.colours.dk/anders/diving/wrecks/f4/IMG_2443.JPG

http://ih2.redbubble.net/image.24063253.9795/flat,550x550,075,f.jpg

http://drmike.smugmug.com/Wreck-diving/Subic-bay-Philippines-Jan-2006/i-TMzrtbn/0/L/subic2%20108-L.jpg

[CoffmanStarter]

I think that's more "corroded beyond repair" MB :ok:

[Wander00]

Go on, it will buff out...................

[CoffmanStarter]

In other news ... It's Phantom Friday :ok:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cd/F-4J%28UK%29_Phantom_of_74_Squadron_in_flight_1984.jpg/640px-F-4J%28UK%29_Phantom_of_74_Squadron_in_flight_1984.jpg

74 Squadron c. 1984

So let's be having your phinest Phantom photos ...

[Vzlet]

The third frame built is a little dusty, but destined for a brighter future. Currently at the USMC museum restoration facility in Quantico, VA.

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8099/8523360996_3a173dba3b_c.jpg

[lauriebe]

A phew phrom my collection. Taken at Coningsby on various dates.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4088/5080051869_a4400c0147_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/8JUArc)IMG_0002 (https://flic.kr/p/8JUArc) by Janner88 (https://www.flickr.com/people/54719662@N04/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1383/5139113968_1680221ab2_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/8Q8ixf)IMG_0002 (https://flic.kr/p/8Q8ixf) by Janner88 (https://www.flickr.com/people/54719662@N04/), on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4103/5070437705_9ef37f43bf_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/8J4jtK)IMG_0003A (https://flic.kr/p/8J4jtK) by Janner88 (https://www.flickr.com/people/54719662@N04/), on Flickr

[fantom]

Bruggen 1972.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b236/minlgw/xv431.jpg[/URL]

[Rhino power]

A few from 74 Sqn...
http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/wattisham/469phantomflight/06.jpg

http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/wattisham/469phantomflight/05.jpg

http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/wattisham/469phantomflight/07.jpg

(All copyright, Bob Archer)

-RP

[NutLoose]

Well the Phantom FGR2 XV499 from leeming that was offered for sale has been scrapped, they have just chopped it up at Hixton..:ugh:

UK PLC has just put the Javelin at Leeming up for sale, one hopes that does not go the same way

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sale-of-a-gloster-javelin-faw-4-aircraft

[CoffmanStarter]

Splendid start Gentlemen ... :D

Do we have any pics of the "Can Openers" and 43 perchance ... ;)

[CoffmanStarter]

Phriday the 13th ... Spooky ... So let's have a few more classic pics :ok:

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af162/CoffmanStarter/B7TAwTWCAAAirycjpg-large_zps50cb2b0a.jpg

Image Credit : Unable to assign with certainty : Probably MOD RAF

I make that eighteen ... 1969 228 OCU ... marvellous sight :ok:

[BEagle]

Rather nicer weather for this dashed handsome group of Firebirds:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a341/nw969/FirebirdsAug1982_zpsa4c1da9a.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/nw969/media/FirebirdsAug1982_zpsa4c1da9a.jpg.html)

And before some spotter asks, I've no idea why that pylon has a Coningsby marking!

APC RAF Akrotiri August 1982. Can it really have been over 30 years ago?

A typical 3-day trip for the RAF's premier tanker squadron in Oct 1988 when we trailed this pair from 19 Sqn to Red Flag via Goose:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a341/nw969/GhostTrailOct1988_zps4421b2d8.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/nw969/media/GhostTrailOct1988_zps4421b2d8.jpg.html)

Oct 4th, Brize-Goose; Oct 5th Goose-Lincoln (the F-4s went to Nellis); Oct 6th Lincoln-Brize. I see that my co-pilot on this trip was that genial Irish rogue Ray F Knowles, whose funeral many of us attended yesterday. We flew VC10K3 ZA150, which can currently be seen in the background at Dunsfold near the Top Gear test track.

A good month, Oct 1988: IRE trip on a sqn pilot the day before the trail, 3 AAR trips including night prodding the following week, a sim session, a dining-in night, ODT, an IntO day at Upavon, some secondary role training - and finally another week in the USA. 9 trips and 34 hours - those were the days on 101!

[CoffmanStarter]

Superb pics BEagle ... Many thanks :ok:

[RUCAWO]

Saved https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYiZIa-W0C0&feature=youtu.be

[claron]

Not sure this photo will work, but here go's. Firebirds APC 1980.

http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah188/nobbyw582/APC1002_zps757f7f55.jpg

[BEagle]

Here's a couple more, featuring the F-4J(UK)s of 74(F) Tiger Sqn:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a341/nw969/F-4JUK_zps569d5c30.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/nw969/media/F-4JUK_zps569d5c30.jpg.html)

One of 101's earliest tasks in the 1983/4 era was to trail the F-4J(UK)s back from California to the UK. At the time, the Mk32 pods weren't cleared for that rancid fuel available at USAF bases, so we went via places such as Dayton International! Not a bad little number - bog off to San Diego wait for the jets to be ready, then bring them home. Plenty of time off too!

A typical Tiger Trail:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a341/nw969/TigerTrail_zpse4ef050a.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/nw969/media/TigerTrail_zpse4ef050a.jpg.html)

2 x VC10K2 trailing 3 x F-4J(UK)s somewhere near Greenland. The photo was taken by one of the 74 Sqn mates from the third F-4, but I'm not sure who it was.

The Victor crews were very envious of such fun!

[CoffmanStarter]

Your final pic BEagle is a cracker ... Everyone comfortably in formation ... All very 'Business Like' ... Mess with us at your peril :ok:

[CoffmanStarter]

Claron ...

Just helping out with your pic of the Firebirds on APC 1980 :ok:

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af162/CoffmanStarter/f9eeaee0-5e0d-4e33-a975-b2c58d5902c0_zps78df7013.png

Best ...

Coff.

[BEagle]

Not F-4s, this time, sorry.

There's always an element of luck when taking air-to-air photos, and I had 2 basic rules: 1. Never try to fly and take photos at the same time; 2. Never ask crews to pose for the camera.

So this early morning shot over the Alps during the last Lightning APC trail was part luck, part judgement. One of these days I must get round to having a decent scan made of the orginal Ektachrome:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a341/nw969/FlashTrail_zpsf63b0982.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/nw969/media/FlashTrail_zpsf63b0982.jpg.html)

The late 'Lord Percy' was at the helm of the VC10K.

[CoffmanStarter]

BEagle ... Maybe it's about time we had a VC-10 'Historic' Thread like we've done for the Herc ? I'm certain there would be considerable interest ... what do you think ;)

[claron]

CoffmanStarter

Much appreciated. My first attempt at posting a picture. I will try harder next time, and get the hang of it. 35 years ago. where has the time gone?:ok:

[Lyneham Lad]

APC RAF Akrotiri August 1982. Can it really have been over 30 years ago?

That brings to mind the first Phantom MPC at Akrotiri in autumn '69(?). I was on 2nd Line Servicing at Coningsby and seconded to 6 Sqn for the three weeks or so. My one and only time on Cyprus and thanks to the shift system (midday to midday then 24hrs off) there was enough time to explore the island in hire cars, including Kyrenia (via a UN convoy system). Lots of swimming interspersed the wine drinking and kebab eating. I even survived the local wine-fest - not that I remember too much of it :0

Outbound on a Britannia, return in the para seats of Albert - now there's comfort. The Herc was stuffed with Houchins and other ground equip so leg-room was pretty non-existent. The upside of that was that there were plenty of hiding places for booze & fags, which was a good thing as Customs went through our holdalls etc with a fine tooth-comb.

Oh yes - plenty of sorties launched, lots of hard graft on the line making sure there enough frames for the next day, etc etc. One of the better detachments...

[CharlieJuliet]

Yes indeed Lyneham Lad - 6 Squadron APC in Cyprus 22 Sep till 13 Oct 69. Lots of sorties on Larnaca which was an air-to-ground range in those days.

[CharlieJuliet]

How do I get photos onto this site? Thanks

[Jerrynav]

Bald eagle I took the photos and it was a great trail back from the US thanks

[CoffmanStarter]

CJ ... Check PM's :ok:

[sandozer]

"How do I get photos onto this site? Thanks"

I have similar problem, can post urls, but cannot post attachments ? :rolleyes:

[BEagle]

Hi Jerrynav! Great to hear from you! I wasn't sure whether it was you or SkidM who took the photo.

That's you hiding in the intake in the 1982 APC piccy, isn't it?

[Jerrynav]

Affirmative, Baldeagle

[BEagle]

Thought so, mate!

That OP TIGER TRAIL 3/84 was somewhat protracted! From what I've been able to recall, I flew out on 24 Oct 84 in the back of one VC10K as another crew was flying it. We also had some Victor and Group klingons with us, though heaven knows why.

We landed at Wright-Patt, then the next day we flew the jet down to NAS Miramar. 26th free - we went to SeaWorld. 27th free - we went to Laguna Beach, Universal Studios and Hollywood. 28th free - after brunch we went to Pacific Beach.

Monday 29th we set off for Wright Patt (the other crew was flying), only to blow an engine and return to Miramar. A minimum crew stayed with the jet, whilst the rest of us had to slum it in a C-130 from North Island to Wright Patt the following day (30th) - which seemed to take ****ing hours!

31st was another day off over at Dayton; 1st Nov was a weather scrub, but we finally trailed the F-4s up to Goose on the 2nd - which was also my IRT!

I can't recall whether it was just a straight transit back on Sat 3rd, or whether it was a trail; however, we flew ZA141 'B' which wasn't one of the VC10Ks in your photo. We had some severe turbulence in the climb which overstressed the aircraft and a lot of boxes had to be re-racked before we coasted out....

And when we landed back at Brize after our 11 days away, I found that someone had kindly joe'd me for SDO the following day...:mad:

[CoffmanStarter]

Sandozer ... Check PM's :ok:

[Wander00]

Post 63, photo 2 - why is the hook down? Just curious

[jonw66]

Wander
I suspect it is a mark on the original pic as it is not in the correct position for the hook.
Cheers
Jon

[Trumpet_trousers]

Wander00:
I thought that too, but if you look again, it's an optical illusion, it's actually the leading edge of the RH tailplane :ok:
The hook attachment point is much nearer to the jetpipes too

[Wander00]

TT - cor blimey, so it is. Thanks. Won't worry me during the Rugby now.

[Lyneham Lad]

This extremely scabby photo came originally (IIRC) from a 1971 edition of Brüggen's Station magazine. Not sure why now but for some reason I cut it out and stuck on card - somehow it has survived all the intervening house moves and surfaced recently.

There may well be someone on the forum who has flown this particular beastie.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f84/Lyneham_Lad/Aircraft/14SqnPhantom_001Crop_1024_zpsut3v9gug.jpg

[CharlieJuliet]

Here's a couple of 14 Sqn jets in the early days flying for a publicity pic.http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu295/CharlieJuliet44/18.jpg?1424034744127&1424034744468

[CoffmanStarter]

Great pic Lyneham Lad ... That's a bit 'spooky' as XV439 in your pic is showing 14 Sqn markings as with XV463 and XV411 below ... so maybe CJ has flown her ;)

Well played CharlieJuliet ... You're now 'Checked Out' on PPRuNe pic posting :D

That is quite a memorable/iconic image you have there (Hohenzollern Castle I believe) from the early RAF Phantom days ... I'm very much looking forward to more from your collection ... As will a few other members I'm sure.

Best ...

Coff.

[sandozer]

Thanks to Coff :ok: , can now submit pictures of the RAF`s premier and first FG1 squadron aircraft. :D
From the late `70s at an open day. (no exif ? Nikon f-301, 35mm+ 70-300 Tamron)

http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad38/sandozer/A-XV571%20rs.jpg

[CoffmanStarter]

Well played Sandozer ... You're now 'Checked Out' on PPRuNe pic posting :ok:

I'm sure it won't be too long before a few Gentlemen from 43 will be along :cool:

[Rhino power]

Nice pic of XV571, sandozer, BUT... it ain't from the late 70s, XV571 had that scheme around 1987, and the Barley Grey camo didn't start appearing on FG.1s until the early 80s... :ok:

-RP

[Wander00]

Whoever invented the description "barley grey" must have seen the pearl barley in our school dinners

[MPN11]

Another of my cr@p snaps, of the Famous 23rd, down south in 83. Please stay inside the white lines!

http://i319.photobucket.com/albums/mm468/atco5473/PPRuNe%20ATC/Scan.jpeg (http://s319.photobucket.com/user/atco5473/media/PPRuNe%20ATC/Scan.jpeg.html)

I must try to find the pictures I took of the end of the AM2 matting, with hook dinks within a few inches of the end of the runway. Not the end, actually ... the last couple of sloping planks after the end. Viewing those became part of the arrival routine walkabout, along with the reminder to fly the PAPIs and not try to duck under on final ... there were 5 arrester cables to choose from, with at least 2 rigged ;)

[sandozer]

Sorry about that, would say it has to be 1987 ? Like a headless chicken (joke . . .) with no exif .

[grobbling about]

571 was painted in this scheme for the Sqn's 70th in 1986. Painfully etched on my memory, I was the project officer for the paint job. You can see where the chequered spine was repainted on the Monday after the 70th. Some sort of communication cock up, I was sure the AOC approved the full scheme....

[Lyneham Lad]

That's a bit 'spooky' as XV439 in your pic is showing 14 Sqn markings...

That maybe why I kept the photo - we were both on 14 Sqn...
Badge just unearthed from my "no, you can't throw anything way, dearest" box! ;)
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f84/Lyneham_Lad/Miscellaneous/14SqnBadge_900_zpsdwikfime.jpg

[Innominate]

"Whoever invented the description "barley grey" must have seen the pearl barley in our school dinners"

It was named after Phil Barley, a scientist in the Defensive Weapons Department at Farnborough who worked on camouflage (and, I think, the "anti-camouflage" black colour scheme for trainer aircraft). I don't know whether his wife's name was Pearl...

[27mm]

Nice pics CJ, but they're very naughty boys dumping fuel like that round the castle!

[Coltishall. loved it]

I have that second picture hanging in my front room. Was on said trail and sitting 4th window from the front on 140 "A". A month in the states and really enjoyed DM Tucson and Mirimar....before topgun was even made. How times have changed. As a young rigger, part of the AF was emptying the ashtrays! Best days of my life. Seem to remember f-4 jock and our 10 man having a barney in the bar about him getting too close. He had a point, I was down the back and thought the same. Great pics, will see if I can find them.
Remember I had a 50mm lens and couldn't get the whole toom in!!

[CharlieJuliet]

Yep - 1st flight in 439 in Aug '70. Spookily - looking at my log book - I flew 2 sorties with the photographer in Aug 70, and one of them was in 439 - possibly this pic was taken on that flight! 27 mm - I'm sure that we were high enough for the mist not to hit the ground - anyway RAFG pics.

[Coltishall. loved it]

apols: above talking about post 63

[MPN11]

It was named after Phil Barley, a scientist in the Defensive Weapons Department at Farnborough who worked on camouflage (and, I think, the "anti-camouflage" black colour scheme for trainer aircraft).
Had the great pleasure of meeting with Mr Barley in my office at MoD, on the subject of aircraft camouflage.

The thrust of the discussion was not Camouflage, or Concealment, but Deception ... as now manifested in the [patented?] CF-18 underside cockpit painting.

With BVR mx, there's no game to play, but in a fur-ball at high speed, any colour/pattern distraction or confusion could be beneficial. Sadly, we never got beyond that first meeting, as my Department was closed down with the collapse of the Berlin Wall and any intense interest in CCD and Survivability. I wonder is anyone does that these days?

[Wander00]

Well, you learn something ("Barley" grey") every day., Thanks

[BEagle]

When our 'hemp' VC10Ks were repainted in grey, it was referred to not as 'Barley' grey, but as 'John Major' grey - he was PM at the time.

The first grey jet came back with a pansy wedgwood 'blue vein' cheat line and white lettering - very camp. Fortunately that was short lived and the cheat line and lettering were soon repainted in contrasting grey.

[sandozer]

"G" XV 587, Gloria Finis, RAF Leuchars `87

http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad38/sandozer/G-XV587%20rs.jpg

[54Phan]

Nice photograph!

[CharlieJuliet]

http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu295/CharlieJuliet44/202.jpgAn early colour scheme with white Sargeant Fletchers (?) and no Sqn markings. I think that this was 6 Sqn in Cyprus in Sep 69. The aircraft at that time belonged to Eng Wing and we were allocated them to fly when available. As there were (I think 3 by then) several users the Sqn markings were not displayed - much to the chagrin of the Sqns. This system only lasted a short time as we didn't even have dedicated ground crew. By '70 I think the aircraft had reverted to the Sqns as had the ground crew. A try at centralised servicing that was doomed to failure as we were expected to be off base for several months each year.

[haltonapp]

Bit late I know Beagle, I'm not that avid a follower of pprune, but I have your photo of the frightenings over the Alps still hanging on the wall! Happy days!!

[CoffmanStarter]

That's another fine early pic from you CJ :ok:

I believe XV436 went on to serve with 29, 31, 64 and 111 Squadrons. Sadly she was lost in March 1980 (thankfully the crew survived) when atempting a flapless night landing after hydraulic failure but missed the arresting cable and crashed off end of the runway at Coningsby :(

Welcome Bevo :ok:

[CoffmanStarter]

Sorry ... I was otherwise distracted yesterday ... +24 Hrs post then :)

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af162/CoffmanStarter/XV439A_Westersoetebier_zps41562485.jpg

Image Credit : Erich Westersötebier : RAF Guetersloh Spotters (http://guetersloh-spotters.de/Visiting-Aircraft/RAF-No19-Sqn)

Someone must know the background story here (circa Dec 1976) ... it's either a €ock-up by the Painters & Finishers or 43 really stitched up 19 ;)

[sandozer]

Looks like 43 stitched up 19 :ok:! It`s an FGR 2.

[CharlieJuliet]

XV 439 outside 14 Squadron's hangar in 70 with a few bits to fit on!http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu295/CharlieJuliet44/2014-02-13_7.jpg

[sandozer]

One of 43s two stickers, XT875 "K"

http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad38/sandozer/5b15bdc8-d55c-4938-96f9-1f2903dcff27.jpg

[Vzlet]

A recently painted artifact of the Maryland Aviation Museum at twilight:
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5596/15041691779_55c5a896f7_c.jpg

[CoffmanStarter]

Well played Sandozer, Vzlet :ok:

The Phantom enters service with the RAF. XT893 (FGR2) Aldergrove ... Phantom Friday !

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af162/CoffmanStarter/B6WD9Z5IAAAAfP7.jpg-large_zpsrtw3v2jt.jpg

Image Credit : Crown, MOD RAF, IWM

[effects]

A couple from an exchange with 350 Sqn at Beauvechain, Oct '86.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4043/4399735352_481c038619_o.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4034/4399735874_74ebc7fe17_o.jpg

[CoffmanStarter]

Cracking pics Effects ... Welcome to Phantom Friday !

[CharlieJuliet]

Duskers - taken, I think,http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu295/CharlieJuliet44/19.jpg in Cyprus in 69.

[CharlieJuliet]

More fun on APChttp://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu295/CharlieJuliet44/Phantom2.jpg

[CoffmanStarter]

More cracking pics CJ ... Many thanks for sharing :ok:

[KenV]

REF POST #113.

All the Phantoms I'm familiar with had the refuel probe on the starboard side. Did the UK have them moved to the port side? If so, why? Or is that something else on the port intake cowl?

[54Phan]

Ken V, those two Phantoms are ex U.S. Navy aircraft, F-4Js brought up to "almost" F-4S standards. The fairings in the intake covered ECM gear during their service with the U.S.

[CoffmanStarter]

KenV ...

Starboard side ... same here ?

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp98/Fryboy47/img552_zps09a8ed7c.jpg

[TEEEJ]

KenV,

See following F-4J image link. The probe is still on the starboard side. Fairing on the port side.

Photos: McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net (http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Navy/McDonnell-Douglas-F-4J/0731145/L/)

[CharlieJuliet]

Here is what was causing the smoke in #116 although this is a Bruggen one whereas the one firing was from Coningsby.http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu295/CharlieJuliet44/2014-02-13_8.jpg

[effects]

The F-4J had an ECM fairing on both intakes.

[sandozer]

A slightly blurry F-4K, 43 Squadron XV581 "E"

http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad38/sandozer/XV581rs.jpg

[Shackman]

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8590/16544815818_156327755b_c.jpg

Here's something a bit older - TAC Weapons Meet, Wildenrath 1967. However, I do wish I still had the photo of the F4 nicely illuminated in our Shack gunsight complete with both Hispanos also pointing at it (both aircraft in about 60 degree bank)!

[AR1]

Mount Kent - I took this September 86 ish.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee114/AR_1_b/Phantom.jpg (http://s235.photobucket.com/user/AR_1_b/media/Phantom.jpg.html)

[Rhino power]

Having been a devoted Phantom Phan since my uncle first took me to see them at Coningsby in the early 70's, I figured I'd throw in my tuppence ha'penny...

A F-4D of the 178th FIS/119th FIG, ND ANG, over Crater Lake...
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/00/F-4D_North_Dakota_ANG_over_Crater_Lake_1989.JPEG/1280px-F-4D_North_Dakota_ANG_over_Crater_Lake_1989.JPEG
A FG.1 of 892 NAS about to launch from Ark Royal...
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1e/Phantom_FG.1_of_892_NAS_launching_from_HMS_Ark_Royal_%28R09% 29_1972.jpg/1280px-Phantom_FG.1_of_892_NAS_launching_from_HMS_Ark_Royal_%28R09% 29_1972.jpg

-RP

[CharlieJuliet]

Sorry about the quality, but the photo is very faded. Remember rushing around like this and firing sneb mini ripples on Cowden for CTTO.http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu295/CharlieJuliet44/6Sqn%20F4.jpg

[HaveQuick2]

Effects wrote:


ECM fairing

The F-4J had an ECM fairing on both intakes.




Not all did......


http://www.beardsofeye.co.uk/f4j.jpg

[CoffmanStarter]

Another well known PR pic there of the 'Canopeners' CJ :ok:

Where you flying the photo ship ?

[Vzlet]

From an airshow at Pt Mugu in 1978:
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/4/4/8/0523844.jpg

[johnfairr]

My brother was flying that 6 Sqn FGR2.

Quite a few people know that . . . . . . :)

[Flap62]

Double missile firing! Very much doubt it was an air show!

[Vzlet]

An air show indeed, and one that also included an A-7 Mk 82 drop, and F-14 strafing passes. Multiple attempts to launch an AIM-9 at a flare target were foiled by boat traffic intruding into the range safety area.

[sandozer]

From 1987 RAF Leuchars open day.

http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad38/sandozer/228%20-64sqdn%20XV398%20s.jpg

[Vzlet]

Visiting Aviano from Ramstein, May 1984. I've always preferred the proportions of the longer-nosed models.
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/middle/3/1/1/0729113.jpg

[FleurDeLys]

Re post 135, must just have been towed into that position. The 'puddles' aren't big enough for a longer stay! I remember walking along a line of Leuchars F4s bolt-holed to Kinloss in the 80s: some of the leaks produced puddles the size of Findhorn Bay!

[Argonautical]

A Treble One duo roaring off to impress the locals, taken at an IAT in the 80s.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/argonautical/111sqdF-4.jpg (http://s24.photobucket.com/user/argonautical/media/111sqdF-4.jpg.html)

[CoffmanStarter]

Well done the Phantom Friday Crew ... It's the 'Spooky' Friday 13th again :eek:

Seems we've had a few 43 pics ... so I'll stick with the trend :ok:

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af162/CoffmanStarter/IMG_0895_zpshhcj95cm.jpg

Image Credit : Crown, MOD, RAF

[P6 Driver]

Image removed

[Blanket Stacker]

RAF Leuchars' Air Show 6 Sep 85:

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8600/16560695117_abf3e945e5_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/repTGa)

[Saintsman]

RAF Leuchars' Air Show 6 Sep 85:

Photo by J Henderson.

Not the Jim Henderson from the pub down the road? ;)

[Blanket Stacker]

'Fraid not!

[Argonautical]

Not one Phantom but sixteen! Practice for the Queen's birthday over Peterborough.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/argonautical/birthday_flypast_zpsnuhpe71l.jpg (http://s24.photobucket.com/user/argonautical/media/birthday_flypast_zpsnuhpe71l.jpg.html)

[RedhillPhil]

RAF Leuchars' Air Show 6 Sep 85:

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8600/16560695117_abf3e945e5_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/repTGa)


Please Sir, what does the red disc on the nosewheel door signify?

[glad rag]

It's a special marking that was intended to confuse the intercepted BEAR crews that the 'toom was in fact carrying a special ronny raygun death weapon.

Of sorts.

;)

[P6 Driver]

Image removed

[CoffmanStarter]

Good evening Phantom Phans ...

A nice pic of XV470 of 56 Squadron :ok:

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af162/CoffmanStarter/B7f6kcHCEAAUdXi_zpsxzls3vep.jpg

Image Credit : P Bradshaw

[NutLoose]

Here's a better one :p

I was saving it for a cap comp entry, but what the heck

http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/aircraft_by_type/F_4K_Phantoms/XV588(004).jpg

Link And credit.

http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/aircraft_by_type/F_4K_Phantoms/XV588(004).jpg



Redhillphil, not having worked on the things, one wonders if it was as a dummy helmet and cockpit to confuse in combat.


.

[grobbling about]

TACAN antenna

[Vzlet]

Alert aircraft recovering at Ramstein, 1981.

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8694/16850284016_52572e49f3_c.jpg

[RedhillPhil]

TACAN antenna
.
.
.
.


Thankyou.

[glad rag]

Good evening Phantom Phans ...

A nice pic of XV470 of 56 Squadron :ok:

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af162/CoffmanStarter/B7f6kcHCEAAUdXi_zpsxzls3vep.jpg

Image Credit : P Bradshaw

you'll never get that lot off in a hurry, EH Mr Pastry..

[Argonautical]

How "Selfies" were taken in 1985 at Finningley.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/argonautical/f-4-finningley_85_zpsc89usf7c.jpg (http://s24.photobucket.com/user/argonautical/media/f-4-finningley_85_zpsc89usf7c.jpg.html)

[CoffmanStarter]

Mind the fence :eek:

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af162/CoffmanStarter/B_cPGfLWEAA5t-I_zpsak2mppi4.jpg

Image Credit : Lieuwe Hofstra

[bike2lv]

Good thing the hook's not down!

[Rhino power]

Original pic, and explanation, of Coff's er, pic...

Photos: McDonnell Douglas F-4M Phantom FGR2 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net (http://www.airliners.net/photo/UK---Air/McDonnell-Douglas-F-4M/0918446/L/&sid=a03d8f4d0d5203934efefceffb200391)

-RP

[Video Mixdown]

Before they joined the RAF and Harriers joined the Navy. 5 x FG1's, along with 6 x Buccaneers and a Wessex recce'd on Ark Royal's deck by 1(F) in 1972.

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8661/16239998884_db6a131487_b.jpg

[sandozer]

Mais Non! ! Gloria Finis were in service, in 1969, Hank Martin CO, (the Best) with the said naval F-4K, I did my nav inst conversion course with the RN, tot inclusive of course, at Yeovilton in the same year.

[P6 Driver]

Image removed

[RAFEngO74to09]

http://www.thephantomshrine.co.uk/Variants/photos/ATI90028.jpg


Found at thephantomshrine.co.uk

[RAFEngO74to09]

Now that's what I call a display team aircraft !


http://www.vg-photo.com/airshow/2013/4-18-2013/display/EVG_9163.jpg


https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/3a/ed/34/3aed346b2b91ac4c7a736985ab9971aa.jpg

[RAFEngO74to09]

http://aerobaticteams.net/images/blue-angels/blue-angels-f-4-129.jpg

[con-pilot]

I do believe that he wins the lowest ever low level pass...



And lived to tell about it. :p

[West Coast]

That has a photoshop feel to it

[BBadanov]

It could be this accident:
30 August 1970 – Lt. Ernie Christensen belly-landed his F-4J Phantom at the Eastern Iowa Airport (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Iowa_Airport) in Cedar Rapids (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cedar_Rapids) with one engine stuck in afterburner. He ejected safely, while the aircraft ran off the runway.

[RAFEngO74to09]

BBadanov,

Correct on the F-4J Blue Angels accident - noted in the photo caption at the aerobaticteams.net website.

[CoffmanStarter]

RAFEngO ... You're post #161 outstanding :D

[P6 Driver]

Am I the only one who's posting photos that I've actually taken?

There must be a shed load out there in private collections! Lets see some.

[Prangster]

Lovely shockwaves which reminds me. Place RR Hucknall. A/C Spare F4 left lying around by the RN Date just before the company went bust. (RR not the RN). Boss man. 'Take e this fine noise meter, set it up in the middle of the runway then rfl back to the tower' Arrives at tower just as the spare F4 howls down the runway and pulls the noisiest vertical I've ever heard. Noise research dept then submitted the readings to Nottingham City Council as average readings of peak jet noise. The blighters were planning to build what else but a housing development just off the western edge of the runway. Guess what? They just won the battle all these years on. Hucknall closed for flying this very month so that the long planned housing can now be built. Proud to have played a very small part in the holding battle. The pilot I think was Dennis Witham

[ex-fast-jets]

Never phlew the Phantom - but spent a few happy years visiting the very impressive McD Douglas facility in St Louis at the end of its production line. I was invited to visit the last phew phantoms being built - one Greek, one Turkish! They said that every morning when they returned to the production line, they found that the two phantoms had started to point inwards towards each other and they had to straighten them out!! Win/win for McD D!!

Great aircraft with some amazing capabilities.

Please keep this thread going for many phantom phridays to come!!

Great piccies!!

[midsomerjambo]

Anyone care to guess where, what and why?

img007_zpszyxahokh.jpg Photo by Gerry_Frew | Photobucket (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/Gerry_Frew/media/img007_zpszyxahokh.jpg.html)

[RAFEngO74to09]

The aircraft are:

F-106A of 102 FIW Massachusetts ANG between Jun 72 and Jan 88.
RF-4E of AG51 Luftwaffe.
Tornado GR1 of TWCU (1981 onwards).

The F-106 rarely visited Europe and none of the dates I can find match up.

The 102 FIW did deploy to Goose Bay for Ex FERTILE BRAVE in 1981 but this was before the first Tornado Det there in 1983. I was wondering if the TWCU Tornado was staging through for trials in the USA but I cannot imagine why they would have an old RAF Douglas tractor with them given the paucity of Hercules airlift allocations for minor dets in those days.

The USAF style security notice is not aligned with a permanent Restricted Area red line so it is probably an exercise / airshow somewhere with the aircraft parked in areas not used on a regular basis. I did consider IATs at Greenham Common - perhaps someone on the F-106A unit managed to secure a transatlantic trip as 102 FIW was starting to get into the deployed ops game in preparation for receiving the F-15A.

[Valiantone]

Three TWCU Tornados went to the USA in 83 at about the same time the Reds did the USA trip over the pond.


I remember seeing a shot on Air Pictorial of the 3 Tornados with the Reds, possibly in the USA.


V1

[RAFEngO74to09]

The Red Arrows and 3 x TWCU Tornado GR1 visited the USA in May 83 and gave a number of display. The TWCU aircraft also flew low-level missions from Andrews AFB and Goose Bay, and appeared at the Andrews AFB Open House that year.

[RAFEngO74to09]

QF-4E of 82 ATRS Det 1 - photo taken by me at my "local" air show at Nellis AFB Nov 2011 - still looking good !

http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s553/RAFEngO74to09/Nellis%20AFB/F-4E%20-%2012_zps6ogyeybo.jpg


http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s553/RAFEngO74to09/Nellis%20AFB/F-4E%20-%206_zpskqetux7f.jpg

[Flap Track 6]

A teenage Flap Track 6 being checked out in RF-4C 72-0146 at Alconbury in the early eighties.
They wouldn't let me take it for a spin, though, and unfortunately this was the closest I ever got to actually flying the mighty Toom.

http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah199/gavinbull67/Phantom2j_zpserzxtp1m.jpg

[P6 Driver]

Image removed

[sandozer]

http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad38/sandozer/F4-D%20_Phantom%20II%20%20s.jpg

[Minnie Burner]

Looks just like a QF-4E

Just 'cos it's Friday:
http://www.globalaviationresource.com/v2/wp-content/uploads/BlackBunny_1.jpg

[Argonautical]

F-4E - 74-1049 SP r/wh / 480 TFS,52 TFW - Spangdahlem AB, Germany - Alconbury 1986

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/argonautical/f-4g_alconbury86_zpsjrj32bfs.jpg (http://s24.photobucket.com/user/argonautical/media/f-4g_alconbury86_zpsjrj32bfs.jpg.html)

[midsomerjambo]

The Red Arrows and 3 x TWCU Tornado GR1 visited the USA in May 83 and gave a number of display. The TWCU aircraft also flew low-level missions from Andrews AFB and Goose Bay, and appeared at the Andrews AFB Open House that year.Correct RAFEngO74to09 (http://www.pprune.org/members/337081-rafengo74to09)

I was a FGCS/CODA tech on TWCU at the time and couldn't believe my luck landing this det. We went out and back on an Albert full of GSE so not much legroom. We staged through Gander outbound and Goose on the way back. At Goose we were treated to the sight of the space shuttle departing piggybacked atop its 747 (think I have a pic of that somewhere). There was no accommodation on base at Andrews so we had to slum it at the Camp Springs Holiday Inn :cool: The aircraft just happened to be lined up together on the ramp that day so thinking you don't see those together that often, snapped them with my Instamatic.

[Rhino power]

sandozer, QF-4E, not F-4D.
Argonautical, F-4E, not F-4G.

-RP:)

[sandozer]

Spot on Rhino. the ATRS on the fin Doh. . . :ugh:

[bike2lv]

On Argonautical's F4E, anyone know what the red circular cover on the port wing is for/protects?

[RedhillPhil]

On Argonautical's F4E, anyone know what the red circular cover on the port wing is for/protects?


Whatever it is, post #180 clearly shows it.

[wiggy]

anyone know what the red circular cover on the port wing is for/protects?

Looks to be in the right place for TISEO, only saw it "in the metal" a handful of times.

[cornish-stormrider]

Dunno about anything else but post 181 is clearly pRon of the highest filth.....
Such filth, where could I get a really good copy please?

[lederhosen]

I remember reading a first hand report by the pilot of the very impressive picture in post 163. He went on to command an aircraft carrier in the first gulf war and retired as an admiral. As I remember from his very honest report he was flying the display single pilot and in the heat of the moment forgot to put the gear down. Use of afterburner failed to resolve the situation.

[bike2lv]

Thanks redhill and wiggy:ok: I thought maybe tiseo, but I've never seen one and thought it would be pod mounted, also thought it was an F14 toy. :)

[Liffy 1M]

Wattisham, September 1991

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3418/3316447270_5ecb26dc96_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/644Eem)

[Liffy 1M]

Retro F-4F at Wittmund, June 2013:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7310/10543302853_19fec0234a_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/h4FbBF)

[Houlador]

Hello everyone. I wanted to say how much I enjoy reading all the stories you have shared especially the Phantom. I found the Vulcan thread a jewel as well. Can somebody explain the reason for the "open doors" on the tunnel back towards the rear of the engines? Thanks in advance, Troy

[RAFEngO74to09]

http://www.angelfire.com/dc/jinxx1/Phantoms/F4ETISEO2.jpg

[P6 Driver]

I have a loosely related version of that, but I just call it my "camera".

[RAFEngO74to09]

P6 Driver,

I realize you jest, but TISEO was a bit more than a "camera".

In Vietnam, the ROE required a visident of a MiG before engaging BVR with Sparrow. Most engagements began head-on and Sparrow could be fired at a maximum of 10 miles and a minimum of 3 miles. However, head-on, the MiGs were much smaller and harder to see even with a radar lock achieved. With closure rates approaching a mile every 3 seconds, by the time the Phantom crew had a positive visident on the MiG, it was already too late to fire a Sparrow. TISEO had a 4x and 10x magnification and displayed the image on the WSO's radar display. When the WSO had a radar lock, he could command the TISEO to track the target and then switch to 10x magnification for a visident while the MiG was still in the firing envelope of the Sparrow missile.

[RAFEngO74to09]

QF-4E display at Luke AFB, AZ in 2011 - video by You Tube user spencerhughes2255: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXtVCNZ6MVw

[sandozer]

Reasonably comprehensive explanation here . . . The UK variant was fitted with Rolls Royce Spey two shaft turbofans and required the additional two doors aft.

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=TDjlAwAAQBAJ&pg=SA1-PA5&lpg=SA1-PA5&dq=phantom+aux+air+door&source=bl&ots=OE2NlUOZiH&sig=RwSWFBDak0C7UQkA6OiaInrIxWQ&hl=en&sa=X&ei=5REkVdlD1fVqlKeAiAY&ved=0CDUQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=phantom%20aux%20air%20door&f=false

[Buc Driver]

First of all apologies for the intrusion from a non military poster.
The Ulster Aviation Society is currently dismantling FG1 xt864 at Leuchars, would anyone have manuals or copies of manuals or first hand knowledge that would assist us with separating the fuselage/wing. We are unsure if we are removing more than required, therefore slowing down the job.

[RAFEngO74to09]

Buc Driver,

You could try contacting these guys via their "Forum" - some might even live near you if you check "Members": Home of The Phantomeers (http://www.phantomreunion.talktalk.net/members.html)

[P6 Driver]

RAFEngO74to09 wrote;

TISEO


P6 Driver,

I realize you jest, but TISEO was a bit more than a "camera".

In Vietnam, the ROE required a visident of a MiG before engaging BVR with Sparrow. Most engagements began head-on and Sparrow could be fired at a maximum of 10 miles and a minimum of 3 miles. However, head-on, the MiGs were much smaller and harder to see even with a radar lock achieved. With closure rates approaching a mile every 3 seconds, by the time the Phantom crew had a positive visident on the MiG, it was already too late to fire a Sparrow. TISEO had a 4x and 10x magnification and displayed the image on the WSO's radar display. When the WSO had a radar lock, he could command the TISEO to track the target and then switch to 10x magnification for a visident while the MiG was still in the firing envelope of the Sparrow missile.

Yes, my comment was very much "tongue in cheek", but re-reading it, I should have made that clearer!

Thank you for posting the information.

[John Eacott]

Am I the only one who's posting photos that I've actually taken?

There must be a shed load out there in private collections! Lets see some.

All of my posts have been my own snaps, but this one was taken at Leuchars on 13th Sept 2001 by Michael Hall and is too good not to share :ok:

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/7120-2/Phantom-II-fighter-jets-1553207-1920x1200.jpg

Full size image here (http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/7119-1/Phantom-II-fighter-jets-1553207-1920x1200.jpg)

[Wander00]

That is a BRILLIANT photo, and I am not even a Phanton mate!

[glad rag]

Saw the GAF PHANTOM doing just that on the Friday practice for a Leu at home day, when the lower reheat blew out right overhead and very low over the field...so close that I could see the corrective action being instinctively applied, booting the nose back up level and they carried on with the show. Awesome flying.

Not as scary as the head on diving mig,, when out on the airfield clearing up a fuel/derv spill from the Italian team, but that's another story...

[fastjet45]

I wish back in 1982 I had a camera with me at Leeming, with anticipation we were waiting for the arrival of 12 US Air National Guard Phantoms going to based there for a couple of weeks. Their arrival was somewhat interesting arriving from various directions at low level in to the circuit, one in particular was spectacularly low as he came between the sheds on a knife edge fast enough for us not hear him coming :)

By chance would anyone here have a picture.

[TEEEJ]

Fastjet45,
Some non-flying images of the deployment at following link.

Air-Britain : 8th July 1982 (http://www.abpic.co.uk/search.php?q=8th%20July%201982&u=date)

[fastjet45]

TEEEJ
That was quick, the power of Pprune :cool:

[Argonautical]

IAT 1991

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/argonautical/f4-iat91_zps41iqc6te.jpg (http://s24.photobucket.com/user/argonautical/media/f4-iat91_zps41iqc6te.jpg.html)

[sandozer]

Argonautical. . . Just Phabulous :ok:

[RAFEngO74to09]

Nevada ANG RF-4Cs low-level: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9khQr1iOPfs

[P6 Driver]

Image removed

[bike2lv]

How do you post a photo from Photobucket? Could someone pls advise me. Thx.:confused:

[West Coast]

John

Your pic in post 203 is amazing. I have a new favorite phantom photo.

[Argonautical]

16 return to Wattisham after the Queen's Flypast.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/argonautical/f-4s_wattisham_zpszque3cvi.jpg (http://s24.photobucket.com/user/argonautical/media/f-4s_wattisham_zpszque3cvi.jpg.html)

[P6 Driver]

Image removed

[Not_a_boffin]

XV411

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4107/5195618020_3a92de0b3b_z.jpg

ZE360 is there as well - in much better nick.

On a much more appropriate note, any excuse to post XV586

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3905/14770083175_5da141c196_b.jpg

The excuse today is that there's a cracking article in the Spring 2015 Naval Engineer on the restoration job 1710NAS did on her.

[NutLoose]

bike2lv (http://www.pprune.org/members/439680-bike2lv)



How do you post a photo from Photobucket? Could someone pls advise me. Thx.:confused:


click on the picture on photobucket (right click) and copy the image, OR copy it from the bar to the right of the picture on photobucket. on here click on the little mountain image above this text window when typing and it will open some img bars, paste between them, if your copied image has them, simply paste direct into the text box.

[bike2lv]

http://s1164.photobucket.com/user/bike2lv/media/scan5-30_zpscvdxt31q.jpg.html?o=0

http://i1164.photobucket.com/albums/q575/bike2lv/scan5-30_zpscvdxt31q.jpg

[bike2lv]

Thanks Nutloose- it worked! Pic by me over the Norf Sea, en route home after PIs. Pilot's camera, Fuji film (slide):ok::)

[Hamish 123]

My apologies for the poor quality of this picture, but I find it very evocative, having grown up in Dundee to the sound of Phantoms from Leuchars blasting all over the sky at all hours of the day. This one's breaking into the Leuchars circuit c1983/84.

Could it have been Courtney Mil?

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/w557/finchleyflyer/728ff877-e9b9-4af8-93c9-aa781b26d84f_zps25ztbkjd.jpg (http://s1329.photobucket.com/user/finchleyflyer/media/728ff877-e9b9-4af8-93c9-aa781b26d84f_zps25ztbkjd.jpg.html)

[NutherA2]

10 years too late for NutherA2.........

[wub]

Best I can manage this Friday

Museum of Flight East Fortune

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h269/wub_01/toom_zpsfpqvjooa.jpg

[Bevo]

McDonnell Aircraft F-4K and F-4M Assembly Line: May 1968.

http://www.boeingimages.com/Docs/BOE/Media/TR3_WATERMARKED/4/f/7/6/BI233054.jpg

[Rhino power]

FG.1, FGR.2 and F-4J(UK)
(all images copyright - Herve Cariou)

http://bdd.deltareflex.com/photos/highdef/9/9869.jpg

http://bdd.deltareflex.com/photos/highdef/9/9873.jpg

http://bdd.deltareflex.com/photos/highdef/9/9870.jpg

-RP

P.S. I posted the original images at 1600pix wide, for some reason the forum software seems to have increased the size! Don't ask me how...

[smujsmith]

Rhino Power,

Three superb shots, thanks for sharing them. The 56 Squadron aircraft is particularly good.

Smudge:ok:

[Rhino power]

Glad you like them, Smudge... :)

-RP

[Senior Pilot]

P.S. I posted the original images at 1600pix wide, for some reason the forum software seems to have increased the size! Don't ask me how...


They are 1600 wide, which is twice the PPRuNe preferred 800 x 600!

Nothing to do with 'the forum software', maybe you should resize?

Rgds

[Rhino power]

They are 1600 wide, which is twice the PPRuNe preferred 800 x 600!

Nothing to do with 'the forum software', maybe you should resize?

Rgds

Sorry, they're not mine to resize, I posted the original image address in the image url box. When viewed at 1600pix in their original location, they are roughly 2/3rds the size they are appearing here on PPRuNe, I have no idea how or why they have suddenly become enlarged by just posting the original image url?

-RP

P.S. If they're causing that much consternation to everyone, i'll remove the post altogether... :ok:

[CoffmanStarter]

Rhino ...

Great find ... please don't delete :ok:

[fantom]

10 years too late for NutherA2.........


Never mind, Nuther; I made it (briefly) thanks to the IR you gave me on the Gnat.



http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b236/minlgw/myknees.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/minlgw/media/myknees.jpg.html)

[chopper2004]

I attended ILA Berlin last May and took these of the pair on display by the Wedgetail. Admittedly the last remaining active Phantom Phlyers in Europe as the Luftwaffe retired theirs last year and think the Greeks did the other (?)


http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/longranger/IMG_5400_zpsavxtaxnk.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/longranger/IMG_5401_zpsr0mm3cuk.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/longranger/IMG_5382_zpscdieeezq.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/longranger/IMG_1096_zpsanlhbshm.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/longranger/IMG_5384_zpsjwdeojgf.jpg

Cheers

[Rhino power]

Admittedly the last remaining active Phantom Phlyers in Europe as the Luftwaffe retired theirs last year and think the Greeks did the other (?)

Greece are still flying the F-4E AUP and the RF-4E, Turkey only fly the F-4E 2020 (like the ones in your pics) having recently retired their remaining RF-4E/TM's after several recent fatal accidents involving their F-4 fleet...

-RP

[bike2lv]

En route to CXI squadron handover, # 4 suffers genny failure and has to RTB.

http://i1164.photobucket.com/albums/q575/bike2lv/scan25-40_zpsaruxgtea.jpg

Konica camera, Kodak slide

[P6 Driver]

Image removed

[Vzlet]

At the Maryland Aviation Museum, between rain showers:
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5477/10388372705_395afb2d02_c.jpg

[AR1]

Valiant Air Command Fl 2013 - In for a bit of paint.
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee114/AR_1_b/20130203_143128_zpsjzojiapd.jpg (http://s235.photobucket.com/user/AR_1_b/media/20130203_143128_zpsjzojiapd.jpg.html)

[Argonautical]

IAT 1991

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/argonautical/f-4-iat91_zpsuli78mm5.jpg (http://s24.photobucket.com/user/argonautical/media/f-4-iat91_zpsuli78mm5.jpg.html)

[glad rag]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/F-4G_A-10A_RF-4C_USAFE_in_flight_1987.JPEG/1280px-F-4G_A-10A_RF-4C_USAFE_in_flight_1987.JPEG

Can anyone ID the base/runway in the background?

[UpShutter]

A Greek F-4E at a Florennes TLP 2005.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/MikePix/Compo/F-4E-Florennes01525-338-Mira.jpg~original

[CoffmanStarter]

Another fine selection this Friday ... Well played everyone :D

[exhorder]

@gladrag: Having done some Google maps research, this has to be Sembach AFB, one of the 81st TFW's forward bases in Germany.

[glad rag]

Cheers ex :ok:

Mods, sorry about the size of the image I can't seem to resize it for the forum.

[LFT]

A day late - Apologies - RAF Leuchars late 70's, I think, 8 and 3/4 F-4's in the days before auto focus etc -


http://i59.tinypic.com/mha634.jpg

[bike2lv]

En route to CXI Sqn handover; after the formation 'relaxed' practicing for the flypast

http://i1164.photobucket.com/albums/q575/bike2lv/Scan2-45_zps7fh3nolj.jpg

Konica camera, normal lens, Kodachrome slide

[P6 Driver]

bike2lv - a superb photograph!

[Argonautical]

Duxford 2014

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/argonautical/IMGP3978_zpssw7jtwed.jpg (http://s24.photobucket.com/user/argonautical/media/IMGP3978_zpssw7jtwed.jpg.html)

[Rhino power]

All the following were taken at RAF Gutersloh over the years...
(photographer credit in the image URL)

92 Sqn
http://sg-etuo.de/media/xdc/etuo/XV488O_2_Zetsche.jpg

19 Sqn
http://sg-etuo.de/media/xdc/etuo/XV480B_2_Zetsche.jpg

17 Sqn
http://sg-etuo.de/media/xdc/etuo/XT905_Westersoetebier.jpg

14 Sqn
http://sg-etuo.de/media/pics/XV439_FGR2_14Sqn_lohmann.jpg

II(AC) Sqn
http://sg-etuo.de/media/stolze/XT906T-eduo-stolze.jpg

36th TFW
http://sg-etuo.de/media/xdc/etuo/BT67-260_Westersoetebier_0574.jpg

81st TFW
http://sg-etuo.de/media/xdb/667711WR_31-3-1977_Metze.jpg

JBG-36
http://sg-etuo.de/media/pics/3790_F-4F_JbG36_webber.jpg

AG-52
http://sg-etuo.de/media/westhoffdueppmann/3505-etuo-westhoffdueppmann.jpg

-RP

[Busta]

F.I. 1983http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff471/Tplus9/fIF42.jpg (http://s1237.photobucket.com/user/Tplus9/media/fIF42.jpg.html)

T+9

[CoffmanStarter]

Outstanding images again ... :D

Now Busta ... That image is very familiar ... I may be wrong but I think it was used on a 1970's RAF recruitment brochure ... Are you able to confirm ?

[downsizer]

Why didn't we send phantoms to GW1?