Phantoms over LLanelli

[Mercyman]

Not being funny didnt think there were any still flying in uk

Phantom jets spotted over Llanelli | Llanelli Star (http://www.llanellistar.co.uk/Phantom-jets-spotted-Llanelli/story-22938971-detail/story.html)

[unclenelli]

The photo is XV408, listed as Tangmere Museum.

[Janda]

Reminds me of a time in the early 80's when led on a beach in SW France 2 jets flew over. First wife asks "what are those" know all me says "they are just Mirages" wife says "dont be silly they are definitely there". :hmm::D

[gr4techie]

I like the paintwork in the photo. Interesting colour.

[Kluseau]

They are presumably not suggesting the aircraft spotted over Llanelli was an all blue 19 Squadron Phantom time-warped several decades into the future?

[Rhino power]

...an all blue 19 Squadron Phantom

Er, you mean 92 Squadron? ;)

Whilst there is apparently an ex-Luftwaffe F-4F due in the UK for trials work, I suspect that yesterday's sighting was somewhat wide of the mark...

-RP

[Archimedes]

Are we sure it is a newspaper and not the Welsh version of the Daily Mash?

Other headlines [sic] are:

'Calls made for animals to wear high visibility clothes in Pontyberem'

'Llanelli man admits being drunk in charge of a horse'

'Cheap Kitchen Units Sheffield'

And

'Bomb Disposal Teams Head for Carmarthen Bay' - a serious story illustrated by a photograph of children playing with a frisbee (presumably one of those frisbees filled with RDX).

So it may be that the report of Phantoms is an example of slow news, taking about 24 years to get to print...

[HTB]

F4 operating out of Pembrey Airport...805 metres of paved runway...museum exhibit aircraft...what sort of mushrooms do Welsh journalists eat?

I don't think the reporting is very accurate;)

Mister B

[Nightstop]

We were treated to a very impressive Phantom flyby while taxying out at Kalamata the other day. A Hellenic Air Force F4 based at nearby Andravida AB I believe :ok:.

[Kluseau]

Er, you mean 92 Squadron? ;)


Oh dear! That was what I meant, but my fingers apparently thought otherwise! :O

[CoffmanStarter]

Don't forget Phantom Friday ...

http://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/538685-phantom-friday.html

[just another jocky]

I suspect that the writer meant "phantom jets" as in unknown jets not "Phantom jets" as in F4 but the person who shoves photos into the article thought the opposite.

[Out Of Trim]

Most likely unknown Jets in the circuit at Pembrey Range, poss Tornado GR4s or perhaps F-15Es and not just the usual Hawk Traffic! :O

[Courtney Mil]

After the referendum votes are counted, the truth is bound to come out. I know the consequences will be serious for me, but the world will find out soon enough when we have to divvi up the military resources.

When the UK supposedly took the Phantom out of service, there was made a big show of publishing their destruction. But if you look at all the horrible pictures published, you will only never see more than about 10 airframes. The rest have been quietly stored and maintained and a secret cadre of aircrew and ground crew kept current. The F4 was chosen for retention for its AD and nuclear capabilies.

The occasional overflight is bound to be spotted, but it doesn't happen very often. Sorry if we disturbed you.

[garyscott]

A certain farmer in a certain part of Wales who has a penchant for anti-aircrew sentiments painted onto his roofing should be on your routing . . .
Could annoy the cr*p out of him and plausibly deny that a certain breed of aircraft is in the air. :}

What I would give to see the F4 again though . . . .

Brutal beauty.

[Courtney Mil]

Normally only operated in discrete, closed airspace. But I do know the roof you mean. Shame, it would be fun to go there again.

[PICKS135]

Wishful Thinking Courtney.

A lot of us would like to still see UK F-4s.

God its gone quiet over St Andrews since 08/09/14 :sad::sad::sad:

[Courtney Mil]

It'll be pretty quiet all over Scotland pretty soon. :(

[fantom]

The rest have been quietly stored and maintained and a secret cadre of aircrew and ground crew kept current. The F4 was chosen for retention for its AD and nuclear capabilies.



Am on stby.

[gr4techie]

Any reason why the F4 in the photo is a dark blue colour? Did they think it was good camouflage at the time? I can't think of many land based aircraft painted like that.
I've only seen greys,
desert pink,
Jags in snow cammo,
Nimrod hemp,
attack / bomber green and grey cammo
old FTS red and white and more recent FTS black.
SAR yellow.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5141/5679915351_2a367098c9_z.jpg

[Rhino power]

As far as I can recall, XT899 and XV408 were painted up to celebrate 19 & 92 Sqn's 75th anniversaries. The overall blue colours were a nod towards the Blue Diamonds of 92 Sqn, when they flew Hunters...

-RP

[Out Of Trim]

Courtney, I only wish we did have a secret F4 wing; You can call me back..

Ex Wattisham, Akrotiri, Stornoway Runway Controller!

I await the call!

:ok:

Did APCs with 56, 74 and 43 Sqns

[gzornenplatz]

I am a coiled spring.

[1.3VStall]

RP,

How I wish I could see a silver 92 Sqn Lightning FMk2A with blue spine and fin once again - a British thing of beauty rather than that American abortion!

[Courtney Mil]

1.3, I feel your pain. The Lighting didn't have the special weapons capability required. Of course, one could mention that had the F4 been an abortion, there wouldn't have been 5,000 of them. :ok:

[N2erk]

If a secret F4 AD wing is forming, count me back in- only been, well, a somewhat long time. I still have the ideal turn keys marked on the back of my pencil box. My learning curve is pretty flat, but I'm willing :ok: ( if my wife will let me that is) :rolleyes:

[Rhino power]

1.3, if I might add to CM's observation, the F-4 is still in front line service 56 years after it's maiden flight, and won't be retiring any time soon. The Lightning on the other hand... :}

-RP

p.s. The Lightning is still a magnificent aircraft though!

[matkat]

I am getting used to the peace and quiet at Leuchars:{

[Houlador]

Sure is nice seeing some recent posts here! :D