Phantom Friday

[RAFEngO74to09]

Downsizer

Tornado F3 was the main AD fighter by GW1. However, 6 x Phantom FGR2 of 19 Sqn and 92 Sqn were deployed to Akrotiri on 17 Aug 90 for local air defence.

[Busta]

Hi Coff,

It was taken by my own fair hand, Olympus OM 10; beside the runway near F4 parking. I have the whole sequence but this seemed the best shot.

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

[Busta]

Just for you Coff, the last in the sequencehttp://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff471/Tplus9/PD_0035_zpsqrjk5jzl.jpg (http://s1237.photobucket.com/user/Tplus9/media/PD_0035_zpsqrjk5jzl.jpg.html)

[bike2lv]

P6 Driver- nice pic, especially so in B&W. Groundcrew on the grass- looks just like pics from 1940, except slightly different aircraft!
Lots of nice piccies today.

[downsizer]

RAFEngo

Thanks. Had we stopped moving mud with phantoms by then as well?

[CoffmanStarter]

Thanks Busta ... Great pics :ok:

[smujsmith]

Busta, #249

Cracking photograph sir, the heat shimmer from the afterburners adds greatly to the shot. Thanks for sharing it with us. I have my pre order in for Phantom Boys, looking forward to some good pictures and "interesting" banter.

Rhino Power, as always, pure class. The 14 Squadron approach shot is a beauty, IMHOP.


Smudge :ok:

[RAFEngO74to09]

Downsizer,

The strike / attack and recce roles previously undertaken by the Phantom had been transferred to the Jaguar by 1977 to enable the Phantom to be transferred to the interceptor role.

[Minnie Burner]

Downsizer,

The strike / attack and recce roles previously undertaken by the Phantom had been transferred to the Jaguar by 1977Or because a use had to be found for a failed advanced trainer?

[downsizer]

So from '77 onward it was purely AD....thanks. I did not know that.

[glad rag]

P6 Driver- nice pic, especially so in B&W. Groundcrew on the grass- looks just like pics from 1940, except slightly different aircraft!
Lots of nice piccies today.

Yes, I was just thinking the same...quite reminiscent of the line drawing in the bar in Hendies...

[Busta]

Mostly Air Defence, although we were strafe qualified before the FI. The word must have got out. One day during the only station exercise I have ever known at Akrotiri, instead of shooting at the banner we got tasking for a 4 ship FAC strafe mission. Brilliant fun, especially the FAC callsign: "Sailor"

There was also a rather peculiar Skyflash attack profile for fast patrol boats, which I tried on TLP; not sure it would ever have worked!

[NutLoose]

Pest you may like this


1/7 scale F-4J (UK) Phantom by Andy Lindsley - General Discussion - LSP Forums (http://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?showtopic=56137)

[bike2lv]

We are now CXI Sqn, en route back to CGY from Wattisham.
http://i1164.photobucket.com/albums/q575/bike2lv/Scan1-40_zpsuu7u7iq6.jpg

One of my favorites- Konica camera, Kodak slides

[Pontius]

Yes, I know it's a crap photo but it's been scanned from a photo lifted from the F95 camera and I don't think that's top of David Bailey's tips on how to get the best photographs. Anyway, mucking around with 74 Sqn (I think) in Deci.

"We are four sheeps":


http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac157/Redeyemarvel/188953_210554328961760_1421739_n_2_zpsvzjyoc20.jpg (http://s895.photobucket.com/user/Redeyemarvel/media/188953_210554328961760_1421739_n_2_zpsvzjyoc20.jpg.html)

[BBadanov]

Not 74.
FGR.2s with checkered RWR fin top - 56 ?

[P6 Driver]

Image removed

[John Eacott]

Around 1974, we took a maintenance crew and spare wheels to an 892 cab that was sitting in the way on the Deci runway :cool:

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/1634-1/Phantom+blown+tyres+_+Decimomanu.jpg


http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/5155-2/Phantom+blown+tyres+_+Decimomanu+02.jpg

[melmothtw]

Love how the pilot is nonchalantly walking away from the scene of the 'accident'.

"It was like that when I got here!"

[John Eacott]

No idea why, but nearly all landings were left wheel first. Anyone?

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/1628-1/Phantom+006+touch+_amp_+go+over+4+wire+Ark+Royal.jpg

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/1680-1/Phantom+XV531+picking+4+wire+Ark+Royal.jpg

Regardless of how interesting the runway width and associated parked cabs ;)

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/3276-2/F4K+002+landing+with+crew+in+051+Spot+6.jpg

Notice the crew in the Sea King on 6 Spot waiting for the paraffin pigeons to stop faffing around so they can spread the blades and get started!

[John Eacott]

Love how the pilot is nonchalantly walking away from the scene of the 'accident'.

"It was like that when I got here!"

Well, it was. He was my co-pilot in the Sea King ;)

[Pontius]

No idea why, but nearly all landings were left wheel first. Anyone?

I've always subscribed to the view that it's better to stop first and then land, so I certainly have no expertise whatsoever in catching wires on the back of a boat. However, my thoughts would be that, relatively speaking, the ship is moving from left to right on an angled deck, so the 'downwind' wheel would touch first.

I'm probably completely wrong but I'll try not to let it interrupt my sleep pattern :)

PS: If the Phantoms with whom we were playing were not 74 Sqn, then it would not have been Deci but rather some exercise off Scotland, or possibly off Cyprus after GWI. Either way they made nice targets :E

[Argonautical]

Duxford 2014. I wonder how many of us made the 1:72 Airfix model of this one

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/argonautical/f-4-1-duxford_zpsktcfdh59.jpg (http://s24.photobucket.com/user/argonautical/media/f-4-1-duxford_zpsktcfdh59.jpg.html)

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/argonautical/f-4-2-duxford_zpsvrdt3twu.jpg (http://s24.photobucket.com/user/argonautical/media/f-4-2-duxford_zpsvrdt3twu.jpg.html)

[Busta]

I can't remember where we were going, maybe somewhere nice but not too far away.http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff471/Tplus9/PD_0205_zps6c7c7353.jpg (http://s1237.photobucket.com/user/Tplus9/media/PD_0205_zps6c7c7353.jpg.html)

[CoffmanStarter]

More outstanding pics ... Well played Gents :ok:

[CharlieJuliet]

http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu295/CharlieJuliet44/6%20SQN%20APC%20Sept%2069.jpg

[Coltishall. loved it]

Duxford 2014. I wonder how many of us made the 1:72 Airfix model of this one




Yes I did. And when I was a bit older, blasted it to pieces with my airgun....as you do

[Busta]

Hi Coff, is your grandfather named "Hucks"?

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

[CharlieJuliet]

http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu295/CharlieJuliet44/2015-05-08_1.jpg

[CoffmanStarter]

Hi Busta old chap ... Very good :D :ok:

[glad rag]

Busta-so evocative :D

CharlieJuliet, :ok: now that's a Sqdn foto: jets oh so slightly askew, crews [both flavours] giving it the old "it's a down day get on with it the bars open": the old kind of "so what ? give it your best shot" RAF Squadron attitude that went so sadly awry with the pc jobsworth RAF...

[Rhino power]

Just managed to sneak these in before midnight!

35th TFW F-4E
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/An_F-4E_Phantom_II_aircraft_takes_part_in_an_air_defense_training _mission_with_a_2nd_Bombardment_Wing_B-52G_Stratofortress_aircraft_during_the_15th_Air_Force%27s_fi rst_"Shootout"_conventional_bombing_competition_DF-ST-89-07575.jpg/1280px-thumbnail.jpg

480th TFS / 52nd TFW F-4E
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/F-4E_52TFW_Nov1984.jpeg/1280px-F-4E_52TFW_Nov1984.jpeg

81st TFS / 52nd TFW F-4E
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/F-4E-81st-tfs.jpg/1280px-F-4E-81st-tfs.jpg

ROKAF F-4E's
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/201403_공군17전투비행단_F-4E_Republic_of_Korea_Air_Force_%283%29_%2813261490334%29.jpg/1280px-201403_공군17전투비행단_F-4E_Republic_of_Korea_Air_Force_%283%29_%2813261490334%29.jpg

VF-301 F-4S's in the 'FERRIS' experimental Camo
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/F-4_Phantom_II_VF-301.jpg/1280px-F-4_Phantom_II_VF-301.jpg

-RP

[India Four Two]

Well, I finally remembered to prepare my post in anticipation of Phantom Friday.

An F4H-1F 145310, the eleventh pre-production F4, at the Wings and Rotors Museum at the French Valley Airport, in Murrietta, California, being (slowly) restored to airworthy status:


http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/Phantom%20IMG_2019_zpsb1xsryej.jpg

In March, I went to French Valley Airport on business, but while I was there, I phoned the museum number and was let in to have a look around. I'm glad I did, because after viewing the static exhibits (a Huey and a Choctaw), I was invited to have a look around the maintenance hangar and there, tucked in behind a Huey and two Kiowas, was the F-4.

This was the first time I had seen an F-4 up close. I was particularly interested to see the BLC ductwork and the air distribution slots in the wing. The noise of F-4s in the circuit has always impressed me, particularly that distinctive noise when the BLC was turned on. The first time I saw F-4s was during a UAS summer camp in 1967 at Binbrook, when four USAF F-4s from Bitburg visited 5 (AC) and their F6s. For their arrival, they did a gear-down, flaps-down formation flypast. Very smoky, very noisy, very impressive! :D The last time I saw one was when I was living in Houston in 2001 and an ANG F-4 did a low-and-slow display over a Fourth of July parade.

More information about this restoration and the museum here:

The fight to bring to Phantom back to flight | The Tactical Air Network (http://tacairnet.com/2014/05/27/the-fight-to-bring-to-phantom-back-to-flight/)

http://wingsandrotors.org/phantom-f4/

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/F4_page_zpsllhpl2jf.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/f4-Apr1961_zpspcxn5zah.jpg

It's taking a long time, but perhaps one day, we'll see an F-4 in the air with EXPERIMENTAL on the side. :ok:

[P6 Driver]

Image removed

[MPN11]

Waddo with HAS? Check Six! :cool:

[pr00ne]

Those aren't hardened aircraft shelters, they are the nuclear SSA the other side of the A15 AT Waddington...

[smujsmith]

P6Driver #268,

Truly great "toom" shots, The burnt turkey was always an attractive colour scheme. Thanks for sharing them.

Smudge :ok:

[sandozer]

P6, quality pic. :ok:

[Rhino power]

A selection from the JASDF's, Hiko Kaihatsu Jikken Dan
(credit & copyright to the original photographers)

F-4EJ 17-8301
http://appdc.orz.hm/up/download/1417084817.jpg

F-4EJ 17-8301
http://appdc.orz.hm/up/download/1417084748.jpg

F-4EJ 17-8301
http://appdc.orz.hm/up/download/1416741363.jpg

F-4EJ Kai 07-8431
http://appdc.orz.hm/up/download/1423140778.jpg

F-4EJ 07-8429
http://appdc.orz.hm/up/download/1426165439.jpg

F-4EJ 77-8393
http://appdc.orz.hm/up/download/1429600824.jpg

-RP

[smujsmith]

Rhino,

Stunning shots, simply stunning. I'm awaiting delivery of Phantom Boys, I hope it lives up to the enthusiasm displayed by former operators . What a cracking aircraft though !!

Smudge :ok: (a mere ground crew remf)

[Rhino power]

Thanks, Smudge, I just wish i'd actually taken the photos myself! :)

-RP

[smujsmith]

RP - Well, at least you live in gods second best county, who cares who snapped them, the detail is great, and you posted them.

Smudge:ok:

[Rhino power]

at least you live in gods second best county

Second best?! :ooh:

-RP ;)

[Bevo]

I’m a little late so this is a post about only a part of the Phantom: ;)

LiveLeak.com - Whatever Happened to all Those USAF Fuel Tanks Jettisoned over Vietnam? (http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=832_1396309003#05ICGbrrRFYj7zx4.20)

[smujsmith]

Rhino Power,

Second best only to Staffordshire (where I'm from). My wife is born and bred Leiscestershire, and proud of it too. Keep posting those great shots of a truly great aircraft. I'm looking forward to my ore ordered copy of Phantom Boys, due in the next few weeks.

Smudge :ok:

[P6 Driver]

Image removed

[grobbling about]

E with its tanker hose scuff-mark......

[Argonautical]

Not one of mine, but quite impressive :-

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/argonautical/f-4_phantom_101_zpsfwltj357.jpg (http://s24.photobucket.com/user/argonautical/media/f-4_phantom_101_zpsfwltj357.jpg.html)

[Busta]

Belts and braces, seemed to work most of the time.

http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff471/Tplus9/PD_0021.jpg (http://s1237.photobucket.com/user/Tplus9/media/PD_0021.jpg.html)

[ex-fast-jets]

Looks like Stanley.

Much better to stop and then land, than land and then stop!!

[John Eacott]

Dumping to landing weight, from an ex-crab (CB) who was allowed to play with 892 :cool:

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/7185-1/F4K+downwind+for+Ark.jpg

[Busta]

Stanley it is, here a more familiar view.

http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff471/Tplus9/PD_0013.jpg (http://s1237.photobucket.com/user/Tplus9/media/PD_0013.jpg.html)

I tried the stopping then landing twice; the first time I was sick, the second time my hat blew off.

[Wander00]

Caption comp photo for the future?

[charliegolf]

Caption comp photo for the future?

"Bounty, a taste of paradise".

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

Welcome to BFPO 666 :E

[Plastic Bonsai]

FGR2 XV408 at the Tangmere (thanks foxvc10) Air Museum. Definitely worth a trip.

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff347/Plastic_Bonsai/92ff13ed-bab5-4e2f-aedf-fafe4cdc2e7b_zps06nmpnmc.jpg (http://s538.photobucket.com/user/Plastic_Bonsai/media/92ff13ed-bab5-4e2f-aedf-fafe4cdc2e7b_zps06nmpnmc.jpg.html)

[foxvc10]

IS that Tangmere, not Kemble??

[Wander00]

yes I remember it well................signed for most of the buildings at the then MPA in 86. RAF Mt Pleasant opened 1 May 86, and the first station exercise (thanks Joe) was at about 0200 on 2 May!

[HookEcho]

Only a/c to serve with both Thunderbirds and Blue Angels.

I grew up on Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, South Carolina. The base had a hunting club and would hunt deer in and around the runways. When I was about 10 me and a buddy went on a hunt with our fathers. They parked the truck within 10 yards of the active runway and left us and a beagle in the truck bed while they went looking for deer. We were very excited to see two F4s line up for a formation take off - we were parked mid-field. Excitement turned to pain as they accelerated past us as they departed. It was LOUD! It took us a while to get our hearing back, but we were thrilled. The beagle did not share our enthusiasm. ;)

[CoffmanStarter]

More great pics this week :ok:

Now how about this ...

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/WtMiller/vgphantom29ab.jpg

Image Credit : Original Source Unknown

Spey powered F-4M (FVS) ... Sadly it never made it off the drawing board :(

[Plastic Bonsai]

Sorry I meant Tangmere.

[RAFEngO74to09]

Coffman Starter,

Thanks for posting the F-4M(FVS). I had never seen that before and did not realize that the F-4(FVS) was being considered by the USN as a possible alternative to the F-111B and that the F-4M(FVS) might have fulfilled quite a bit of the TSR2 OR 343 although the Air Ministry really preferred the F-111K after it discounted the Buccaneer 2*.

I found this interesting archive entry in Flight Global from 1966: phantom fv | phantom tsf | air department | 1966 | 0191 | Flight Archive (http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1966/1966%20-%200191.html)

Personally, I would have much preferred a SEngO tour on the F-4M(FVS) than on Tornado GR1 - it would have been a beast with a serious air-to-air capability as well (at least for the first 10-15 years) !

http://alternathistory.org.ua/files/users/user1884/teaser/McDonnell_F-4(FV)S-06_0.JPG?1379733038

[RAFEngO74to09]

41,000 lbf from 92 Sqn !


http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c152/mattibon/XV408B.jpg

[CoffmanStarter]

RAFEngO ...

I too found the 'proposition' of a Phantom III quite interesting. Mind you, from an engineering perspective, those shoulder mounted wings with the sweep actuators could have been quite a challenge. Performance is another thought provoker with presumably a greater AUW.

Best ...

Coff.

[smujsmith]

Just received my copy of Phantom Boys from the big river stores. A quick look through the photographs shows some great shots. Look forward to the read. Now gentlemen, any good 56 Sqdn photographs ? Surely the pride of the F4 fraternity:rolleyes:

Smudge :ok:

[27mm]

No way! Cobras forever! :ok:

[Busta]

"V" before the christening, returning to Halsey Field after a shakedown.
http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff471/Tplus9/san%20diego_zpsl6h5lvcn.jpg (http://s1237.photobucket.com/user/Tplus9/media/san%20diego_zpsl6h5lvcn.jpg.html)

[inputshaft]

Having lived in San Diego for several years after leaving the RAF, I am beyond jealous seeing that photograph.

I've been round Point Loma many times in a Cessna or Beech, but turning final over Coronado Beach in an F4 is something else. Makes my tired old aviation heart get all excited again.

[P6 Driver]

Some of the images featured are superb!

The latest from RAFEngO74to09 and Busta have cheered me up today.

[P6 Driver]

Image removed

[BUCC09]

One for the When We Had an FAA Friday thread.

http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy258/BUCC09/Untitled-Scanned-56%20900x714_zpsfidmffpt.jpg

[Big Pistons Forever]

Is it just me or did the RN Phantoms have an extra long nose gear ?

[Saintsman]

Is it just me or did the RN Phantoms have an extra long nose gear ?

They had an extendable nose leg for carrier use.

[54Phan]

Yes, the nose gear leg on the F-4K extended to allow it to operate from the smaller British carriers. Its radome also folded to one side to allow the Phantom to fit on the lift. One of the ex RN Phantoms was lost when the nose hinge failed on final approach while it was serving with the R.A.F. The crew survived.

[glad rag]

9-12 seconds earlier and the results would have been catastrophic..

[smujsmith]

P6 Driver #321,

Thanks for a truly superb photograph of a 56 Toom.

Smudge:ok:

[Dominator2]

The F4K FG1s also had drooped ailerons, a slotted stabilator and rapid reheat all to assist in operating off Eagle, Hermes and Ark.

[Courtney Mil]

Plus no battery, no HF, hydraulic wing-fold, no INAS, the catapult attachment points and a different means of controlling 12th stage bleed air. The change to the radome wasn't the fact that they hinge, it was the fact that the AWG11 radar antenna folded back as well to allow the FG1 to fit on the lift; the FGR2 AWG12 antenna did not do that. Fast reheat was a function of the 203 Speys in the K model vs the 202 in the M.

[sandozer]

Ah, you did have ASN-39A ! !

[Minnie Burner]

Photo withdrawn by Flickr

[CoffmanStarter]

MB ... You're never too busy for a spook :ok:

http://www.f4phantomeers.org.uk/images/britspook250.png

[Argonautical]

Friend & Foe : Duxford 2014 :-

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/argonautical/Mobile%20Uploads/IMGP4005_zpss79qrg6x.jpg (http://s24.photobucket.com/user/argonautical/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMGP4005_zpss79qrg6x.jpg.html)

[P6 Driver]

Image removed

[bike2lv]

up, up the long delirious burning blue....

http://i1164.photobucket.com/albums/q575/bike2lv/Scan7-40_zps2ippwzeg.jpg

http://i1164.photobucket.com/albums/q575/bike2lv/tailchase_zpsaq0iqgyw.jpg

tailchase!

Nice photo from Duxford Argonautical!

[CoffmanStarter]

I bet that was an impressive sight and sound :cool:

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af162/CoffmanStarter/B8wcuwCIMAQIIo-_zpsamfpbkte.jpg

Image Credit : Source Unknown

Do we have anyone here who took part ?

[P6 Driver]

Image removed

[Argonautical]

Waddington 2009 :-

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/argonautical/DSC01437_zpstiyqnxi3.jpg (http://s24.photobucket.com/user/argonautical/media/DSC01437_zpstiyqnxi3.jpg.html)

[melmothtw]

Re the pic of the FAA Phantom flying over a 'summery' Scotland, can anyone give the purpose of the square (ish) black markings along the aircraft's spine?

[Minnie Burner]

:rolleyes: Also non-slip.

[melmothtw]

Non-slip would make sense I guess, but why the oddly 'chequerboard' pattern and not a continuous strip?

[Minnie Burner]

Try Again!
http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/j393/minnieburner/7401caea-e9d5-402c-a0c7-fccde3c70d8e_zpstjzpp7zb.jpg

[XV410]

Non-slip would make sense I guess, but why the oddly 'chequerboard' pattern and not a continuous strip?
The small dark grey areas within the non slip paint is where there are small access panels to get to the fuel tank sender units

[melmothtw]

Cheers guys.

[Valiantone]

I wonder if this will happen?


F4F en route to England?? (http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?135245-F4F-en-route-to-England)


V1

[Rhino power]

If you like Phantoms (and who in their right mind doesn't!) you'll love this book...
A stunning photowork from Ian Black, of UK F-4's.

http://firestreakbooks.com/files/2015/06/f4uk1.png

Home | Firestreak Books (http://firestreakbooks.com/#lightbox/0/)

-RP

[Fortissimo]

P6 Driver, great pic (#336) but the aircraft was the last airworthy F4J(UK) that now happens to be in USN markings. Though, to be fair, it was theirs to start with! It was still serviceable - yes, even the radar - when it was shut down for the last time. If you look carefully on your next visit, the Wattisham frequency card is still on the front canopy rail.

[P6 Driver]

Fortissimo - Thanks for that - I hadn't researched it's past!

[P6 Driver]

I might bow out of the thread following this post as I've pretty much exhausted my stock of Phantom photos! I'll post more if I find any, but won't post the work of others.

[CoffmanStarter]

Many thanks P6D for your contributions :ok:

[seltsam]

Phlyout

Two years ago

17th June 2013 two F4s passed over current and former air bases in Germany with Phantoms in active use.

GAF F4-F 38+10 while overhead former air force base “Pferdsfeld”, Germany.


http://4steins.de/Air/Phantom800.jpg

[Minnie Burner]

My earlier pics were pulled by Flickr so at Coff's suggestion I'll have a stab with PB.
http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/j393/minnieburner/aa8a3ff4-547f-4dbc-9be2-24b87cf36301_zpsmg88no2t.jpg

[CoffmanStarter]

Perfect MB :ok:

[P6 Driver]

Image removed

[Minnie Burner]

I see PB has nobbled my pix, must be doing something wrong!
Anyway here's a pic I DIDN'T take:


http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b202/aero101/BlueAngels-BentwatersMay1973.jpg

MY effort, as long as it lasts:
http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/j393/minnieburner/Some%20Blues_zpsnyotoqe7.jpg

[wub]

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h269/wub_01/Fairford%201011_zpslbzygn3g.jpg

[John Eacott]

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/10407562_822634384480933_1401393064457475891_n.jpg?oh=b49830 6186ad567f2ea2a1a893800c27&oe=5629B0F2&dl=1

111 Squadron, Leuchars

[P6 Driver]

Image removed

[teej013]

It looks like "H" has a Skyflash Hybrid on Stn 4 - front right Aero 7a, rather than the usual Sparrow III Ballast, as on "F".

[P6 Driver]

Image removed

[Rhino power]

Cobra's...

http://sg-etuo.de/media/xdc/etuo/XV498U_Vogt.jpg
(© Harald Vogt)

http://sg-etuo.de/media/xdc/etuo/XV430S_Westersoetebier.jpg
(© Erich Westersötebier)

http://sg-etuo.de/media/xdc/etuo/XV488O_2_Zetsche.jpg
(© Wilfried Zetsche)

-RP

[P6 Driver]

Image removed

[Argonautical]

I thought Tigers were solitary beasts....

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

[Minnie Burner]

http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/j393/minnieburner/dlp_zpswy57rlxp.jpg

[bike2lv]

It was 40 years ago today.... (well, give or take a day or two)
This is Kinloss, Northern QRA (apologies to Sgt Pepper)

http://i1164.photobucket.com/albums/q575/bike2lv/ScanImage14-35_zpsgnzjzf2y.jpg

[Minnie Burner]

From the save Black Mike campaign website:
http://www.warbirdsnews.com/wp-content/uploads/XV582_900624b_zps738e0429.jpg
Home - Save XV582 'Black Mike' (http://www.xv582blackmike.co.uk/)

[Landlocked1]

Not 32 years ago surely.......http://s5.postimage.org/lif0wx5o7/001_2.jpg

[Landlocked1]

http://s5.postimg.org/oea2qwyrb/002.jpg Greenham
http://s5.postimg.org/4xpd4e3nb/001.jpg Greenham
http://s5.postimg.org/aw36emmlz/003.jpg duxford 77

Liking all the Phantom snaps so a few more of my oldies for you. One of my favourite RAF memories came in 1977 on detachment with 100 sqdn in Deci as a ground trade mere stores LAC lad of 18. Got a Canberra flight with a nice crew of F/L Roberts & F/O Broadway on a camera target towing sortie ( weren't allowed to shoot at us on those of course ). Spent half an hour hearing the 92 sqdn boys whizzing past and seeing bugger all out of my limited vision windows. My pilot then calls up the Phantom guys who proceed to line up 6 a/c on our left, awesome and much appreciated( wish I'd had my camera). They then put on the burners and disappear viewed out my top window one at a time, a sight I will never forget.
If any of you out there were up that sunny afternoon with 92 Nov30 cheers for the cherished memory.
Never have stopped being proud to be part of the best Air Force this world will ever see and I'm sure the Navy & Army guys feel the same about their service. Happy days

[India Four Two]

RF-4C in Hill AFB Museum in Utah:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/IMG_2293_zpsxpzmwepz.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/IMG_2294_zpsp5abevkn.jpg

Martin RB-57A in the background

[OMG Itz Fulovstarz]

Gents,

Firstly, I hope you will not mind a civilian intruding.

Since it is now officially Phantom Phriday, I would like to pose some questions about the attached photo.

I found this on Phantom jet fighter picture archive homepage (http://www.f4phantoms.co.uk), a Phantom Picture Archive set up by Robert Small and Nick Hewgill.

Robert has very kindly given me permission to post a picture here of this beauty:-

http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv301/Skydancer_photos/XV426%201435%20Flt%20Red%20tanks.jpg (http://s694.photobucket.com/user/Skydancer_photos/media/XV426%201435%20Flt%20Red%20tanks.jpg.html)

This is a photo of XV426 in 1435 Flt. markings. Robert believes that the photo was taken at Wattisham in the mid/late 1980's.

My queries concern the fuel tanks:-

1. Were they marked like this for ACM?
2. Were they grey/red or white/red?
3. Does anyone else have any other photos of 23 Sqn or 1435 Flt. Tooms with tanks coloured like these?

Hope you can help,
Michael.

[collbar]

Great to see those red tanks again!!!


These tanks were painted by the 1435Flt ground crew in the couple of days before all 4 aircraft there were due to fly home from the Falklands. Must have been late 1989/early 1990, Each aircraft had different colour tanks. One red, one blue another was I seem to remember a manky yellow the other escapes my memory. The paint was scavenged in the traditional way and done without the managements knowledge. It was planned to paint the whole tank but paint and time ran out.


The first time the det EngO knew of the high jinks was when the 4 aircraft checked in as a colour, which initially confused everybody but became clear as they taxied out of the sheds.....the horror on EngO's face was fantastic to watch!!


I think there was quite a bit of flack after the aircraft got home as it was household gloss paint... not so easy to remove apparently...EngO attempted a bollocking to a bunch of hairy giggling lineys noted and taken on board...Honest gov!!!

[fkerr]

collbar: Was 1435 Flt before or after 23 Sqn?

[OMG Itz Fulovstarz]

Hi Collbar,

Thanks for that!

I assume that due to time constraints and the "unofficial" nature of the repaint, that the gloss red was painted straight onto the tank, rather than a white primer being used.....

Do you know of any other photos?

Thanks again for your reply!

Michael.

[fkerr]

Collbar. Was 1435 Flt formed before or after 23 Sqn, in the Falklands?

[MPN11]

IIRC, PhanDet begat 1435 which begat 23.

Post Sep 83, I have no idea ;)


Edit = completely wrong, see Post 376 by Rhino power

[collbar]

undercoat!!!!!now you tell us!!!!


only very poor instamatic pics I am afraid...will try scanning and see if I am open to the pro cameramen advice!!!!!

[Rhino power]

Was 1435 Flt formed before or after 23 Sqn, in the Falklands?

The 'PhanDet' formed at Port Stanley with 9 jets in October 1982, soon to be replaced by 29 Sqn, 23 Sqn then replaced 29 Sqn in April 1983, followed by a move to RAF Mount Pleasant in April 1984 and a reduction to 4 jets. 1435 Flt replaced 23 Sqn in October 1988...

-RP

[collbar]

ummm photo posting seems to be too difficult.

[CoffmanStarter]

Collbar ...

If you PM me with an eMail address ... I'll send you a crib sheet :ok:

Coff.

[collbar]

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad117/colbar1/Capture%201_zpsnxwriwsd.pnghttp://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad117/colbar1/housey%203_zpsy2xfusmj.png

[collbar]

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad117/colbar1/Capture_zpseshkormx.png


Blue ZV433 crewed in...waiting for first pair to leave.

note centre line tank

each pair had their own Tristar filled to the gunnels.




Cheers Coff.

[nipva]

followed by a move to RAF Mount Pleasant in April 1984 and a reduction to 4 jets

Definitely still at Stanley with 9 aircraft when I left at the end of October 1984. Mt Pleasant had only just started construction.

[wiggy]

The 'PhanDet' formed at Port Stanley with 9 jets in October 1982, soon to be replaced by 29 Sqn, 23 Sqn then replaced 29 Sqn in April 1983,,

TBH I don't remember it really working quite like that.......

As I recall it 29 Sqn effectively founded "Phandet" (having migrated in part from ASI) and ran it/manned it until the end of '82.

23 Sqn personnel started to replace them in Dec 82 :ouch: and by Mid Jan 83 I'm pretty sure "Phandet" (for despite the change in personnel it was still known as such) was almost 100% 23 Sqn personnel, with a "rump" left back at Wattisham to keep the flag flying......a month or two later the axe fell at the UK end...

The 23 Squadron colour did indeed follow the troops down to the Falklands in Spring '83 and only then was the label "Phandet" dropped.

FWIW At pretty much the same time as the squadron colour went south some of us on 23 were heading back north to the UK....

[Dominator2]

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b577/Andrewcneal/Victor%20AAR_zpsapgumkjc.jpg

[CoffmanStarter]

That's a cracking pic Dom2 :ok:

[27mm]

I remember OC92 leading us on a night 4-ship Victor AAR in the 80s; 'twas a v dark night and he had trouble getting visual with the tanker as we rolled in behind in trail at about a mile. He asked the tanker to check his lights were on full brightness. The tanker obliged by firing a white Verey......cue much swearing as all 8 of us lost our night vision for about 10 min......

[OMG Itz Fulovstarz]

Hi again Collbar,

Thanks very much for those photos and for your info.!

Really appreciate it,
Michael.

[Courtney Mil]

Wiggy, you are right. We (29) were the original Phandet, the boss (Fadge) being the first there and we had come mainly from ASI. 23 took over then it became 1435.

[wiggy]

Thanks CM

Having checked my logbook it looks like there was obviously a 29(F) presence amongst the wheels down south later than I thought. I left Stanley in mid March 83, and my hours summary for the period ("Unit: Phandet") was signed by Roy (?) Trotter and 'Fadge.

FWIW my next summary very shortly thereafter was my last for 23 Sqn (only two trips, one of which was the Squadron's disbandment Diamond 9 on 30th March)

...and the next summary was my first monthly on 29(F).....:}

Rgds

Wiggy

[Courtney Mil]

OC 23 joined us down there for a while towards the end of 82 as well.

[Dan Gerous]

I left Stanley in early May 83, and as far as I can remember it was 23 Sqn by then. I must get the slides out and scan them for this thread.

[nipva]

http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo32/greswell/23Sqn%20Stanley%20Jun84_zpsefgfjmqr.jpg?1441021233782&1441021234508

[Shackman]

The things we did for Phandet!

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5722/21036095885_ea07a20ef6_b.jpg


Don't remember why or when we were lifting it, it was just run of the mill tasking so didn't even get a mention in the log book. However, it has 29 Sqn markings, serial No is XV4-8.

[27mm]

Let's see now (not in order):
Grumpy Bob, CT, Hartles, KC, Spud, Jonesy, MaxBurner, Gizzard, Evan, TOMMY, Woodsy....

[OldAgeandTreachery]

Sqn photo Jun 84 - 31 years on, seems less sometimes.
Second row centre looks suspiciously like M*** D****d well known Sengo of No 8 Sqn and possessor of an elderly, female, asian relative.

Phandet? As I recall it was locally known as WIMPDET . GEF control board for equipment allocation had all the sqns identified by Det. i.e Hercdet or Hardet but for 23 sqn it was Wimpdet.

Hercdet used to run a sweepie to see how long the tanker would have to wait, engines running, before the QRA got airborne.
Hat,coat.

[wiggy]

Shackman

Don't remember why or when we were lifting it

I may well be wrong (old age, etc) but one possibility is that the picture is from very late 82 or v early 83 and the underslung F4 was one that had been very very badly damaged in an interesting cable engagement in the early days of Phandet. As I heard it the cable whipped upwards on hook engagement and into the leading edge of the horizontal ('ish) stab, - I think CM was there at the time and will no doubt have the full story. As a result of that unforeseen nasty incident/near accident we inherited a policy of "hook down, stay down" from the original Phandet crews (rather than performing a "bolter") if we thought we'd missed the approach end cable(s).

I seem to recall a Chinook being used to lift the airframe from the airfield and carrying it out to a ship to be repatriated.

Hercdet used to run a sweepie to see how long the tanker would have to wait, engines running, before the QRA got airborne.
Hat,coat.

"Oldageand....." Err, Well in our defence at least we had the good grace not to block the runway at midpoint by collapsing a nose wheel.....oh how the guys who were already airborne without tanker support laughed .....:uhoh: still, it all worked out ok in the end....:ok:

[Fortissimo]

Mid 1983 when all the dets were numbered (1312, 1453 etc) and we inherited the 23 Sqn badge, there was an edict issued from STC that PHANDET, HERCDET, CHINDET, HARDET and so on were no longer to be used on signals or other correspondence.

Distribution from the commcen? Yep: PHANDET, HERCDET, HARDET...

[BEagle]

27mm wrote: Let's see now (not in order):
Grumpy Bob, CT, Hartles, KC, Spud, Jonesy, MaxBurner, Gizzard, Evan, TOMMY, Woodsy....

And the slug-balancer in chief on the front row is GB, OC 56.

(When did 'Marvin the paranoid android' become 'Grumpy Bob'?)

Gizz - the RAF's only commissioned football hooligan!

[Wander00]

23Sqn with 4 aircraft were at MPA in Jan 86 when I arrived. Don't know how long they had been there but the centre part of the runway had been taken over from the contractors the previous year. I signed for the rest shortly after I arrived

[27mm]

Hi BEags,
On 229 he was known as Grumpy Bob. Unsure why, 'cos I never found him to be that way!

[nipva]

27mm


Let's see now (not in order):
Grumpy Bob, CT, Hartles, KC, Spud, Jonesy, MaxBurner, Gizzard, Evan, TOMMY, Woodsy....Ok I am familiar with all of the noms de plume above except 'Max Burner' which surprises me somewhat as I was there too. Perhaps you could clarify without giving name in clear e.g 2nd from right 2nd row.

[Dominator2]

Ok I am familiar with all of the noms de plume above except 'Max Burner' which surprises me somewhat as I was there too. Perhaps you could clarify without giving name in clear e.g 2nd from right 2nd row.

2nd Row 4th from Left - DHL

[Sabre Dog]

I appreciate that often used publicity photographs may not portray aircraft in representative operational condition. However, can anyone explain why there are virtually no pictures of Royal Navy FG1's with missiles loaded, even acquisition rounds or drill rounds? Am I right in thinking that RAF Phantoms usually carried at least two forward sparrow drill rounds,as it was beneficial to the C of G? If so, why not Navy Phantoms?

Also, given the FG1's role why were they never wired for the SUU-23/A gun? I know the FG1's were updated to include this facility when they were transferred to the RAF. Would it have not been a more versatile weapon than the Matra pods and bombs that there seem to be quite a few pictures of?

If anyone has some good pictures of Royal Navy Phantoms with a full missile load (that isn't on display at some shore based air show), can they please post some here?

[fkerr]

Haven't got any photos of RN FG1's armed with 4x4 sparrows/ sidewinders but I can confirm that 892 sqn took thier turn doing Northern QRA in 1973 after they arrived at Leuchars in 1972.


Posted from Pprune.org App for Android

[Scruffy Fanny]

Never start with an apology - so I won't
F4Uk is available from Home | Firestreak Books (http://www.firestreakbooks.com)
If you are a member of pprune I'm happy to donate the postage and packing to the charity of your choice - let me know
If anyone can give me a simple heads up how to post images I will gladly
do so got lots of UK F4 pictures
The reason the FG1 didn't have the gun I'm told is that it would have be v hard to harmonise with a carrier landing performed and knocking the gun about
Hope I can put some nice images on here
Kind rgds
Ian black - scruffy fanny was what my mother called me !

[CoffmanStarter]

SF ...

If you PM me with your eMail address I'll send you a crib sheet on pic posting :ok:

Cheers ...

Coff.

[Scruffy Fanny]

Cheers Coff

[John Eacott]

can anyone explain why there are virtually no pictures of Royal Navy FG1's with missiles loaded, even acquisition rounds or drill rounds?

Weren't the RN Phantoms F-4Ks, not FG1s?

[Bollotom]

Didn't 892 NAS have? :)

[RAFEngO74to09]

John Eacott,

F-4K and F-4M were the US designations for UK Phantoms which had the UK military mark / type designations Phantom FG1 and FGR2 respectively.

[RAFEngO74to09]

892 NAS FAA Phantom FG1 loaded with 2 x Sparrow, 4 x Sidewinder and 3 x SNEB rocket pod on a triple carrier.


https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5050/5347214464_05016a9c3f_b.jpg

[Sabre Dog]

Great picture "RAFEngO74to09", just the sort of thing I had in mind! However, is this a very unusual configuration? Four Sidewinders, Two Sparrows, Two drop tanks, two luggage pods and three Matras on the centreline hard point!

Also, is the patch underneath the port wing by the roundel, evidence of wing strengthening?

[soddim]

Rockets on the centreline - never very accurate. Problem was that the airflow around the fuselage gave the rockets a disturbed air mass for a significant part of their initial flight. With relatively low initial velocity this resulted in much more dispersion than from the wing stations and on 6 Sqn we stopped using the centreline station for Sneb in 1970.

[unmanned_droid]

Useful for carrying them somewhere if your usual stations have baggage pods on though?

Anyway - I really enjoy this thread and the other similar threads.

One of my earliest aviation memories was a 3 or 4 ship blasting off over the car from an air show (maybe very early Fairford) whilst we were waiting to get off the airfield. I think they were 226 (correction 228, thanks Captain) OCU.

[Captain Radar....]

That'd be Number 228 OCU. Ahhh those were the days...................

[PEI_3721]

The FAA did not have a great reputation whilst carrying / living firing AIM 7;-
A free-fire exercise off the East Coast of USA cost many cases of gin and apologies for bagging a B66 jammer.
MPC or similar witnessed a slow cordite burn which resulted in a delayed motor ignition thence the missile proceeded forward over the wing!

[Captain Radar....]

I appreciate that often used publicity photographs may not portray aircraft in representative operational condition. However, can anyone explain why there are virtually no pictures of Royal Navy FG1's with missiles loaded, even acquisition rounds or drill rounds? Am I right in thinking that RAF Phantoms usually carried at least two forward sparrow drill rounds,as it was beneficial to the C of G? If so, why not Navy Phantoms?

When I was crawling around under the belly of the beast we usually had a ballast Sparrow shape and a strike camera fitted in the forward Sparrow stations. I understood this to be a balance for the no 7 fuel tank which was in the spine under the fin. This was installed in the F4E which had a natural 'counterweight' courtesy of the cannon in the nose.
We used to have to check that the no 7 tank was disabled during refuelling and I don't think I ever knew of one being filled. Not sure the FG1 had the 7 tank which might be why they didn't carry the shape all the time.

[unmanned_droid]

I hang my head in shame...yes, I knew that, honest.

[Wander00]

SF - so what did she call you when she was mad at you?.............

[BSweeper]

Wiggy - Re Phandet.

The picture may well be the damaged F4 due to the cable engagement. It was about late November/early December 1982 and I think Madsox was the pilot. I was in the tower at the time with Sheriff JS and he remarked the pilot should have bolted. When we inspected the aircraft shortly after, the cable steel coupler had gone through a major part (no 14?) of the rear end and the whole lot would have come off if he had tried to get airborne. I do believe the front end was eventually stitched to the rear end of XV 436 "E" which overshot Coningsby's runway (sans crew) earlier to make a new airframe although I am not sure - just one of those stories.

Just to put the record straight, No 29 were the first F4s in the Falklands. OC Fadge went on 17 Oct 1982 to receive the heroes welcome and I went the next day as a pair with Jim, Budgie and Laurie. After 8.30 hrs flying and 14 tankers later, and after several practice approaches, I remember OC Ops telling us to keep 93% to stay in the RAG and we were thinking what a silly bug!er. What we did not realise was that it was a Navy type arrestor (an A RAG) and it was like hitting a brick wall compared to what we were used to. A few half eaten sandwiches migrated from the rear cockpit to the front. So he was right after all.

Oh and by the way, despite what has been said, CM was NOT there at the time (or at Ascension immediately beforehand - he was in the original detachment there much earlier when the war was on I think). He came to FI when we left to go home in December 82 ISTR.

[Scruffy Fanny]

Bsweeper - XV436 never flew again it was taken i think to the range at Foulness - the one at Stanley was rebuilt - somewhere I've some shots of 436 in the field it was totally written off =

[BSweeper]

Scruff


Thanks for that info. As I said, I was not sure and where would we be without apocryphal stories (as long as they are good ones).


The Sweep

[wiggy]

BSweeper

Many thanks for the full story about that RHAG engagement. I'm not sure if you were still down south when the RHAG provider's globe trotting "expert" pitched up at Phandet to show us some high speed footage he'd taken of some our subsequent engagements.....the amount of upwards whip generated in the cable in some engagements cause a few "cor blimeys....." :ooh: amongst the assembled multitude..I think there were a couple of instances of it almost flicking the hook back up against the lower fuselage, which as you'd appreciate given the F-4 hook was no mean feat.......

Oh and by the way, despite what has been said, CM was NOT there at the time

Ah, that's old age for you (mine), for some reason I'd started to think of CM as sort of being "omnipresent".....my mistake....:}

Rgds

wiggy

[BSweeper]

http://i1274.photobucket.com/albums/y438/charlespatchett/2%20F4s_zps0jibvop9.jpg


This is a nice F4 pic but there is something quite odd about it for me.

Firstly, I clearly took it as I have the colour negative but, when I was on 29 Sqn.,I cannot remember ever flying formation with an OCU bird.

Also the crews are wearing white domes and I do remember flying 3 hour sorties in ASI wishing I had one. The head temp was way high and the legs, due to full on air conditioning, were frozen.

There is also a strange pod on the lead ac. I do remember a trial (Trial Unity?) when we flew against the OEU who were trialling a training ECM pod. Does anybody else know what was going on here?

The Sweep

[Scruffy Fanny]

I think its a Bullpup missile pod - used when we fired Missiles at Valley - but i can't see a live missile fitted - the nearest aircraft also seems to have a multi launcher on the right sgt fletcher station - When i was on the OCU we used some of 29 Sqn s jets as they had left some behind before heading to APC at Akrotiri

[Rhino power]

This is a nice F4 pic but there is something quite odd about it for me.

Firstly, I clearly took it as I have the colour negative but, when I was on 29 Sqn.,I cannot remember ever flying formation with an OCU bird.

The Sweep

I don't think it is an OCU jet, you can clearly see the outline of a 'G' on the tailfin, and the serial looks to be XV419. 419 flew as 'G' with 29 Sqn in Barley Grey camo, it also flew with 228 OCU after 29 Sqn too, but as 'CD'. So I'd guess it is still a 29 Sqn jet in your photo... :)

-RP

p.s. 419 also flew as 'G' with 23 Sqn after 228 OCU but, since you were on 29 Sqn at the time of the photo, I'd doubt it was a 23 Sqn jet!

[Scruffy Fanny]

http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq26/ian_black4/XV419G-29SdnbCNY0681_zpssbjex3vp.jpg

[CoffmanStarter]

SF ... These are great pics ! Many thanks for sharing with us ... please keep them coming :ok:

[54Phan]

I agree with CS, great pictures. Never get tired of looking at Phantoms!:D

[BSweeper]

Guys
You are right and thanks RP for the input - well done.

Checking through my logbooks, I flew in 419 some 20-30 times on 29. Al Riley (RIP) and I took it to Keflavik in August 81 - remember the F4s in Iceland badge. However, sorry to be so mis-informed about it appearing to be an OCU bird - I thought all of ours had the Triplex badge (as it indeed has in SF's fantastic pic).

Still not sure what a Bullpup missile was - I certainly never flew with one.

Sweeps

[KenV]

I think its a Bullpup missile pod....
I never flew F-4s but did fly A-4s, including A-4s with Bullpups. Unless the UK Bullpups were significantly different than the USN Bullpups, that is not a Bullpup in the photo.

[BSweeper]

KenV


I rather suspect you are right. The UK did have a high speed target missile - I forget the name - that we fired Sparrows/Skyflash against on the Hebrides range. This may be what it is - however, it may still be the training ECM pod I originally thought.


No doubt an expert on this forum will have all the answers and certainly more than I can come up with. Cue BEagle/CM!


Sweeps

[TEEEJ]

Is this the same pod? Serial XV474 Phantom FGR.2 at Duxford Museum.

https://acesflyinghigh.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/img_5490-1024x683.jpg

[PEI_3721]

Re pod: possibly a phot pod used to record missile firings at MPC.

[Rhino power]

It is a Bullpup hanging off XV419, but it's the missile body only, they were used as camera pods to record live firings etc, as SF and PEI 3721 have alluded to, and as shown in TEEJ's photo. :)

-RP

[wiggy]

BSweeper

The UK did have a high speed target missile - I forget the name

"Stiletto"? (Shorts built varient of the AQM-37)

https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1969/1969%20-%202802.PDF

[Courtney Mil]

Yes, it certainly looks like the camera pod we carried for missile firings at STCAAME. The port in the side was for recording Sparrow/Skyflash ejection, motor ignition and initial fly out.

A shame that Duxford could scrounge the radar fuse antennas for their Skyflash there.

[KenV]

It's Friday, 9/11 and not a single new Phantom Phriday posting?

Whahappened? I need a fresh fix!!

[RUCAWO]

Waiting for its wings at the Ulster Aviation Society.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/sniperUK/sniperUK109/IMG_0001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/sniperUK/sniperUK109/IMG_0002.jpg

[CoffmanStarter]

Now that's a Flight Line to get excited about 👍

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

Image Credit : RAF Historical Branch

18 FGR2's 228 OCU RAF Coningsby 1969

[Landlocked1]

Were there any 92 sqdn guys who were on the Deci detachment 30Nov1977 ? see posting 367. Must be someone out there alive and kicking, I remember one of the pilots was Flt Lt Hunt .
Memory also of a brilliant practise display one sunny morning for the Goodwood air show circa 1974. Got right up the nose of one of the locals who went to print in the Chichester observer complaining about the once a year noise! Everyone else loved it .:)

[Rhino power]

A goodly selection...
(All images credit & copyright - Gerrit Kok)

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8525/8586643668_98eba9f7ba_o.jpg
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8121/9019674204_99ab6e5876_o.jpg
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3796/11534463334_eef5966078_o.jpg
https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6066/6129944370_b50e27f2fc_o.jpg
https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6186/6116778185_59410f4b30_o.jpg
https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6217/6257927259_b2d2320203_o.jpg
https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6186/6144562644_1ee0654d81_o.jpg
https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6078/6137152875_da07fa2d44_o.jpg
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5542/10967067963_fdfc5685e1_o.jpg
https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6174/6192377565_9b556dfff3_o.jpg

-RP

[On_The_Top_Bunk]

Here are a few from MPA 1992


https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/76196935/scan0271.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/76196935/scan0274.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/76196935/scan0275.jpg

[lmgaylard]

In this months Aviation News magazine there is an F-4 Phantom special.


The 'Ark's Angels' article is fabulous..;)


http://www.aviation-news.co.uk/central/images/covers/large/6440.jpg

[im from uranus]

During Gulf War 1 in Cyprus I'd helped strap the Nav in and once done asked him if he'd mind taking some photo's for me. He replied 'no problem'.

The Nav was CJ Weightman who was sadly lost later that year :{

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n630/imnotfromuranus/b30ec4bc-93a3-4545-8a57-95f920be32a9_zpsw4jwoykm.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n630/imnotfromuranus/2cc7a60c-7189-42d2-a4b3-4f7ca685e35c_zps5tlzej76.jpg

Waiting for the crew.

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n630/imnotfromuranus/01539352-f3f1-4d28-b263-d17a2f603bf2_zpsfygyqjcg.jpg

[CoffmanStarter]

Nice pics IFU :ok:

[SATCOS WHIPPING BOY]

Here are a few from San Diego Aerospace Museum and USS Midway.

Still one of my all-time favourite aircraft.

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq5/grimreaper1664/phantom/f4%2010-001.jpg


http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq5/grimreaper1664/phantom/f4%2011-001.jpg


http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq5/grimreaper1664/phantom/f4%209-001.jpg


http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq5/grimreaper1664/phantom/f4%208-001.jpg


http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq5/grimreaper1664/phantom/f4%207-001.jpg


http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq5/grimreaper1664/phantom/f4%206-001.jpg


http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq5/grimreaper1664/phantom/f4%205-001.jpg


http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq5/grimreaper1664/phantom/f4%204-001.jpg


http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq5/grimreaper1664/phantom/f4%203-001.jpg


http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq5/grimreaper1664/phantom/f4%202-001.jpg


http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq5/grimreaper1664/phantom/f4%201-001.jpg

[glad rag]

Awesome pictures guys :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

[smujsmith]

Superb photographs this week gentlemen. I'm just reading David Gledhills series of four books, based on the Phantom in RAF service, by heck, the thing is a "reset beast" !!

Smudge :ok:

[TheWestCoast]

Randy Cunningham. That's a heck of a story.

[lmgaylard]

If you've not read it, 'One day in a long war' by Jeffrey Ethell & Alfred Price is an excellent book.
It is a full account of 10th May, 1972 and the air war over North Vietnam. The 'Duke' features in it quite a lot as do a lot of other US Navy and Air Force chaps.

[BEagle]

TheWestCoast wrote:Randy Cunningham. That's a heck of a story.
The full story certainly is. The flight on 10 May 1972, during which he and his RIO Willy Driscoll achieved 3 kills before themselves being shot down, is a classic of the time.

What a shame that Duke resorted to bribery and corruption in his post-USN life in politics, for which he served 7 years in jail...:uhoh:

[SkyHawk-N]

It's Friday, so here are some Phantoms. A 1970s video filmed as if it were back in the 1940s :ok:

m_ws8jBgSrU

[salad-dodger]

Superb photographs this week gentlemen. I'm just reading David Gledhills series of four books, based on the Phantom in RAF service, by heck, the thing is a "reset beast" !!

Hmmmm, read one, not sure I will be bothering with any more.

S-D

[CoffmanStarter]

http://www.pelgrim.biz/bvfc/foto/F-4_001.jpg

Image Credit : Unknown/Unable to Assign

Looks like someone might benefit from some German software :E

Sorry ... Just couldn't resist that one :ok:

[smujsmith]

Nice to see some "bigger hipped" M's, though I'm sure the standard version is a very nice aircraft. Anyone have any thoughts of the difference (or not) in handling and performance with the RR powered beast ?

Smudge:ok:

[camlobe]

Always seem to be surrounded by 'Tooms', but never had the pleasure of fettling them. I can't comment on performance differences between 'US' spec and RR models, but I do remember our scopies on the Great 8 mentioning the narrower birds were more difficult to spot head-on than ours.
Camlobe

[Buc Driver]

Hi not sure if this is the right place to raise this. We are starting the rebuild of the former Leuchars gate guard XT864, one thing we are looking for are the yellow protective caps for the sidewinder missiles, would anyone know where we could source them.

[Above The Clouds]

Buc Driver
We are starting the rebuild of the former Leuchars gate guard XT864, one thing we are looking for are the yellow protective caps for the sidewinder missiles, would anyone know where we could source them.


Have you not tried this UK company for all of your everyday needs to service your sidewinder :ok:

surplus aircraft parts and accessories - Johnsons Of Leeds (http://www.johnsonsofleeds.co.uk/shop/en/11-missiles-and-accessories)

[54Phan]

Pardon the (semi) thread creep, but for the plastic modellers in the crowd, Hong Kong Models is currently working on a 1/32nd F-4K/M. More details on their book of face page.:ok:

[MPN11]

As a slightly peripheral comment, how much of the US Defense Budget gets spent on stencils, tail art, and generally scribbling all over their aircraft?

[Minnie Burner]

As a slightly peripheral comment, how much of the US Defense Budget gets spent on stencils, tail art, and generally scribbling all over their aircraft?
Who cares??

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bb/F-14A_FGR2_1991_DN-SC-91-03245.JPEG/1024px-F-14A_FGR2_1991_DN-SC-91-03245.JPEG

[Rhino power]

This weeks offering...
(all photos credit & copyright, Phil Bradshaw - stcaamekid (flickr)

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5603/15162455234_b301a90c56_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2924/14255976931_ba18059ff1_b.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5549/14183921682_b8ac1ff531_b.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5077/14252758284_2bd226c4e9_b.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3904/14712100783_63f2761e46_b.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5532/14066555227_c30646446d_b.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7567/15656620456_b24ec95594_b.jpg

-RP

[CoffmanStarter]

Outstanding pics Rhino ... :ok:

[smujsmith]

You've spoiled us this week Rhino, thanks from a fan. I do like the "fighting crocks" shots.

Smudge:ok:

[glad rag]

Agreed, plus smashing last three "clean" wing pictures :D

that double checkers tail though :yuk:

[Minnie Burner]

Agreed, plus smashing last three "clean" wing pictures :D

that double checkers tail though :yuk:

Agreed! It should have a blue anti-smash to match....

[dragartist]

OK I know it is Sunday, just catching up with a bit of admin and noted the announcement for a talk in town next week


WEDNESDAY 10th February 2016.
Phlying the Phantom - A Day in the Life of a Phantom Pilot in the Cold War
Mike Bettell starts with an overview of the East West confrontation of the post-war period and covers the air threat to UK and our defences, including the SAMs and aircraft we deployed. It moves on to describe a day in the life of a pilot on a Phantom squadron the air defence (fighter) role, training for war.
Venue is Function Room above The Barley Mow in Horseferry Road, Westminster, a few minutes walk from St James Park Tube Station


Not sure if Mike a PRuNer.


I have been to several LSAB events over the past 20 or more years. Unfortunately Eric took a tumble and was unable to deliver our last lecture at the VSC. Fortunately I did not have to stand in this time as a more appropriate stand in was found. We do have a fellow PRuNer making an appearance this season but I will let him tell you about that.


Drag

[adskankster]

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

Hello, sorry to butt in late on an old thread/post, but my father recently passed away, and while we were going through his stuff, we found a black and white version of this image and a poster of it. I remember the poster from when I was a child and I know that he was back seat in the rear aircraft. I remember him saying that the owners of the castle weren't overly happy about the fuel dump.


We were looking to get copies of the picture made - preferably colour ones. The b&w version we have is a little grainy and the poster is not in great condition.


We have the negative number from the back of the b&w print, but the Imperial War Museum don't have a copy and Hendon didn't get back to us. Do you have a decent copy of this that we could use to run prints off? Did you take the picture or were you in either plane?

EDIT: not 20 mins after I post the above, than I get a call from my mother telling me that Hendon did get back to her and she's managed to track it down. That said, I'd still be interested to know more about the shot, and whether there are any others from the same sortie.

Many thanks.

[CoffmanStarter]

Welcome Adskankster ... Condolences on the sad loss of your father recently. Hopefully someone might be able to help you ... Let's hope so :ok:

[adskankster]

Welcome Adskankster ... Condolences on the sad loss of your father recently. Hopefully someone might be able to help you ... Let's hope so :ok:

Thank you.

[Buster Hyman]

Was just reading this thread & enjoying some magnificent photos of this mighty aircraft when an episode of Megastructure Breakdown came on to the idiot box and, sure enough, it was an episode where the Luftwaffe were breaking down their F4's.

:(

Talk about deflating.

[Hueymeister]

Cracking thread, lovely photos, but what are the open 'flap' things toward the back of the engines for?

[Rhino power]

what are the open 'flap' things toward the back of the engines for?

Auxiliary Air Doors, two underneath the fuselage as well, the two on the upper fuselage are unique to Spey engined Phantoms. Their function is to open below 210kts (iirc) to provide additional air to the engines, they also blip open at speeds above 210kts to vent excess engine bay pressure, I think at +10 psi above atmospheric (iirc), I can't remember the exact figures and I can't find the relevant pages in the AP101 at the moment! :)

-RP

[27mm]

Ask G+10, he'll know!

[Rhino power]

All images credit & copyright - Rob Schleiffert

F-4E 74-1639/SP - 23rd TFS/52nd TFW
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2823/13340333284_0706145346_o.jpg

F-4E 66-0376/GA - 21st TFTS/35th TFW
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2170/13044435893_9b1025eb96_o.jpg

F-4E 66-0377/ED - 6512th TS
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2888/12842861393_873ed77bb3_o.jpg

RF-4B - VMFP-3
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/725/22688672545_9958a765e1_o.jpg

F-4G 69-0284/WW - 562nd TFTS/37th TFW
https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1635/25045463450_de426230e0_o.jpg

RF-4E 35+77 - AG-52
https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1669/24294246610_bc705f1406_o.jpg

F-4EJ Kai 17-8440 - 306 Hikotai
https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7356/13653917814_968ea4b49b_o.jpg

F-4EJ Kai 67-8381 - 306 Hikotai
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2877/13653569345_e75e9acda8_o.jpg


-RP

[CoffmanStarter]

Thanks Rhino ... Phantom Phriday is back :ok:

[Rhino power]

... Phantom Phriday is back :ok:

You can't keep a good Phantom thread down for long, Coff! ;)

-RP

[Courtney Mil]

Cracking shots, guys, thank you all.

Rhino Power, 10psi is spot on. :ok:

[Rhino power]

Rhino Power, 10psi is spot on. :ok:

Cheers, CM... :)

-RP

[Bernoulli]

Never did it myself on the F4 but......

I heard that for grins the Marines used to pull a Phantom up into the vertical and as it ran out of energy the Nav (or WSO in Yankspeak), having unstrapped, would pop his canopy, lean forward and mark a chinagraph cross on the outside of the pilot's canopy as far forward as he dare before smartly retreating and selecting his cannot closed just as the jet fell out of the air. Big balls....

Urban myth, or did it really happen?

[CharlieJuliet]

Adskanster ,I am afraid that time has deleted my memory of who was in the 2 Phantoms in #468. All I can tell you is that I flew on 5 and 6 August 1970 with Mr Peter Stevenson, an MOD photographer. On the 5th we flew along the Rhine and on the 6th we flew down south in 4 ATAF. I think the photo was from the second sortie. I am glad that you got a decent colour pic. PM me if you want more details. # 473 I remember the aux air doors causing problems in the early days when we visited non
Phantom bases as every one who saw the aircraft thought that we had a loose panel. Re #480 - I certainly heard rumours of this practice but never knew of anyone who actually managed it. The other grin we had from the Marines was instituted by a Marine Major Robinson who had perfected a manoeuvre in Vietnam. The idea was turn through 180 and get to a fighting velocity. The Robinson Loop started at cruise and one selected reheat, inverted the aircraft and started to pull through. At 420 the aircraft was loaded and at 450 it was possible to peg 8.5 g. At 420 - 450 it was necessary to start rolling out into a steep diving turn and 8.5 was maintained through the 180. The aircraft was rolled out having lost a couple of thousand feet at 480 knots. Anyone remember these?

[tarantonight]

Lets have some FAA F4 pics. Must be some more out there......Adskanster ,I am afraid that time has deleted my memory of who was in the 2 Phantoms in #468. All I can tell you is that I flew on 5 and 6 August 1970 with Mr Peter Stevenson, an MOD photographer. On the 5th we flew along the Rhine and on the 6th we flew down south in 4 ATAF. I think the photo was from the second sortie. I am glad that you got a decent colour pic. PM me if you want more details. # 473 I remember the aux air doors causing problems in the early days when we visited non
Phantom bases as every one who saw the aircraft thought that we had a loose panel. Re #480 - I certainly heard rumours of this practice but never knew of anyone who actually managed it. The other grin we had from the Marines was instituted by a Marine Major Robinson who had perfected a manoeuvre in Vietnam. The idea was turn through 180 and get to a fighting velocity. The Robinson Loop started at cruise and one selected reheat, inverted the aircraft and started to pull through. At 420 the aircraft was loaded and at 450 it was possible to peg 8.5 g. At 420 - 450 it was necessary to start rolling out into a steep diving turn and 8.5 was maintained through the 180. The aircraft was rolled out having lost a couple of thousand feet at 480 knots. Anyone remember these?

[adskankster]

Adskanster ,I am afraid that time has deleted my memory of who was in the 2 Phantoms in #468. All I can tell you is that I flew on 5 and 6 August 1970 with Mr Peter Stevenson, an MOD photographer. On the 5th we flew along the Rhine and on the 6th we flew down south in 4 ATAF. I think the photo was from the second sortie. I am glad that you got a decent colour pic. PM me if you want more details.

Thank you very much. I'll PM....

[soddim]

I certainly remember the 'Robinson Loop', Charlie Juliet, having instructed in its' execution from the rear seat on 228 OCU. We taught it for a few years in the early 70's until the pieces of wing panel started parting company. Close scrutiny of the newest copy of the R to S revealed that we had been exceeding the rolling G limits by a fair margin!
Can't say I was disappointed at not teaching it any more - it was more than a bit tricky to stay awake in the pit whilst someone else was pulling 8.5G.

[twothree]

And then there was the "guns" defence!

[CoffmanStarter]

I might be +24 Hrs on this one ... But thought there might be some interest :ok:

The image comes from the Telegraph CS dated 3rd Oct 1976. Whilst the cockpit names may not reflect the crews actually flying in the pic ... at a guess it looks like a Lt J. I. Nocton (or Mocton) and Lt. A. T. Davies on 006 ... not able to make out 005 names.

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af162/CoffmanStarter/IMG_1369_zpsw158uejo.jpg

Image Credit : Telegraph Magazine

Anyone know the crews or would like to own up to being the crews ;)

Best ...

Coff.

[tarantonight]

I might be +24 Hrs on this one ... But thought there might be some interest :ok:

The image comes from the Telegraph CS dated 3rd Oct 1976. Whilst the cockpit names may not reflect the crews actually flying in the pic ... at a guess it looks like a Lt J. I. Nocton (or Mocton) and Lt. A. T. Davies on 006 ... not able to make out 005 names.

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af162/CoffmanStarter/IMG_1369_zpsw158uejo.jpg

Image Credit : Telegraph Magazine

Anyone know the crews or would like to own up to being the crews ;)

Best ...

Coff.

I know a man who may be able to help, but 76 could be just a little late.

TN.

[CoffmanStarter]

Many thanks TN :ok:

[CoffmanStarter]

A bit more background while TN follows up his crew lead ...

006 of 892 NAS was XV589. Unfortunately this was the aircraft that crashed in June 1980 flying an approach to RAF Alconbury when the radome opened and folded back. She was with 111 Squadron at the time ... thankfully both crew ejected safely. XV589 then ended her days on the RAF Coningsby Fire Dump :(

I'm not able, as yet, to tie up 005 to a Serial Number ... Perhaps our good friend Rhino Power can help ?

[Percy Cute]

005. XT867?

http://lionels.orpheusweb.co.uk/AirSea/ArkRoyal/ArkRoy12/PH005.jpeg

[Minnie Burner]

This might be her:
http://www.phantomf4k.org/images/phocagallery/892_Sqn_Disembarked_Feb_1975/thumbs/phoca_thumb_l_892sqd_xv592_nas_ceciel_field_26feb75__hze.jpg

XV592 at NAS Cecil Field 26 Feb 1975 archive Günter Grondstein.

Or this:

http://www.phantomf4k.org/images/phocagallery/End_of_the_Line_for_Tailhookers/thumbs/phoca_thumb_l_xv589_sta_27_11_78_wkq.jpg

XV589/005 Lands after its last RN Flight. The RN delivers its F-4Ks to RAF St Athan for handing over to the inventory of the RAF. Archive John Hale 27th November 1978.

http://www.phantomf4k.org/

[Rhino power]

Coff, I've seen XV587, XV589 and XV592 carrying the 005 modex, the dates on the photos and the date of publication of your picture suggest XV592, as noted by, Minnie Burner, as the likely candidate, but that's not 100%... ;)

-RP

[Minnie Burner]

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/5/4/1/1332145.jpg

[CoffmanStarter]

Many thanks chaps ... Hopefully we will hear from one of the crew in the TCS pic shortly :ok:

[Minnie Burner]

If you're squeamish, dinny loook:












http://www.urbanghostsmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/phantom-f-4k-fg1-scrap-leuchars-glasgow.jpg

[Dan Gerous]

:{:{:{:{:{:{:{:{

[MPN11]

AAARRRGGGHHHHHHHH

[Blaenffynnon]

I might be +24 Hrs on this one ... But thought there might be some interest :ok:

The image comes from the Telegraph CS dated 3rd Oct 1976. Whilst the cockpit names may not reflect the crews actually flying in the pic ... at a guess it looks like a Lt J. I. Nocton (or Mocton) and Lt. A. T. Davies on 006 ... not able to make out 005 names.

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af162/CoffmanStarter/IMG_1369_zpsw158uejo.jpg

Image Credit : Telegraph Magazine

Anyone know the crews or would like to own up to being the crews ;)

Best ...

Coff.
The name on 006 are Lt T J I Hooton and Lt A T Davies. Not sure about 005. The 006 driver on that particular sortie was Nutty Walters , I think.

[CoffmanStarter]

Welcome Blaenffynnon ...

Many thanks for your contribution. Our good friend Tarantonight has a lead he is currently following up with respect to Lt. Davies.

Do you know if 'Nutty' Walters (sorry for any innocent impertinence) and/or Lt. Hooton are contactable ? ... it would be really great if they could join us on the thread and perhaps fill in a bit of background :ok:

Best regards ...

Coff.

PS. TN ... Possibly our first 'Eureka' moment ;)

[tarantonight]

Coff,


Could well be......................