F4s Over Cheltenham Yesterday?

[midsomerjambo]

OK, I know that sounds a bit silly, but sitting at my desk I heard a some fairly loud jet noise yesterday afternoon and popped out of the office (at an aerospace company in Bishops Cleeve) to see what it was. I saw a couple of aircraft one of which was I think a King Air at around 5,000' (maybe higher). The other looked to my (admittedly far from perfect) eyes like an F-4. They flew over slowly in a loose formation in the direction of Staverton airport then did a 180 and were joined from the east by another 3 aircraft, 2 of which looked like Hawks and the other which appeared to be another F-4. All 5 then departed in the rough direction of Brize. Did I dream this or can anyone shed any light on it?

Regards, MSJ

[Jumping_Jack]

A Greek F4 is due at RIAT this year so your eyes may have been correct!

[Planet Basher]

RIAT, F4 is I believe Greek.

I'm off there shortly to help with traffic control.

[Evanelpus]

You were cheated, there should have been 2 of them, both bound for Fairford!

I believe the support aircraft went to Brize.

[midsomerjambo]

Ahhh...I must admit I really thought my eyes deceived me as I didn't realise there were any still in service but it turns out there are still quite a few (Greece, Turkey, Japan, Iran, S. Korea). You can't keep a good aircraft down ;)

[Rhino power]

I didn't realise there were any still in service but it turns out there are still quite a few (Greece, Turkey, Japan, Iran, S. Korea). You can't keep a good aircraft down ;)

Don't forget the USAF... ;)

-RP

[collbar]

there was 2 mighty tombs in the sky!!!

ahh the memories!!!

I assume they were descending into Fairford... thought I saw a C-130 with them too!

[hoss183]

Are we talking about Viet'nam or Chelt'nam ? ;)

[Melchett01]

Don't forget the USAF... ;)

-RP

I forget which magazine I saw it in, browsing whilst in a queue at WH Smiths very recently, but there's quite a good article on the last USAF F4 sqn, 82 Target Sqn IIRC. Looked quite an interesting read, especially as it seemed to suggest these are now flown as single seaters.

[midsomerjambo]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/82d_Aerial_Targets_Squadron

[Rhino power]

21 QF-4E's left at Holloman AFB, all belong to the 82nd ATRS/53rd WEG, only around 8 or 9 are now used for manned ops, the rest are all pure drones. They are scheduled to finish in December this year, assuming that the 'Zombie Viper' QF-16's are up to speed, but I understand there is still some teething problems with the QF-16's, so who knows, maybe they'll soldier on for a short while longer...

-RP

[Martin the Martian]

Two Greek F-4Es touched down at Fairford yesterday.

[RAFEngO74to09]

Greek AF Phantoms arriving at RIAT 2016:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXEgP5KsKJE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OwtVpV4mvM

[gr4techie]

Greek AF Phantoms arriving at RIAT 2016:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXEgP5KsKJE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OwtVpV4mvM

Until I saw these videos I never knew some F-16s had conformal tanks above the fuselage. Learn something new every day.

[Wageslave]

there was 2 mighty tombs in the sky!!!

For the sake of their crews I sincerely hope you are wrong...

Oops! What an unfortunately worded mistake!

[RAFEngO74to09]

gr4techie

F-16C Block 50 onwards for Greece, Israel and UAE have had the capability since 2004. 50% more fuel than a centerline tank but only 12% of the drag.

Conformal Fuel Tanks for F-16 (http://defense-update.com/products/c/F-16-CFT.htm)

Polish aircraft here:

http://www.jetwashaviationphotos.com/siteimages/4077%20Poznan%208-5-08.jpg

[matspart3]

2 x Greek F4's and 2 Greek F16's photoshoot prior to RIAT arrivals. Camera ship was a Beech 99 operating from Staverton. I was in the RHS :) Link to Facebook photos.... https://www.facebook.com/175620062644054/photos/pcb.492385404300850/492384784300912/?type=3&theater

[Rhino power]

*UPDATE*

20 QF-4E's left at Holloman now.
74-1626 (AF-309) was 'expended' today... :sad:

-RP

[Alber Ratman]

One of your bunty mates has been splashing photos of them all over Facebook.. :)

[brokenlink]

My son (one of the ATC cadet helpers) took a nice shot of one of the F4s on the ground last night, will try and post later.

[RAFEngO74to09]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cmtaq9yWYAALqA0.jpgGreek