Military Aviation A forum for the professionals who fly military hardware. Also for the backroom boys and girls who support the flying and maintain the equipment, and without whom nothing would ever leave the ground. All armies, navies and air forces of the world equally welcome here.

Phantom Friday

Old 20th May 2016, 07:49
  #541 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Once a Squirrel Heaven (or hell!), Shropshire UK
Posts: 831
Received 7 Likes on 4 Posts
CS - re the UK- Singapore record.

We called it SAR escort; went West from Changi, then turned round and came back so as to 'allow' the F-4s to pass overhead, as we were down about 2000ft, and they proceeded on their merry way to Tengah. I covered the second pair - our sortie was almost as long as their time from the UK - but at least we had Honkers Stew and a toilet!

Shortly afterwards a Boeing 707 (I think from Singapore Airlines) beat the record as well, but wasn't trumpeted quite as loudly.

Sorry; should have added airborne SAR cover for transiting fast jets over both Indian Ocean was a fairly standard task. The Indian ocean was covered by Shacks from Sharjah and Gan, whilst we took them from roughly mid point Gan to Singapore - the idea being if anything did go wrong any one of us could be on scene relatively quickly. The Singapore - Autralia route was less often covered, and more normally for Royal Flights (on one occasion we covered Prince Charles trip to Darwin - we left Changi 2 hours before he landed there, he passed over us as we were half way, and landed 2 hours after he left. He did at least leave a case of cold beer for us, but unfortunately the Aussies just left the empty bottles!).

Last edited by Shackman; 20th May 2016 at 09:47. Reason: Added info
Shackman is offline  
Old 20th May 2016, 07:58
  #542 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: East Sussex UK
Age: 66
Posts: 6,995
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Thanks for that Shackman

It's the additional side stories, like yours, that bring the headline event to life ... The SAR 'cover' being very important
CoffmanStarter is offline  
Old 20th May 2016, 08:40
  #543 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 240
Received 1 Like on 1 Post



There is a link with the on-going story!
Minnie Burner is offline  
Old 20th May 2016, 09:04
  #544 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: East Sussex UK
Age: 66
Posts: 6,995
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
OK MB you've grabbed my attention ... Spill the beans
CoffmanStarter is offline  
Old 20th May 2016, 12:50
  #545 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Royal Berkshire
Posts: 1,725
Received 76 Likes on 38 Posts
Originally Posted by CoffmanStarter
OK MB you've grabbed my attention ... Spill the beans
My guess is that the Black Bunny F-4 in the photo is the F-4J that became ZE352 in RAF service.....??



A more recent photo of ZE352

GeeRam is offline  
Old 20th May 2016, 13:14
  #546 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Leicestershire, England
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by GeeRam
My guess is that the Black Bunny F-4 in the photo is the F-4J that became ZE352 in RAF service.....??
No, the jet in Minnie Burner's pic (155539) is an F-4S. ZE352 was formerly F-4J 153783, the RAF's F-4J's were brought up to F-4S spec, but minus the leading edge slats.

-RP
Rhino power is offline  
Old 20th May 2016, 13:16
  #547 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Royal Berkshire
Posts: 1,725
Received 76 Likes on 38 Posts
In that case........I'm intrigued as well as to the connection....
GeeRam is offline  
Old 20th May 2016, 14:01
  #548 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Leicestershire, England
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
US Navy F-4's in classic hi-viz/full colour squadron markings...

This weeks offering for your consideration...

(All photos credit & copyright - A.Watanabe)

F-4N 153065/ND-206 - VF-302 'Stallions'
NAS Miramar, August 1975


F-4N 151006/NF-102 - VF-161 'Chargers'
NAF Atsugi, November 1976


F-4J 158351/NE-113 - VF-154 'Black Knights'
NAS Miramar, August 1975


F-4N 150634/NF-207 - VF-151 'Vigilantes'
NAF Atsugi, November 1976


F-4N 150475/NL-213 - VF-111 'Sundowners'
NAS Miramar, August 1975


F-4J 158378/NE-200 - VF-21 'Freelancers'
NAS Miramar, August 1975


-RP
Rhino power is offline  
Old 20th May 2016, 15:16
  #549 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: East Sussex UK
Age: 66
Posts: 6,995
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Rhino ... Pics not showing this end old chap
CoffmanStarter is offline  
Old 20th May 2016, 15:19
  #550 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Leicestershire, England
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by CoffmanStarter
Rhino ... Pics not showing this end old chap
That's weird, I can see them on my pc...

-RP

*edit* - scratch that, just cleared my browser cache and now I can't see them either! Will try again later...

-RP

Last edited by Rhino power; 20th May 2016 at 15:31.
Rhino power is offline  
Old 21st May 2016, 08:18
  #551 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 240
Received 1 Like on 1 Post



There is a link with the on-going story!
OK, it was tenuous. The Tiger II reminded me of the fate of the "FEAF Tiger" subsequent to the Ghost Trail. (And what happened to the 'surplus' F-4Ks).
Minnie Burner is offline  
Old 21st May 2016, 09:15
  #552 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: East Sussex UK
Age: 66
Posts: 6,995
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Thanks for clearing that up MB
CoffmanStarter is offline  
Old 27th May 2016, 08:46
  #553 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: East Anglia
Age: 77
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Trial camouflage?

nipva is offline  
Old 27th May 2016, 09:30
  #554 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Aberdeen
Age: 76
Posts: 206
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by nipva

Told you not to use T-Cut !!!
Geordie_Expat is offline  
Old 27th May 2016, 09:35
  #555 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Leicestershire, England
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I like the hi-tech 'brackets' securing the lighting rig...

-RP
Rhino power is offline  
Old 27th May 2016, 10:24
  #556 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: London
Posts: 627
Received 161 Likes on 88 Posts
I like the hi-tech 'brackets' securing the lighting rig
What's the problem? Solid as a rock!
pasta is online now  
Old 27th May 2016, 22:06
  #557 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Leicestershire, England
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
27th May 1958...

On this day, Bob Little took to the air for the very first time in F4H-1 142295, marking the maiden flight of what was to become the Phantom II and thus, the beginning of the first 58 years of flight of the world's greatest ever Jet fighter!





-RP
Rhino power is offline  
Old 28th May 2016, 06:14
  #558 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: East Sussex UK
Age: 66
Posts: 6,995
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
A fitting tribute RP
CoffmanStarter is offline  
Old 28th May 2016, 09:31
  #559 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
Age: 79
Posts: 7,786
Received 129 Likes on 58 Posts
Was the 2nd seat an after-thought? Or was the prototype built differently?

Ahhh ... Wiki explains that, and much more.
the canopy was reworked to improve visibility and make the rear cockpit less claustrophobic.
MPN11 is offline  
Old 28th May 2016, 09:50
  #560 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Leicestershire, England
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by MPN11
Was the 2nd seat an after-thought? Or was the prototype built differently?
All the prototype F-4's were designed for two seats, but the early jets were only fitted with the pilot's seat. The redesigned canopy (and raised cockpit floor) was as a result of early crews complaining of poor visibility, the revised profile canopy was fitted from aircraft No.19 (Block 3, BuNo 146817).

-RP
Rhino power is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.