Phantom Friday
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!).
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
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: East Sussex UK
Age: 65
Posts: 6,995
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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
It's the additional side stories, like yours, that bring the headline event to life ... The SAR 'cover' being very important
Originally Posted by CoffmanStarter
OK MB you've grabbed my attention ... Spill the beans
A more recent photo of ZE352
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Leicestershire, England
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
-RP
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
(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
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Leicestershire, England
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is a link with the on-going story!
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
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
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
Age: 78
Posts: 7,548
Received 44 Likes
on
22 Posts
Was the 2nd seat an after-thought? Or was the prototype built differently?
Ahhh ... Wiki explains that, and much more.
Ahhh ... Wiki explains that, and much more.
the canopy was reworked to improve visibility and make the rear cockpit less claustrophobic.
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Leicestershire, England
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
-RP
