Phantom Phriday
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: USA
Phantom Memories 1970s
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.
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.
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,110
Likes: 291
From: Nevada, USA
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
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) !
S-06_0.JPG?1379733038)
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
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) !
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 6,992
Likes: 3
From: East Sussex UK
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.
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.
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,061
Likes: 1
From: Wiltshire
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
Smudge
Smudge
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: USA
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.
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.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 573
Likes: 0
From: England
XV470/D from 56 Sqn. Possibly at RAF Alconbury, but I didn't label the photo or record the year. That's an F-111 from RAF Lakenheath on the left by the HAS.
Last edited by P6 Driver; 29th July 2015 at 15:29.