Phantom Phriday
Joined: Dec 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Military
Posts: 880
Likes: 38
From: Once a Squirrel Heaven (or hell!), Shropshire UK
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
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 331
From: Royal Berkshire
Originally Posted by CoffmanStarter
OK MB you've grabbed my attention ... Spill the beans
A more recent photo of ZE352
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 1
From: Leicestershire, England
-RP
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 1
From: Leicestershire, England
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
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 1
From: Leicestershire, England
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 1
From: Leicestershire, England
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