Phantom Phriday
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Llantwit Fardre, South Wales
Hi All, this is my first post on Prune! I'm a very lowly ppl and aviation enthusiast but I wanted to contribute to this great thread.
In 1984, I wrote to RAF Leuchars asking if I could go for a flight in a Phantom. Obvious answer, er no!! However, I was invited by the station PRO to visit the station. I did so on 15 August 1984 and had a fantastic few hours, visiting the crew room and QRA shed and aprons, where I was allowed to take photographs - mostly what I wished, apart from in particular close ups of the cockpits of 2 Harriers that were there. I had a reasonable 35mm film camera (Pentax KX) but somewhat inferior to what I now have. I have scanned 2 images from some old photographs that I hope you will like. Being able to sit in the cockpit of one and photograph the crew strapping in and starting up the adjacent jet is something that I will never forget! So thanks again to the RAF and of course the PRO
I am a bit worried that the scanned images are going to be rather small in size but we'll see.
Phantom in QRA Shed 150884 1.jpeg
Phantom Crew 150884.jpeg
In 1984, I wrote to RAF Leuchars asking if I could go for a flight in a Phantom. Obvious answer, er no!! However, I was invited by the station PRO to visit the station. I did so on 15 August 1984 and had a fantastic few hours, visiting the crew room and QRA shed and aprons, where I was allowed to take photographs - mostly what I wished, apart from in particular close ups of the cockpits of 2 Harriers that were there. I had a reasonable 35mm film camera (Pentax KX) but somewhat inferior to what I now have. I have scanned 2 images from some old photographs that I hope you will like. Being able to sit in the cockpit of one and photograph the crew strapping in and starting up the adjacent jet is something that I will never forget! So thanks again to the RAF and of course the PRO
I am a bit worried that the scanned images are going to be rather small in size but we'll see.Phantom in QRA Shed 150884 1.jpeg
Phantom Crew 150884.jpeg
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 11
From: South East of Penge
If I may make a comment on the book "Phantom Boys" . Like all of this series it is excellent and many of us will know the characters and incidents so well reported. My only regret is that it seems to be dominated by the AD guys. 6 and 41( in particular) are ignored ,although they deployed to Cyprus in '74 to face off the Turkish invasion. 41 swept the board in RAF competitions in '75 ( and come to think of it 2 Squadron don't feature much either).
Last edited by Haraka; 25th July 2016 at 10:16.
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Sydney
A second Harrier Boys is due out in a few days so it's possible a second Phantom Boys may appear. Not many stories from RN aircrew either so add them in with 6 and 41 then you have enough for another book.
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 204
Likes: 41
From: Maryland, USA
Got J79?
Some pretty nice helmet cam and ground-based video of two F-4s arriving at Oshkosh this week:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVfUtgABNbM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40fY2IC-RLU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVfUtgABNbM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40fY2IC-RLU
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 794
Likes: 52
From: EGLD
Thanks Vzlet. Those Phantoms are all due to be demilled, rendered unflyable and sent to a bombing range soon. Such a shame, I well remember watching F-4 TACEVAL airfield attacks from my bedroom window at Odiham, and catching the occasional glimpse of RAF and German F-4s through the trees while visiting Rhinedalen as a kid.
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 1
From: Leicestershire, England
This Friday's offering comes in the form of the story of 'FANGO 45', an Idaho ANG RF-4C that found itself in a spot of bother (took a 20lb Tundra Swan through a windscreen side-panel) during a twilight low-level sortie, and the help rendered by another Idaho RF-4C crew, 'FANGO 43'.
An interesting read...
The amazing rescue of Fango 45 - Flight Journal
-RP
An interesting read...
The amazing rescue of Fango 45 - Flight Journal
-RP
Joined: Jun 2002
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 7,177
Likes: 297
From: Nanaimo (CAC8)
I was at Oskosh and saw the two QF-4s arrive and then give a display later in the airshow. Note that the back seats have been removed.
Very nice displays although they didn't do a low and slow blown-flap pass, which was my favourite Phantom display. One of them had a very weak afterburner. What would cause that?
As Vzlet posted, there are some nice Youtube videos. I particularly like the helmet-cam one, as I spotted my tent during one of the cross-wind legs!
Note the Garmin GPS in the centre of the panel.
Very nice displays although they didn't do a low and slow blown-flap pass, which was my favourite Phantom display. One of them had a very weak afterburner. What would cause that?
As Vzlet posted, there are some nice Youtube videos. I particularly like the helmet-cam one, as I spotted my tent during one of the cross-wind legs!
Note the Garmin GPS in the centre of the panel.
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 674
Likes: 0
From: UK East Anglia
If any of you get the chance I would thoroughly recommend Richard Graham lecture on the Wild Weasels. we had him at Cambridge RAeS last night. Some of you will know Rich from the SR71. He spoke last night about his time in Vietnam. I understand he is in the UK for a few weeks yet. You may catch him at Duxford under the SR71.
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,110
Likes: 291
From: Nevada, USA
QF-4E - Final Appearance At Aviation Nation - Nellis AFB
The QF-4E made it's final appearance at the Nellis AFB's Aviation Nation - my "local" airshow - this last weekend.
Video by the excellent videographer spencerhughes2255 - start taxy and flying from 3:38
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TtxTF9BHKM
Video by the excellent videographer spencerhughes2255 - start taxy and flying from 3:38
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TtxTF9BHKM
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 714
Likes: 61
From: Great yarmouth, Norfolk UK
Hot news for modellers!
Airfix have just announced that they will be producing a 1/72 Spey powered Phantom in 2017. Best information to hand suggests it will be the FG 1 and due out around October '17. Just in time for Christmas!
Hopefully they will also release it as the FGR 2 later, as there is a much wider selection of colours and units available with that version. In any event, the new Airfix kits are superb, so the old girl may finally be give plastic justice.
I know Fujimi did both versions 20 or so years ago. Sadly these kits are very rare and you need a second mortgage to buy them....
Start counting down Chaps!!
Hopefully they will also release it as the FGR 2 later, as there is a much wider selection of colours and units available with that version. In any event, the new Airfix kits are superb, so the old girl may finally be give plastic justice.
I know Fujimi did both versions 20 or so years ago. Sadly these kits are very rare and you need a second mortgage to buy them....
Start counting down Chaps!!
Joined: Jun 2002
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 7,177
Likes: 297
From: Nanaimo (CAC8)
EngO,
Great find - I like the RT call - "Jedi Transition"
Star Wars Canyon is actually Rainbow Canyon alongside Highway 190 as it climbs out of the Panamint Valley (west of Death Valley). The best vantage point is the Father Crowley Lookout. If you are visiting Death Valley, it's well worth the trip west to spend some time at the Lookout - take a lunch (and plenty of water) and watch for the high-speed passes. Best not to do this in the summer.
More information and some great videos here:
The Jedi Transition: A Canyon That Fighter Pilots Love To Scream Through
If you are feeling adventurous, you can hike the canyon, but it requires four rappels/abseils!
Rainbow Canyon, Death Valley - Christopher E. Brennen
Great find - I like the RT call - "Jedi Transition"
Star Wars Canyon is actually Rainbow Canyon alongside Highway 190 as it climbs out of the Panamint Valley (west of Death Valley). The best vantage point is the Father Crowley Lookout. If you are visiting Death Valley, it's well worth the trip west to spend some time at the Lookout - take a lunch (and plenty of water) and watch for the high-speed passes. Best not to do this in the summer.
More information and some great videos here:
The Jedi Transition: A Canyon That Fighter Pilots Love To Scream Through
If you are feeling adventurous, you can hike the canyon, but it requires four rappels/abseils!
Rainbow Canyon, Death Valley - Christopher E. Brennen
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,110
Likes: 291
From: Nevada, USA
India Four Two,
Thanks - I'll check that out sometime.
More of the QF-4E at Star Wars Canyon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvV1gIrZWpY
QF-4E flying at Holloman AFB: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjZE5ZzFwNo
Thanks - I'll check that out sometime.
More of the QF-4E at Star Wars Canyon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvV1gIrZWpY
QF-4E flying at Holloman AFB: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjZE5ZzFwNo
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,609
Likes: 0
From: London, New York, Paris, Moscow.
A bit OT perhaps, but what was everybody's fav scheme? I do like the Asian camo scheme on that second toom BUT for me it has to be the European 1 lizard (?) scheme, boy it looked MEAN in typical wet dingy winter weather (and of course I can't now find an appropriate image...)
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,798
Likes: 74
From: One Three Seven, Disco Heaven.
Best RAF one for me was the 43 Sqn jet, (XV571?), that had 4 large black and white checks and a large fighting cock on the tail. Only saw it once fighting with a Sea Harrier over the borders, never photographed it. Best one I photographed was a 57FIS from Rekyavik that visited Lossie late 70's and it had the Asian scheme and the tail was Black and White checks.
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 1
From: Leicestershire, England
Favourite camo scheme(s) for me are...
Euro 1 (Lizard)
( © Unknown/Via Aeroslides/Peter Greengrass Collection )
Closely followed by RAF Grey/Green
( © Wieland Stolze )
Closely followed by SEA Wraparound with low-viz national insignia
( © Thomas Westhoff-Düppmann )
-RP
Euro 1 (Lizard)
( © Unknown/Via Aeroslides/Peter Greengrass Collection )
Closely followed by RAF Grey/Green
( © Wieland Stolze )
Closely followed by SEA Wraparound with low-viz national insignia
( © Thomas Westhoff-Düppmann )
-RP
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,609
Likes: 0
From: London, New York, Paris, Moscow.
OT-May make some spit. lol
I don't think it takes too much imagination to visualise this from above flying over typical Germany countryside on a driech day..movement or not I think you'd need a reflection or reheat plume to spot it; bit different of it skylines on you mind..
Last edited by glad rag; 26th November 2016 at 15:06.