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F4s Over Cheltenham Yesterday?

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F4s Over Cheltenham Yesterday?

Old 7th Jul 2016, 07:43
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F4s Over Cheltenham Yesterday?

OK, I know that sounds a bit silly, but sitting at my desk I heard a some fairly loud jet noise yesterday afternoon and popped out of the office (at an aerospace company in Bishops Cleeve) to see what it was. I saw a couple of aircraft one of which was I think a King Air at around 5,000' (maybe higher). The other looked to my (admittedly far from perfect) eyes like an F-4. They flew over slowly in a loose formation in the direction of Staverton airport then did a 180 and were joined from the east by another 3 aircraft, 2 of which looked like Hawks and the other which appeared to be another F-4. All 5 then departed in the rough direction of Brize. Did I dream this or can anyone shed any light on it?

Regards, MSJ
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Old 7th Jul 2016, 07:51
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A Greek F4 is due at RIAT this year so your eyes may have been correct!
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Old 7th Jul 2016, 07:51
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RIAT, F4 is I believe Greek.

I'm off there shortly to help with traffic control.
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Old 7th Jul 2016, 08:25
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You were cheated, there should have been 2 of them, both bound for Fairford!

I believe the support aircraft went to Brize.
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Old 7th Jul 2016, 08:29
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Ahhh...I must admit I really thought my eyes deceived me as I didn't realise there were any still in service but it turns out there are still quite a few (Greece, Turkey, Japan, Iran, S. Korea). You can't keep a good aircraft down
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Old 7th Jul 2016, 10:10
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Originally Posted by midsomerjambo
I didn't realise there were any still in service but it turns out there are still quite a few (Greece, Turkey, Japan, Iran, S. Korea). You can't keep a good aircraft down
Don't forget the USAF...

-RP
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Old 7th Jul 2016, 10:19
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there was 2 mighty tombs in the sky!!!

ahh the memories!!!

I assume they were descending into Fairford... thought I saw a C-130 with them too!
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Old 7th Jul 2016, 10:52
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Are we talking about Viet'nam or Chelt'nam ?
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Old 7th Jul 2016, 11:20
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Originally Posted by Rhino power
Don't forget the USAF...

-RP
I forget which magazine I saw it in, browsing whilst in a queue at WH Smiths very recently, but there's quite a good article on the last USAF F4 sqn, 82 Target Sqn IIRC. Looked quite an interesting read, especially as it seemed to suggest these are now flown as single seaters.
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Old 7th Jul 2016, 12:02
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/82d_Ae...rgets_Squadron
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Old 7th Jul 2016, 12:10
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21 QF-4E's left at Holloman AFB, all belong to the 82nd ATRS/53rd WEG, only around 8 or 9 are now used for manned ops, the rest are all pure drones. They are scheduled to finish in December this year, assuming that the 'Zombie Viper' QF-16's are up to speed, but I understand there is still some teething problems with the QF-16's, so who knows, maybe they'll soldier on for a short while longer...

-RP
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Old 7th Jul 2016, 12:15
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Two Greek F-4Es touched down at Fairford yesterday.
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Old 7th Jul 2016, 15:29
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Greek AF Phantoms arriving at RIAT 2016:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXEgP5KsKJE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OwtVpV4mvM
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Old 8th Jul 2016, 07:20
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Until I saw these videos I never knew some F-16s had conformal tanks above the fuselage. Learn something new every day.
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Old 8th Jul 2016, 08:51
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there was 2 mighty tombs in the sky!!!
For the sake of their crews I sincerely hope you are wrong...

Oops! What an unfortunately worded mistake!
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Old 8th Jul 2016, 16:25
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Off-Topic Info - F-16 Conformal Tanks

gr4techie

F-16C Block 50 onwards for Greece, Israel and UAE have had the capability since 2004. 50% more fuel than a centerline tank but only 12% of the drag.

Conformal Fuel Tanks for F-16

Polish aircraft here:

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Old 8th Jul 2016, 21:00
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F4's

2 x Greek F4's and 2 Greek F16's photoshoot prior to RIAT arrivals. Camera ship was a Beech 99 operating from Staverton. I was in the RHS Link to Facebook photos.... https://www.facebook.com/175620062644054/photos/pcb.492385404300850/492384784300912/?type=3&theater
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Old 8th Jul 2016, 22:22
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*UPDATE*

20 QF-4E's left at Holloman now.
74-1626 (AF-309) was 'expended' today...

-RP
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Old 8th Jul 2016, 22:32
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One of your bunty mates has been splashing photos of them all over Facebook..
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Old 9th Jul 2016, 08:15
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My son (one of the ATC cadet helpers) took a nice shot of one of the F4s on the ground last night, will try and post later.
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