Thanks, Coff. Beautiful pics through the letter box, some of the best yet, in fact. Happy days!

'Harry the Ace' and his buddies in their Hercs could provide a very challenging target especially with 9Gs. I recall guys looking out of every window telling where we were so the pilot could keep us on the beam. He was great at low level. Then we would hear, "if you can roll out behind my 3/9 line off the next run, I'll extend the hose." "Er, aren't you going to climb a bit?" "Clear to contact."

Too much fun.

Something quite powerful about those images of sun bleached f4's....

I think that it is laudable that RAF Coningsby are keeping their Gate Guardian in a good state of repair. I was, however, curious to see XT 891 painted in 41 Squadron colours. Whilst I understand the connection with41 Sqn, the ac never served on the Sqn. Equally, the aircraft is in an Air Defence configuration. 41 Sqn, for it’s short and distinguished lifewith the F4 was a Recce Squadron. To my knowledge, I stand to be corrected, I never saw them fly it that configuration.

I believe that the ac should remain in it’s 228 OCU/64(R) Sqncolours. If it is imperative to keep the 41 Sqn colours, at least make the configuration representative.

The aircraft was delivered in July 1968 to the RAF, she was issued to 228 OCU the next month, but moved on to 54 Squadron when theyre-formed with Phantoms. She then passed back to 228 OCU and served with them until 1984 when her crew ejected from the aircraft when it veered off therunway onto the grass due to a nosewheel steering failure. After repair she was returned to the unit but subsequently suffered a fire. The aircraft wasrepaired once more, suffered another fire and finally returned to active service. On retirement she was earmarked for gate guard duties at Coningsby where she had spent most of her flying career. She was repainted in the old camo colours in 1999.

Well, RAFG Battle Flight config to be exact: C44+, IIRC. Loved every minute of my time on F4s, the dog's b××××××s at LLAD in the Central Region. ;)

Yes 27mm,

I agree that the ac is in RAFG Battle Flight Fit. It could of course also be in 64(R) Sqn war fit. My point is that 41 Sqn only operated the Phantom for 4 short years, and that was in the Recce Role. XT 981 spent the majority of it's life on 228/64 Sqn at Coningsby. Although the first few years on 228 OCU involved mud moving, the majority of the life of the unit was teaching Air Defence. It is only fitting that the ac returns to it's rightful 228/64 paint scheme and AD Fit. I'm sure that in time 41 Sqn can compliment the F3 Gate Guardian with a GR4 in a suitable paint scheme.

I find myself agreeing with Dominator. Whilst it's very good to see 891 looking so well presrved, she really should be in 228 / 64 colours. As fine a squadron as 41 were, they never 'owned' 891 and the role fit is not appropriate to them.

I should add, my last F4 trip was in 891 - we had a FIRE light. I still remember the drill.

It's Friday again
 

Friday Phantom of the deep
 

Subic Bay: Vietnam veteran F-4 damaged beyond repair.
http://www.underwaterphotography.com...tion/41419.jpg

http://www.colours.dk/anders/diving/...4/IMG_2432.JPG

http://www.colours.dk/anders/diving/...4/IMG_2443.JPG

http://ih2.redbubble.net/image.24063...x550,075,f.jpg

http://drmike.smugmug.com/Wreck-divi...c2%20108-L.jpg

I think that's more "corroded beyond repair" MB :ok:

Go on, it will buff out...................

In other news ... It's Phantom Friday :ok:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...light_1984.jpg

74 Squadron c. 1984

So let's be having your phinest Phantom photos ...

Oldest Survivor?
 

The third frame built is a little dusty, but destined for a brighter future. Currently at the USMC museum restoration facility in Quantico, VA.

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8099/...173dba3b_c.jpg

A phew phrom my collection. Taken at Coningsby on various dates.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4088/...400c0147_z.jpgIMG_0002 by Janner88, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1383/...80221ab2_z.jpgIMG_0002 by Janner88, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4103/...f37f43bf_z.jpgIMG_0003A by Janner88, on Flickr

Bruggen 1972.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b236/minlgw/xv431.jpg[/URL]

A few from 74 Sqn...
http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/wattish...mflight/06.jpg

http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/wattish...mflight/05.jpg

http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/wattish...mflight/07.jpg

(All copyright, Bob Archer)

-RP

Well the Phantom FGR2 XV499 from leeming that was offered for sale has been scrapped, they have just chopped it up at Hixton..:ugh:

UK PLC has just put the Javelin at Leeming up for sale, one hopes that does not go the same way

https://www.gov.uk/government/public...faw-4-aircraft

Splendid start Gentlemen ... :D

Do we have any pics of the "Can Openers" and 43 perchance ... ;)

Phriday the 13th ... Spooky ... So let's have a few more classic pics :ok:


Image Credit : Unable to assign with certainty : Probably MOD RAF

I make that eighteen ... 1969 228 OCU ... marvellous sight :ok:

Rather nicer weather for this dashed handsome group of Firebirds:


And before some spotter asks, I've no idea why that pylon has a Coningsby marking!

APC RAF Akrotiri August 1982. Can it really have been over 30 years ago?

A typical 3-day trip for the RAF's premier tanker squadron in Oct 1988 when we trailed this pair from 19 Sqn to Red Flag via Goose:


Oct 4th, Brize-Goose; Oct 5th Goose-Lincoln (the F-4s went to Nellis); Oct 6th Lincoln-Brize. I see that my co-pilot on this trip was that genial Irish rogue Ray F Knowles, whose funeral many of us attended yesterday. We flew VC10K3 ZA150, which can currently be seen in the background at Dunsfold near the Top Gear test track.

A good month, Oct 1988: IRE trip on a sqn pilot the day before the trail, 3 AAR trips including night prodding the following week, a sim session, a dining-in night, ODT, an IntO day at Upavon, some secondary role training - and finally another week in the USA. 9 trips and 34 hours - those were the days on 101!

Superb pics BEagle ... Many thanks :ok: