Phantom Fading Fast

The Strategy Page ^ | 6/26/2010 | The Strategy Page

[GeronL]

Sounds quite formidable

[historyrepeatz]

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

[NavyCanDo]

Nothing was like being between two of them on the bow cats when the afterburners kicked in. Man that was loud.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

It is one hell of a plane. During the Vietnam War, the Phantom claimed 280 air kills more than any fighter in the war.

[Talisker]

[Islander7]

I have a serious hearing loss due to the F-4, but I would not trade my years in uniform for anything.

Under full afterburner, these things were LOUD!

[hoagy62]

If memory serves, the Phantom was the biggest plane the USAF Thunderbirds ever flew. I remember as a child seeing the T-Birds fly these monsters. I also remember that T-Bird #4 (slot) had his rudder painted black because of the exhaust from #1 (lead).

[Deagle]

Never did like that plane! It was a slow, underpowered, monstrosity just waiting for faster or more limber jets to shoot it down. It is a good thing to finally get rid of...

[Conservative Vermont Vet]

Anyone who has ever heard the high-pitch, "screech" of a Phantom, especially for the 1st time, will never forget it.

My experience was while I was working as a Crew Chief (on big "Old Shaky's" --C-124's Globemasters) at Hickam AFB, in Hawaii in 1965.

I don't remember the time of day, though it was day time and a few of us heard this ungodly noise long before we saw them and from the flight line, we scanned the skies wondering what was the source.

A formation of (I think) about 12 - 16 Phantoms appeared and flew over the base as they went into a landing pattern.

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT!

Saw many after that and even more during my 18-months tour in Nam.

I imagine that these great war birds were even more a beautiful sight for the guys on the ground when in trouble and having called in air support.

God Bless our Military, and
God Bless America!

[alfa6]

A few more pics for the post

Back when it was the F4H :-)

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[Red_Devil 232]

I worked on the F-4J Phantom - Marines VMFA-232 Red Devils. Electronic Counter Measures and Com/Nav.

[Red_Devil 232]

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

I really like those photos

[alfa6]

Glad to be of service :-)

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[Feckless]

The "Led Sled", probably one of the most beautiful post-propeller fighters in the world.

There was a squadron of them (NJ Air Guard) at McGuire AFB in the late 80's when my wife was a Drill Sgt. Due to inane restrictions they could not take off over Ft Dix so they stood on their tails and thundered straight up at the border fence. An awesome sight/sound. When the noise faded the wife would tell her young troops "If I had one, it would be rock hard right now!"

[real saxophonist]

Grew up in Valdosta GA. At the time Moody AFB had Phantoms, and they flew over my house all the time.

[joe fonebone]

F4 Phantom........physical proof that if you put big enough engines in a brick it will fly...

[ops33]

I spent most of my career in the AF as an air traffic controller. Quite a lot of that was spent working F-4’s in a GCA van. They were not the easiest aircraft to line up on final during a PAR approach.