Yep I’ve been looking at the video.
The narrator says “there it is” at 3:31 when it fires. Very odd that they try to sneak a test shot in as the real shot that started the fire. Unethical in my opinion.
I’ve been studying the F-4. Looks like red paint... translation VX-9 China Lake weaps test??? and there’s no PC in front of the jet, no jets in front, and he’s right smack dab on the centerline, facing port side I think, and shot lines are visible so it’s forward of CAT 3/4 JBDs at a minimum, indicating it is likely a test fire.
Again, it will never be proven true or false.
I would like to think he didn’t do anything dumb like that, since when you start you can always have people walking in cat walks etc who could be hurt.
It’s neither here nor there. Appreciate your service and all those flight deck guys out there who serve or have served.
Bottom line:
BEST ELECTION EVER.
Yes...BEST! Loving the melting snowflakes!