Posted on 6/27/2010, 6:45:02 AM by ErnstStavroBlofeld
After 41 years, South Korea is retiring the last of its 222 F-4D Phantom fighter-bombers. They (and F-5 fighters) have been replaced, over the last 15 years, by 40 F-15K fighter-bombers and 180 F-16s. The F-4 was a 28 ton, two seat, fighter bomber designed in the 1950s, and about 5,200 were built, mostly in the 1960s and 70s. About ten percent of them are still in service. Replacing the F-4 as a fighter-bomber is the F-15K, which is a customized version of the 36 ton U.S. F-15E (a two seat fighter bomber version of the single seat, 31 ton F-15C fighter). Already in service for twenty years, the F-15E can carry up to 11 tons of bombs and missiles (compared to 8 tons on the F-4), along with a targeting pod and an internal 20mm cannon. It's an all weather aircraft that can fly one-way up to 3,900 kilometers. It uses in-flight refueling to hit targets anywhere on the planet. Smart bombs made the F-15 particularly efficient. The backseater handles the electronics and bombing. The F-15E remains a potent air-superiority fighter, making it an exceptional combat aircraft. This success prompted Israel, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Singapore to buy it, paying about $100 million per aircraft. In the U.S. Air Force, the F-15E is one of the most popular aircraft for combat pilots to fly, even more so than the new F-22.
(Excerpt) Read more at strategypage.com ...
Sounds quite formidable
Nothing was like being between two of them on the bow cats when the afterburners kicked in. Man that was loud.
It is one hell of a plane. During the Vietnam War, the Phantom claimed 280 air kills more than any fighter in the war.
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!
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).
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...
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!
Back when it was the F4H :-)
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
I worked on the F-4J Phantom - Marines VMFA-232 Red Devils. Electronic Counter Measures and Com/Nav.
I really like those photos
Glad to be of service :-)
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
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!"
Grew up in Valdosta GA. At the time Moody AFB had Phantoms, and they flew over my house all the time.
F4 Phantom........physical proof that if you put big enough engines in a brick it will fly...
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.
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