Posted on 03/11/2020 7:30:24 AM PDT by C19fan
Japan shed a little bit of history this week as the last of the countrys RF-4E/J Phantom II reconnaissance jets, part of a fleet that has served for more than 50 years, flew for the last time. The last six recon Phantoms flew for the last time on March 9, and the country will retire its entire Phantom fleet by the end of the year. Meanwhile, Tokyo is pursuing the development of a new fighter jet it will design with help from the U.S..
The six jets, part of the 501 Hikotai squadron, were RF-4 photoreconnaissance variants of the iconic fighter. The 501 Hikotai, based at Hyakuri Air Base north of Tokyo, was famous for adopting the American cartoon character Woody Woodpecker as its mascot, painting the bird on the squadrons vertical stabilizers. According to The Aviationist, which covered Mondays event, the squadron featured jets in three different camouflage styles, including Vietnam, European, and over water (above). Hyakuri Air Base also tweeted a series of gorgeous photos on Twitter:
(Excerpt) Read more at popularmechanics.com ...
Looks like where the wings angle up is more pronounced than normal.
the F4 - proof that if you put a big enough engine on it, anything will fly.
I grew up in Valdosta GA, home of Moody AFB. At the time, they had Phantoms. They have A-10s now. One of their regular routes took them right over my house. Saw (and heard) them all the time.
In fact, one of my teachers at Valdosta High School flew Phantoms in Vietnam. He told a funny story- They were on their way back from a mission, expended all their ordnance. Spotted an enemy convoy on the deck; Having no ammo or bombs, they just dove, hit supersonic (Phantoms could do that), and hit them with a sonic boom.
Worked on avionics on USMC F-4’s in the 70’s. Loved the full afterburner takeoffs.
yeah soemthing looked different, there was a number of photos and several looked wierd- i chose this one- not sure it’s the right one
I mgith have copied the wrong one- got it off yahoo images-
The B-52, like the Tu-95, has been adapted for more than just a strategic bomber. The F-4 was a good plane in its days but now the F-15C/C/E variants are much better for today’s combat environment.
The F-4 also has a very distinct howl from the J79 engines in certain flight regimes.
Yep, worked on the flight line in Aviano Italy (76-78) and they were always flying in and out. And yes, loud as hell:-)
And lets not forget the smoke trail they left in the sky, another signature feature...
Proof they are coal powered.
Love the howl.
You could hear it most often when they throttled back coming in on approach.
Always thought that really made the name ‘Phantom’ work.
Worked on avionics on USMC F-4s in the 70s. Loved the full afterburner takeoffs.
Where were you at? I was working on the F-4’s at MCAS Beaufort about that time for a DOD contractor.
I arrived early for the 1988 Wings Over Houston airshow at Ellington Field. The Air National Guard unit was doing touch and goes with F-4s. I heard that howl.
Nothing in the inventory has ever screamed “Fighter” as much as the Phantom. I have been told the Israeli Air Force dubbed it the Bludgeon. The Blue Angels flew it for one season; the experience of having them do a low pass was unlike any other; the sound vibrated every bone in the body.
Nice youtube video of the sound of the F-4 during various maneuvers.
And ugly and strong as well. In its day, the F-4’s payload, durability, and versatility made it the core of US and allied combat aviation. Like America itself, the F-4 was ready and reliable in a fight, a superpower’s super-fighter. And recognition of the F-4’s faults led to the development of even better American fighters now in service.
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