The Phantom is just too old by 2020 standards.
Ping!
Love the F-4, such an iconic plane!
I recall witnessing in DaNang airbase two F-4, wingtip to wingtip, taking off like, truly, a bat out of Hell. The noise was spectacular and the fire from their anus burned red hot. It is a scene I shall never forget.
BOY, were they loud!
saw one take off and go straight the F up!
awesome
Hell no. Buy a US product off the line like everybody else yah damn merchantilists.
Le Sled
Meanest looking plane ever. I remember back in the late 60’s those babies flying over my house, since my house was near the flight line of McConnel AFB in Wichita.
Collings Foundation flies a Phantom at airshows occasionally.
Check their schedule or contact them:
https://www.collingsfoundation.org/aircrafts/?tab=tab-four
You can fly in it too. Rather pricey but...when in history will you get another chance?
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.
Yep, worked on the flight line in Aviano Italy (76-78) and they were always flying in and out. And yes, loud as hell:-)
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.
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.