Photos F-4 Phantom II Paradise
- Thread starter BravoZulu
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It's such a formidable looking aircraft. I guess you'd have to be old enough to understand why they came to call it ugly in the 60's and 70's.
@bdpopeye Just out of curiosity, do you happen to know why and when the USN and USMC ceased applying those colourful paint jobs to their aircraft? Cheers!
@bdpopeye Just out of curiosity, do you happen to know why and when the USN and USMC ceased applying those colourful paint jobs to their aircraft? Cheers!
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Yes I do. In 1975 before Operations Eagle Pull in Frequent Wind was the start. The reason given was that enemy radar could pick up the fantastic paint schemes because of their reflectivity. True or no I don't know....The vintage paint schemes lasted until the early 80s.
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We still have the CAG birds. But compared to Hellenic and Japanese air forces our special paint schemes look rather tame.
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Exactly. I was an AO for 11 years then a PR for nine years. A pilot that once flew Phantoms and then transitioned to Tomcats told me ..Flying a Phantom was like driving a truck compared to Flying a Tomcat which was like driving a sports car. Both had the speed..but the Tomcat was much more capable.
330-PS-9903 (428-GX-USN 710625) by Photograph Curator, on Flickr
U.S. Navy’s newest and fastest aircraft, the F4H “Phantom II”, makes its first carrier landing on board USS Independence (CVA 62), 15 February 1960. Piloted by Lieutenant Commander Paul Spencer, USN, the McDonnell “Phantom II” was catapulted from the Independence and landed 15 minutes later. The Phantom II flies more than twice the speed of sound and has the longest range of any Navy fighter.
428-GX-K-113545 by Photograph Curator, on Flickr
Naval Air Station, Miramar, San Diego, California. A Bicentennial paint scheme on the tail of a Fighter Squadron 111, VF-111, F-4 “Phantom II” fighter aircraft from USS Coral Sea (CV 43). Photographed April 1976. U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
428-GX-K-112658 by Photograph Curator, on Flickr
Pacific Missile Test Center, Point Mugu, California. A parked Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Four, VX-4, F-4J “Phantom II” fighter painted for the Bicentennial. Photographed February 1976. U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
428-K-98293 by Photograph Curator, on Flickr
Three Fighter Squadron 161 (VF-161) F-4D Phantom II fighter aircraft from USS Midway (CVA-41) and three Corsair II attack aircraft from USS America (CVA 66) drop Loran Bombs during a strike mission, 1973. Photographed by Lieutenant Fred P. Leonar
Thanks for the reply Mr Popeye. You went from BB stacker to rigger? There has to be a story there
Hope I'm not offending.
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Japanese RF-4E Phantoms Have Just Carried Out Their Last Flight
On Mar. 9, 2020, the Japan Air Self Defense Force retired its RF-4E/J reconnaissance aircraft at Hyakuri Air Base, in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Assigned to the 501 Hikotai or Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, the “Photo Phantoms” made their last training sortie and all the unit’s Phantoms, with their peculiar sharkmouth, the unit’s woodpecker mark on the tail and the three camo schemes (European, Vietnam and Blue offshore camouflage) were eventually retired.
theaviationist.com
On Mar. 9, 2020, the Japan Air Self Defense Force retired its RF-4E/J reconnaissance aircraft at Hyakuri Air Base, in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Assigned to the 501 Hikotai or Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, the “Photo Phantoms” made their last training sortie and all the unit’s Phantoms, with their peculiar sharkmouth, the unit’s woodpecker mark on the tail and the three camo schemes (European, Vietnam and Blue offshore camouflage) were eventually retired.
Japanese RF-4E Phantoms Have Just Carried Out Their Last Flight
Japan retires its last Photo Phantoms. On Mar. 9, 2020, the Japan Air Self Defense Force retired its RF-4E/J reconnaissance aircraft at Hyakuri Air Base,
theaviationist.com
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Thanks for the reply Mr Popeye. You went from BB stacker to rigger? There has to be a story there
No offense at all! I had to change my rate because my eyesight went south and I could not work on the roof any more...I do see fine...
If you like "Steppenwolf" you will like this video..A little "Magic Carpet Ride"...Not all Phantoms but a good look at flight deck action in the early 70s off Vietnam. a BB stackers paradise...Note the weapons loads on the aircraft being launched..
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More US Navy Phantoms. Some with Bi-Centennial(1776-1976) paint schemes.
428-GX-K-113545 by Photograph Curator, on Flickr
Naval Air Station, Miramar, San Diego, California. A Bicentennial paint scheme on the tail of a Fighter Squadron 111 "Sundowners", F-4 “Phantom II” fighter aircraft from USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA 42). Photographed April 1976. U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
428-GX-K-112658 by Photograph Curator, on Flickr
Pacific Missile Test Center, Point Mugu, California. A parked Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Four, VX-4, F-4J “Phantom II” fighter painted for the Bicentennial. Photographed February 1976. U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
428GX-K31659 by Photograph Curator, on Flickr
Armed with bombs, two F-4B “Phantom II” fighters of VF 92 "Silver Kings" based on board USS Enterprise (CVAN 65) fly toward target in Vietnam. Photographed by PHC Pierce, April 1966.
F-4 Phantom II by James Christensen, on Flickr
F-4 Phantom II of VF-154 "Black Knights" launching from the angle-deck on the USS Coral Sea, 1983.
428-GX-K-113545 by Photograph Curator, on FlickrNaval Air Station, Miramar, San Diego, California. A Bicentennial paint scheme on the tail of a Fighter Squadron 111 "Sundowners", F-4 “Phantom II” fighter aircraft from USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA 42). Photographed April 1976. U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
428-GX-K-112658 by Photograph Curator, on FlickrPacific Missile Test Center, Point Mugu, California. A parked Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Four, VX-4, F-4J “Phantom II” fighter painted for the Bicentennial. Photographed February 1976. U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
428GX-K31659 by Photograph Curator, on FlickrArmed with bombs, two F-4B “Phantom II” fighters of VF 92 "Silver Kings" based on board USS Enterprise (CVAN 65) fly toward target in Vietnam. Photographed by PHC Pierce, April 1966.
F-4 Phantom II by James Christensen, on FlickrF-4 Phantom II of VF-154 "Black Knights" launching from the angle-deck on the USS Coral Sea, 1983.
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Captions by Jim Leslie on flickr
These F-4Ns of the Sundowners of VF-111 were photographed at their home base, NAS Miramar, following their return from deployment to the Western Pacific on 02 July 1975. At this time, VF-111 was a member of Carrier Air Wing 15 (CVW-15) which was then assigned to the USS Coral Sea (CV-43). Unfortunately, the squadron was disestablished on 31 March 1995.As an aside, this paint scheme on the F-4 is my all-time favorite. It just fits the look of the aircraft perfectly.
This Phantom of the Tomcatters of VF-31 was photographed at its home base, NAS Oceana, in May 1977. The aircraft was departing to visit the local bombing range. This particular aircraft was that of the commanding officer and is carrying Mk 76 practice bombs. At that time, VF-31 was a member of Carrier Air Wing 3 which was assigned to the USS Saratoga (CV-60).
This F-4J of the Tarsiers of VF-33 was photographed at its home base, NAS Oceana, in March 1977. The squadron was a member of Carrier Air Wing 7, then attached to the USS Independence (CV-62).
This particular F-4 was the VF-33's CAG aircraft with the modex of AJ-200.
This bicentennial marked Phantom from the Grim Reapers of VF-101 was photographed while visiting NAS Miramar in July 1976. The squadron was home based at NAS Oceana and was tasked at time to provide east coast F-4 aircrew and maintenance personnel to Atlantic Fleet squadrons.
This F-4J of the Satan's Kittens of VF-191 was photographed at its home base, NAS Miramar, in August 1976. At that time, the squadron was a member of Carrier Air Wing 15 which was assigned to the USS Coral Sea (CV-43). The F-4J was received in 1976 following VF-191's final cruise in the F-8J aboard the USS Oriskany (CV-34). The squadron only made one cruise with the F-4 and was disestablished on 01 March 1978.
This Phantom of the Screaming Eagles of VF-51 was photographed at its home base, NAS Miramar, in May 1976. This particular F-4 was the commanding officer's aircraft. At that time, the squadron was a member of Carrier Air Wing 19 (CVW-19) which was assigned to the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42). This was an unusual pairing of this particular airwing as it's a west coast air wing assigned to an east coast ship. In addition, this was to be the last cruise of the FDR which was decommissioned in 1977. VF-51 transitioned into the F-14A in 1978 and continued with this aircraft type until being disestablished on 31 March 1995.
This Phantom from the Sluggers of VF-103 was photographed on final to its home base, NAS Oceana, in April 1977. At that time, the squadron was a member of Carrier Air Wing 3 (CVW-3) which was assigned to the USS Saratoga (CV-60).
These F-4Ns of the Sundowners of VF-111 were photographed at their home base, NAS Miramar, following their return from deployment to the Western Pacific on 02 July 1975. At this time, VF-111 was a member of Carrier Air Wing 15 (CVW-15) which was then assigned to the USS Coral Sea (CV-43). Unfortunately, the squadron was disestablished on 31 March 1995.As an aside, this paint scheme on the F-4 is my all-time favorite. It just fits the look of the aircraft perfectly.
This Phantom of the Tomcatters of VF-31 was photographed at its home base, NAS Oceana, in May 1977. The aircraft was departing to visit the local bombing range. This particular aircraft was that of the commanding officer and is carrying Mk 76 practice bombs. At that time, VF-31 was a member of Carrier Air Wing 3 which was assigned to the USS Saratoga (CV-60).
This F-4J of the Tarsiers of VF-33 was photographed at its home base, NAS Oceana, in March 1977. The squadron was a member of Carrier Air Wing 7, then attached to the USS Independence (CV-62).
This particular F-4 was the VF-33's CAG aircraft with the modex of AJ-200.
This bicentennial marked Phantom from the Grim Reapers of VF-101 was photographed while visiting NAS Miramar in July 1976. The squadron was home based at NAS Oceana and was tasked at time to provide east coast F-4 aircrew and maintenance personnel to Atlantic Fleet squadrons.
This F-4J of the Satan's Kittens of VF-191 was photographed at its home base, NAS Miramar, in August 1976. At that time, the squadron was a member of Carrier Air Wing 15 which was assigned to the USS Coral Sea (CV-43). The F-4J was received in 1976 following VF-191's final cruise in the F-8J aboard the USS Oriskany (CV-34). The squadron only made one cruise with the F-4 and was disestablished on 01 March 1978.
This Phantom of the Screaming Eagles of VF-51 was photographed at its home base, NAS Miramar, in May 1976. This particular F-4 was the commanding officer's aircraft. At that time, the squadron was a member of Carrier Air Wing 19 (CVW-19) which was assigned to the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42). This was an unusual pairing of this particular airwing as it's a west coast air wing assigned to an east coast ship. In addition, this was to be the last cruise of the FDR which was decommissioned in 1977. VF-51 transitioned into the F-14A in 1978 and continued with this aircraft type until being disestablished on 31 March 1995.
This Phantom from the Sluggers of VF-103 was photographed on final to its home base, NAS Oceana, in April 1977. At that time, the squadron was a member of Carrier Air Wing 3 (CVW-3) which was assigned to the USS Saratoga (CV-60).
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