'CORONET WICHITA' 1986 @ Wildenrath

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BigClick67
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Joined: Thu 26 Mar 2015, 9:53 am
Location: North-Western Germany

'CORONET WICHITA' 1986 @ Wildenrath

Post by BigClick67 »

From 2nd until 16th August, 1986 RAF Wildenrath was hosting a deployment from the Illinois ANG´s 183rd Tactical Fighter Wing/170th TFS. The deployment was named CORONET WICHITA and brought 11 F-4D Phantoms to this RAF Germany base, including examples in either green lizard or the (then new) 2-tone grey European-1 camo scheme. A couple of these are captured below, together with a set of Wildenrath residents. Apart from these beautiful aircraft the absolute highlight of this visit was an appearance by the RAF Police, coming out to the final approach with two Land Rovers, where a crowd of some 50 enthusiasts was expecting the worst (cameras/films/scanners confiscated, fees, lawsuits etc.). Remember, this was the Cold War and spotting was often considered espionage! But NO! The Officers set up a shop and sold squadron merchandize !! Posters, stickers, calendars, badges, everything - fantastic!

#01 F-4D 68-7705/SI 170th TFS/Illinois ANG:
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#02 F-4D 67-7587/SI:
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#03 F-4D 66-7596/SI - note the AGM-65 Maverick missile under the wing!
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#04 F-4D 667648/SI:
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#05 Phantom FGR.2s XV480(X) and XV496(V) from No.92 Squadron in a pairs landing:
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#06 Phantom FGR.2 XV475(Z) No.92 Squadron:
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#07 Phantom FGR.2 XV439(D) No.19 Squadron:
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#08 Phantom FGR.2 XV467(Q) No.92 Squadron:
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#09 Phantom FGR.2 XV430(A) No.19 Squadron:
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#10 Phantom FGR.2 XV475(Z) No.92 Squadron - can anybody identify the pod under the port inner wing station?? Maybe some form of threat emitter?
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#11 Last but not least Pembroke C.1 WV740 from No.60 Squadron:
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I hope these are of interest. As usual, C&C welcome!
Cheers, Chris :biggrin:
Last edited by BigClick67 on Sun 05 Feb 2017, 8:11 am, edited 1 time in total.

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steved
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Location: Abergele, North Wales

Re: 'CORONET WICHITA' 1986 @ Wildenrath

Post by steved »

Great pictures. Love the Pembroke. :clap:

Big Eric
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Re: 'CORONET WICHITA' 1986 @ Wildenrath

Post by Big Eric »

steved wrote:Great pictures. Love the Pembroke. :clap:


Me too, happy days. :smile:

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st24
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Re: 'CORONET WICHITA' 1986 @ Wildenrath

Post by st24 »

Another superb post, top quality stuff. The lizard scheme was "European1", the 2 greys was "Egyptian 1". The pod looks like an ACMI pod on a non standard RAF MER
You caaan't trust the system... Maaan!

Leeflyer
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Re: 'CORONET WICHITA' 1986 @ Wildenrath

Post by Leeflyer »

FANTASTIC

King Cobra
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Re: 'CORONET WICHITA' 1986 @ Wildenrath

Post by King Cobra »

Good old Wildparts. Always pleased to see pictures from there.

Spiny Norman
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Re: 'CORONET WICHITA' 1986 @ Wildenrath

Post by Spiny Norman »

Never too many F-4s from that period, thanks for posting these.

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