Some Phantoms - quite old ones...

Photos older than five years old (preferably much older)
User avatar
Mad Dan
Posts: 2521
Joined: Mon 01 Sep 2008, 5:06 am
Location: Somewhere in England

Some Phantoms - quite old ones...

Post by Mad Dan »

Another delve into the goodie box has resulted in this selection of Phantoms from a time when the US Navy was definitely into high visibility colour schemes - and applied them to all squadron aircraft, not just one or two, as is the case today. I'm sorry they are all a bit static, but opportunities to shoot them moving didn't come my way too often - more's the pity... Anyway, they are presented in squadron number order, starting with a VF-21 F-4J CAG-bird at Miramar in October 1973.

Image

Next is a VF-31 F-4J at Oceana in October 1978...

Image

VF-33 Oceana August 1975...

Image

VF-51 F-4B at Andrews in September 1972...

Image

By September 1975, VF-51 had transitioned to the F-4N and also modified its colour scheme. This F-4N was caught at Patuxent River...

Image

One month later, I ran into VF-51's F-4N CAG-bird at Miramar...

Image

This VF-92 F-4J was a visitor to Andrews in February 1972...

Image

At home base between cruises, a VF-96 F-4J...

Image

Responsibility for training Atlantic Fleet personnel was assigned to VF-101 at Oceana and one of their F-4Js is seen at home base in August 1975...

Image

The USS America paid a brief visit to Portsmouth at the beginning of October 1974 and featured a complement of aircraft that had been hastily assembled for an exercise. Despite carrying USS Saratoga inscriptions, this F-4J from VF-103 was definitely on the America...

Image

Miramar's 1975 open house featured VF-111's F-4N CAG-bird in the static display...

Image

Two years earlier, in October 1973, a VF-114 F-4J at Miramar...

Image

Also at Miramar in October 1973, this F-4J is assigned to VF-121, which served as the training unit for the Pacific Fleet F-4 community...

Image

Also to be seen amongst more than 100 Navy Phantoms at Miramar in October 1973 was this VF-142 F-4J...

Image

VF-143 was the sister squadron to VF-142 and also operated the F-4J. Although most deployments were made aboard Pacific Fleet carriers, these two units performed their final tour of sea duty in the F-4 era on the USS America with the Atlantic Fleet. They were seen at Miramar shortly after getting home and just before transitioning to the F-14A at Oceana...

Image

Another surprise item on the USS America at Portsmouth in October 1974 was this F-4J from VF-213, which displayed Carrier Air Wing 11 tail code letters and USS Kitty Hawk titles.

Image

Four Navy Reserve squadrons eventually flew variants of the Phantom, including VF-301 which was normally resident at Miramar. One of their F-4Ns is seen in October 1975.

Image

Point Mugu was home to VX-4 which included this F-4J in its varied complement in October 1975.

Image

This was one of two aircraft that were modified to EF-4J standard for service with VAQ-33, which provided ECM training for elements of the fleet. It was photographed at Key West in February 1981...

Image

I'll finish off with a couple from the Naval Air Test Center at Patuxent River. This organisation operated examples of most major sub-types and some of its aircraft were very colourful and also highly modified. Seen at Pax in February 1975, F-4J 153077 features typical high-viz markings of the era and also has a much extended pitot tube.

Image

Finally, retaining its Blue Angels colour scheme, F-4J 153839's new ownership is confirmed by the presence of the NATC badge on the fin. This was also to be seen at Patuxent River in February 1975...

Image
I am not a loony... I used to be, but I think I am better now...

User avatar
jelly
Posts: 317
Joined: Mon 01 Sep 2008, 9:07 am
Location: Essex
Contact:

Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...

Post by jelly »

They are absolutely superb Dan!! :clap: :clap:

Most deffinitely the best era for Navy jets! I have most of these aircraft in decals ready for building, really like the yellow VF-92 and VF-142 birds but the winner has to be the Sundowners machine, corrr! Pity i was only born in 74!

Thanks for sharing them Dan.

Marcus :smile:

User avatar
bigcrow
Posts: 1324
Joined: Sun 31 Aug 2008, 2:43 pm
Location: Worcestershire, U.K
Contact:

Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...

Post by bigcrow »

Superb Lindsey, VF-111 CAG is a beauty... :clap:

User avatar
PhilEAF92
Posts: 741
Joined: Sat 06 Sep 2008, 12:49 am

Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...

Post by PhilEAF92 »

You gotta love the F4, those are fantastic !

User avatar
121decimal5
Posts: 307
Joined: Mon 01 Sep 2008, 6:38 pm
Location: Twickenham

Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...

Post by 121decimal5 »

Those jets are pure pornography! :clap: :clap: :clap: :drool:
You lucky devil!

User avatar
Beefy
Posts: 673
Joined: Mon 01 Sep 2008, 5:04 pm

Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...

Post by Beefy »

121decimal5 wrote:Those jets are pure pornography! :clap: :clap: :clap: :drool:
You lucky devil!


I'll second that, absoulety supurb stuff :clap: :clap: Many thanks for sharing these :biggrin:

User avatar
toom317
UKAR Supporter
Posts: 2013
Joined: Tue 02 Sep 2008, 11:02 am

Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...

Post by toom317 »

Ahhh the mighty Toom. Brilliant post, got any more. :clap:
"Nice pics mate" comments only! No criticism please.

Equipment: Camera, Lens, Goretex Y fronts.

User avatar
snakeman
Posts: 71
Joined: Mon 01 Sep 2008, 9:09 am

Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...

Post by snakeman »

Cracking photos and dare I say it..................Phantoms Phorever !!!! :clap: :clap:
Phantoms Phorever !!!!
www.thephantomshrine.co.uk

User avatar
Red Dragon
Posts: 1721
Joined: Sun 31 Aug 2008, 6:56 pm

Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...

Post by Red Dragon »

:clap: :ghost: not exactly a phoantom, i know! :biggrin: however they are superb, dare i ask, anymore? preferably where they belong, in the air :clap: :clap:

User avatar
M.M.I.2006
Posts: 89
Joined: Thu 04 Sep 2008, 5:55 pm
Location: Sheffield,South Yorkshire.

Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...

Post by M.M.I.2006 »

Thanks for posting,Phantoms are IMHO a great looking aircraft and youre pictures do them great justice.Never seen one flying at an airshow but can vaguely remember seeing them form a distance flying over Skegness back in the 70,s when i was a kid,used to love hearing them roaring over towards the Wash bombing range.(strange the things you remember when promted !!!).

:biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mmi2006/
Sony a77ii
Sony a550
Sony 70-300 SSM G
Sony 70-400 SSM G
Tamron 10-24 Di II

foxfour
Posts: 849
Joined: Sun 31 Aug 2008, 11:48 pm

Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...

Post by foxfour »

For many the Phantom is the holy grail of fast jets, especially in USN markings. You lucky, lucky man to have seen so many from so many different units and thanks a million for sharing them with us.

IanH
Posts: 1482
Joined: Sun 31 Aug 2008, 10:18 pm

Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...

Post by IanH »

What would you give for a Tardis Eccles? Marvellous sir! Still remember bobbing around in a boat on a very choppy sea for one of those deck shots of yours. You could have thrown me a line!

Take care, Ian

User avatar
gary1701
Posts: 480
Joined: Sun 31 Aug 2008, 3:43 pm
Location: Stowmarket, Suffolk

Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...

Post by gary1701 »

Hi,

Lovely stuff, I really wish I'd taken the most of my opportunites to photograph F-4s, even if they weren't as colourful as the USN birds.

Gary
My photo website

My name's Wild Bill Kelso, and don't you forget it! - John Belushi, 1941.

User avatar
KevinJ
Posts: 514
Joined: Sun 31 Aug 2008, 11:50 am

Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...

Post by KevinJ »

Superb set of images Lyndsey, thanks for taking the time to scan and post them.

Vodka
Posts: 1948
Joined: Thu 04 Sep 2008, 3:12 pm

Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...

Post by Vodka »

superb images and great photo record inc. data of the times back when. . .

User avatar
nigelblake
Posts: 2548
Joined: Mon 01 Sep 2008, 4:10 am
Location: Bedfordshire
Contact:

Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...

Post by nigelblake »

Oooh my giddy aunt! totally Phantastic ! :clap: :clap: :clap:

valiant
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat 24 Jan 2009, 7:24 pm

Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...

Post by valiant »

Absolutely awesome, now for a long shot.............Have you got any Vigilante shots?

p-26luvr
Posts: 16
Joined: Wed 18 Feb 2009, 8:48 pm

Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...

Post by p-26luvr »

What a fantastic set of photos of one of my favorite aircraft. Really, I mean,REALLY, REALLY, like those photos. Thanks for showing them. Carl R :clap:

UK_Tomcat_Fan
Posts: 393
Joined: Mon 01 Sep 2008, 2:18 pm
Contact:

Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...

Post by UK_Tomcat_Fan »

WOOOOOOOOOOOW all US Navy Tooms too :biggrin:

Made my day today, specially since most of the images are F-14 Sqns
Martin

Website: My photography

John Eacott
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat 28 Nov 2009, 6:53 am

Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...

Post by John Eacott »

If I can bring this back to the top: some old slides I took about 1974 aboard Ark:

Image

Image

Image

Image

Then there was the USMC F4 that went U/S when we went into Valletta and was comprehensively zapped :grin:

Image

Plenty more.

hedgerowops
Posts: 174
Joined: Sun 31 Aug 2008, 2:07 pm

Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...

Post by hedgerowops »

What a awesome sight that must have been i would like to see more if you don't mind putting them on.
Chris :clap:

User avatar
Westy
Posts: 453
Joined: Mon 01 Sep 2008, 2:32 pm
Location: Essex

Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...

Post by Westy »

John Eacott wrote:some old slides I took about 1974 aboard Ark:


I realise you said "about 1974 " but I have you about 2 years too early. These F4's have the Marconi RWR fitted which I would say dates them nearer to 76/77. Would these dates stack up with you John?

User avatar
st24
Posts: 8176
Joined: Mon 01 Sep 2008, 9:31 am
Location: Sexville

Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...

Post by st24 »

Westy wrote:
John Eacott wrote:some old slides I took about 1974 aboard Ark:


I realise you said "about 1974 " but I have you about 2 years too early. These F4's have the Marconi RWR fitted which I would say dates them nearer to 76/77. Would these dates stack up with you John?


RN F4Ks first received the RWR in 1975 - so those pics would have been then or '76. In '77 of course, they had the Silver Jubilee nose striping...

:clap: Just wonderful stuff :cool:
You caaan't trust the system... Maaan!

John Eacott
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat 28 Nov 2009, 6:53 am

Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...

Post by John Eacott »

Westy wrote:
John Eacott wrote:some old slides I took about 1974 aboard Ark:


I realise you said "about 1974 " but I have you about 2 years too early. These F4's have the Marconi RWR fitted which I would say dates them nearer to 76/77. Would these dates stack up with you John?


I left Ark in May 1975! My last trip was Brazil, they could have been taken then: I'll check the Ark year book and let you know.

John Eacott
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat 28 Nov 2009, 6:53 am

Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...

Post by John Eacott »

Earlier shots: about 1973, IIRC ;)

Image

Image

Image

I was in the stbd wait when this F4K did a low pass for a gear inspection by Flyco. NLG extension was a perennial problem, ISTR

Image

Not a lot of clearance all round: and how we all hated operating Sea Kings from 6 Spot, out of sight of Flyco, and out of mind :roll:

Image

This will narrow down the dates: I'll look for any landings I did on Indy ;)

Image

Post Reply