Some Phantoms - quite old ones...
Some Phantoms - quite old ones...
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.
Next is a VF-31 F-4J at Oceana in October 1978...
VF-33 Oceana August 1975...
VF-51 F-4B at Andrews in September 1972...
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...
One month later, I ran into VF-51's F-4N CAG-bird at Miramar...
This VF-92 F-4J was a visitor to Andrews in February 1972...
At home base between cruises, a VF-96 F-4J...
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...
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...
Miramar's 1975 open house featured VF-111's F-4N CAG-bird in the static display...
Two years earlier, in October 1973, a VF-114 F-4J at Miramar...
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...
Also to be seen amongst more than 100 Navy Phantoms at Miramar in October 1973 was this VF-142 F-4J...
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...
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.
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.
Point Mugu was home to VX-4 which included this F-4J in its varied complement in October 1975.
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...
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.
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...
Next is a VF-31 F-4J at Oceana in October 1978...
VF-33 Oceana August 1975...
VF-51 F-4B at Andrews in September 1972...
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...
One month later, I ran into VF-51's F-4N CAG-bird at Miramar...
This VF-92 F-4J was a visitor to Andrews in February 1972...
At home base between cruises, a VF-96 F-4J...
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...
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...
Miramar's 1975 open house featured VF-111's F-4N CAG-bird in the static display...
Two years earlier, in October 1973, a VF-114 F-4J at Miramar...
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...
Also to be seen amongst more than 100 Navy Phantoms at Miramar in October 1973 was this VF-142 F-4J...
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...
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.
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.
Point Mugu was home to VX-4 which included this F-4J in its varied complement in October 1975.
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...
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.
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...
I am not a loony... I used to be, but I think I am better now...
Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...
They are absolutely superb Dan!!
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
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
Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...
Superb Lindsey, VF-111 CAG is a beauty...
Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...
You gotta love the F4, those are fantastic !
- 121decimal5
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Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...
Those jets are pure pornography!
You lucky devil!
You lucky devil!
Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...
121decimal5 wrote:Those jets are pure pornography!
You lucky devil!
I'll second that, absoulety supurb stuff Many thanks for sharing these
Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...
Ahhh the mighty Toom. Brilliant post, got any more. :clap:
"Nice pics mate" comments only! No criticism please.
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Equipment: Camera, Lens, Goretex Y fronts.
Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...
Cracking photos and dare I say it..................Phantoms Phorever !!!!
Phantoms Phorever !!!!
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Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...
not exactly a phoantom, i know! however they are superb, dare i ask, anymore? preferably where they belong, in the air
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Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...
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 !!!).
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Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...
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.
Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...
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
Take care, Ian
Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...
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
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
Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...
Superb set of images Lyndsey, thanks for taking the time to scan and post them.
Kevin Jackson
www.airpowerimages.com
www.airpowerimages.com
Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...
superb images and great photo record inc. data of the times back when. . .
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Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...
Oooh my giddy aunt! totally Phantastic !
Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...
Absolutely awesome, now for a long shot.............Have you got any Vigilante shots?
Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...
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
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Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...
WOOOOOOOOOOOW all US Navy Tooms too
Made my day today, specially since most of the images are F-14 Sqns
Made my day today, specially since most of the images are F-14 Sqns
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Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...
If I can bring this back to the top: some old slides I took about 1974 aboard Ark:
Then there was the USMC F4 that went U/S when we went into Valletta and was comprehensively zapped
Plenty more.
Then there was the USMC F4 that went U/S when we went into Valletta and was comprehensively zapped
Plenty more.
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Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...
What a awesome sight that must have been i would like to see more if you don't mind putting them on.
Chris
Chris
Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...
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?
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Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...
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...
Just wonderful stuff
You caaan't trust the system... Maaan!
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Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...
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.
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Re: Some Phantoms - quite old ones...
Earlier shots: about 1973, IIRC
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
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
This will narrow down the dates: I'll look for any landings I did on Indy
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
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
This will narrow down the dates: I'll look for any landings I did on Indy